Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey,

I was wondering if any of you have used a harbour freight brand torch? I am considering buying one soon but I wonder aboout the quality. I dont need it to last for the rest of my career, just 2 or 3 years. whats important is that it can acheive a clean cut on up to about 5/16 mild steel. I have plenty of victor tips.

And are the regulators that come with it any good, sometimes I think that is more important then the torch itself.

rickbreezy wrote:Hey,

I was wondering if any of you have used a harbour freight brand torch? I am considering buying one soon but I wonder aboout the quality. I dont need it to last for the rest of my career, just 2 or 3 years. whats important is that it can acheive a clean cut on up to about 5/16 mild steel. I have plenty of victor tips.

And are the regulators that come with it any good, sometimes I think that is more important then the torch itself.

do a search on you tube..some fellow gives it high marks and he has a couple of sets of victor torches..

tom
http://tomblackart.com/

tom wrote:

rickbreezy wrote:Hey,

I was wondering if any of you have used a harbour freight brand torch? I am considering buying one soon but I wonder aboout the quality. I dont need it to last for the rest of my career, just 2 or 3 years. whats important is that it can acheive a clean cut on up to about 5/16 mild steel. I have plenty of victor tips.

And are the regulators that come with it any good, sometimes I think that is more important then the torch itself.

do a search on you tube..some fellow gives it high marks and he has a couple of sets of victor torches..

tom
http://tomblackart.com/

try this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brhsHH_yqHk

Well, I just bought the Central brand(harbour freight) torch. I cut some 1/2 inch plate in the shop at my work, just to test it out(I have no personal bottles). It works pretty good, although just by looking at the size of the torch you can tell its more of a medium duty type torch. However, as far as memory serves me, I can barely remember cutting anything above one inch steel in my life, and rarely that(the box advertises a 3/4 inch cutting ability.). From the weight and feel, it seems about the same as any victor or smith brand torch I've ever held and the regulators too. The only bad thing I can say about is the kit(one cutting tip, welding tip,extra O rings, striker, goggles, hose, and tip cleaner) comes with the cheapest looking hose I have ever seen in my entire life. Thats definately going to the "extra" pile.

Now I dont know if it'll cut so clean forever, but it was on sale for 90 dollars, and if it bites the dust after a few years, thats ok.

Oh, and it comes with a nice box too, just make sure to peel off all the made in china stickers so no-one at work will laugh you off the job.

-Rick

GX Transport provides express air, road, rail and ocean shipping in the GTA and all over the globe. We also offer truck services for companies.

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