On Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:43:32 -0800, Enoch Root
wrote:

Today I bought and dragged home a welding outfit and I want to know if I
done good.

I paid $300 for:

40cf c2h2 tank 200psi (missing knob, I used a wrench to test)
60cf O2 tank 2000psi
sturdy hand truck for the above.
~25ft hose (gas and oxy) no cracking when I bend it
2 weldmark cutmaster regulators (apparently they're made by victor?)
(see below)
victor torch handle (wh-260c)
victor rosette (6-mfa-1)
victor cutting attachment (ca-250)
victor welding tips, 3 (0-w-1, 2-w-1, 4-w-1)
Original "super-Range" box and styro packing
Victor "oxy-fuel welding, cutting & heating guide"

All the copper is red-orange, all the brass is yellow, except the
largest welding tip is a bit discolored. They're all smooth and show
factory milling marks.

I didn't test it 'til I got it home. I found that initially the
acetylene regulator wouldn't stay at the original pressure I set it too
on the low side (3psi), and that when I was easing it up there was, for
a section of turn, no change in pressure, then a chunking sound when the
pressure jumped up a couple psi, then repeat... no change, then a chunk.

When I brought the pressure up through another chunk to 5psi, the
pressure remained constant. I don't know (yet) if lowering it to 3psi
again will show constant pressure when I open up the torch gas...

I used the rosette to test... I couldn't get the flames described in the
manual with that and don't know if I'm getting a good flame, but it was
way too bright to look at without protection anyway, and you can't see
colors through that glass!

I'd try again with a welding tip, but I'm reluctant to litter my place
with more soot.

The thing is, I was so eager to get this I didn't quibble about the
price, and the guy's real straight, clarified the price of each item for
me, and it felt good. He said the tanks are $100 each and you get them
replaced when they're filled, or charged that if you don't already have
them, so I got that welding kit minus the tanks for $100...

er

Sounds pretty good. You might want to check to see who will fill
them. Not all places will accept all tanks, though they tend to be
less fussy about the smaller ones like yours.

If your acetylene regulator turns out to need work, it's not horribly
expensive to have them rebuilt -- or buy a rebuilt. The last one I
bought, a Smith I think, was about $35.

You shouldn't be getting soot if the torch is getting oxygen, and the
(blue) flame from a rosebud should not be too bright to look at once
it is getting enough oxy. The goggles are really for working with
white-hot metal that is definitely too bright to look at. I never
use goggles when silverbrazing or heating to red for bending.

If you don't have flashback suppressors, they are strongly
recommended. Not to be overly dramatic, but they could save your life
and your shop. Most welding stores have dramatic photos.....