torch recomendations

[WonkyEye]

Hi All,
I was looking at the smith little torch or the gentec small torch.  Does anyone have these and able to recommend give a thumbs up/down for lock work and other gunbuilding tasks?  What I'm thinking is a small brazing torch, regulators with MC acetylene bottle and R oxygen bottle for around $500 if possible.

I currently have a propane/map pro setup, and it works for very small parts, but I used it to harden a frizen and it was a nightmare, even with 2 torches at the same time, just not enough heat. I need a forge or an oxy/fuel torch. The torch seems more versatile, but is something I would only use a few times/year.  Acetylene seems the way to go, but oxy/propane would probably work well for what I need too. I do see it's a big investment to get something like a victor medium duty + regulators + bottles and honestly it's probably overkill I doubt I'd ever use it for cutting.  The most use it will ever see will be silver soldering or as I said heating lock pieces and other non-gunbuilding small parts for heat treating.

[P.W.Berkuta]

The MC size tanks, and torch are - in my opinion- too small to be useful in most situations. Back in the late 60's I purchased a Turbo-Torch propane plumbers torch set-up and thought that would be enough for what I wanted to do. Boy - was I wrong - it was fine for heating and soldering small parts but that was it. I then purchased a Victor model 100 O/A torch kit and that took care of all my needs to this day - 65 years later. I did change tank sizes because the large tanks I originally purchased became too heavy for me to transport back and forth to get refilled. I traded in my large tanks for a set of smaller tanks that I can now handle very easily. I recommend that you get this torch kit from Amazon <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GNQS3HF>. It only cost $67.99 (Walmart has it for $59.xx) you only need the gauges, hose, and tanks, and I recommend the "B" size Acetylene tank and the 40 cubic foot oxygen tank. This will do everything you will need to do. Good luck.

[Jim Kibler]

We purchased a small oxy acytelene torch sold under the name “The Little Torch”.  I’ve not used it, but the guys here seem to like it.  Less than $200.

[davec2]

I use a "Little Torch" O/A rig all the time...mostly for jewelry and silver work, but also for a fair amount of gunsmith work as well.  It comes with 5 tips.  I use the largest one most of the time but have used the tiniest one for soldering very fine gold chains, etc.  ( I have actually welded two needles together inside the end of a recessed filter cigarette without burning the paper with this tip !!!)   However, the torch is too small for things that require a lot of heating but perfect for fine work.  I also have a Victor O/A rig for cutting and welding and very large heating jobs.  The best intermediate torch I have is a Pres-to-Lite acetylene / air torch.  I use it for centrifugal casting, brazing, heat treating, etc., etc.  Comes with different size tips.  Only one regulator required and any size acetylene tank......

https://www.norco-inc.com/ASSETS/DOCUMENTS/ITEMS/EN/ESB-02X93-Brochure.pdf

You can find used or new ones on eBay fairly inexpensively.... like here         

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145939752837?itmmeta=01J4WJ4ZZR9E8MPRC9GS0BCDED&hash=item21faafe785:g:Rt0AAOSwUDRmtVK8

[P.W.Berkuta]

I've used a Pres-to-Lite acetylene / air torch system when in high school in 1965. It was a nice set-up to use for most things except for welding or cutting. You still have to buy a acetylene tank so why not add a oxygen tank so that you can have the option to do more if you need to. I like the versatility of a O/A outfit - my two cents worth.

[WonkyEye]

One for the little torch, one against, one for the prestolite, one against, 2 for a medium duty O/A.
I'm still lost but I appreciate the feedback.  One takeaway is MC tanks are too small and B is probably what I will do.  I did find a flame tech oxy multi fuel setup.  I believe this would work with oxy propane or oxy acetylene and might be the ticket for a cheap way to get in the game since I already have several 20lb propane tanks.  I believe all I would need is an oxy tank and propane tips, with acetylene to come later if I needed it. 
https://store.cyberweld.com/products/flame-tech-medium-duty-cutting-welding-heating-outfit-ftvmd-22

[Jim Kibler]

I don’t think you’ll go wrong with oxy-acytelene.  It all comes down to the size of work you want to do.  The little torch I mentioned is big enough to do most gun related tasks.  I think it would work fine for heating a frizzen.  We use it for soldering underlugs and it does well.  If you want to do bigger work, the next size up might be beneficial.  It would probably be more versatile as well.

[Bob Roller]

I have used the Presto lite "B" cylinder acetylene since 1965 for main springs and frizzens and so far so good.Tempered with a smaller torch on springs,tumblers and "flys".Sold in hardware stores but I can't remember the name.Been a while since I have done any work in the shop.
Bernz-o-matc! Feeble mindedness is setting in.
Bob Roller

[WonkyEye]

I don’t think you’ll go wrong with oxy-acytelene.  It all comes down to the size of work you want to do.  The little torch I mentioned is big enough to do most gun related tasks.  I think it would work fine for heating a frizzen.  We use it for soldering underlugs and it does well.  If you want to do bigger work, the next size up might be beneficial.  It would probably be more versatile as well.

I watched one of your videos where you filled an oblong hole in a lock plate for a customer, was that an air/acetylene turbo torch?

[Jim Kibler]

Yeah, probably was.

[kutter]

O/A is what I have.
A Harris brand torch from some yrs ago. No mini set up but it does everything needed to so.
I use the MC as well as the B size tanks. Depends on what they have sometimes for refill.

The size of the tank doesn't matter as far as what heat the particular torch will give you. Just how much gas capacity the tank(s) have.

The torch I have I use for everything from soft soldering to welding.
I use tips from O to 5 and a Rosebud for quick heating of large objects. The latter a real O2 eater!

I use the torch to weld bolt handles on rifles, cover pits and old lettering on actions, do brazing and hard soldering. Even fix the sno-blower this summer.
That 'O' size tip is a very small flame even from a larger torch handle.

Get something big enough to cover your needs so you don't end up buying a second set-up to do the Larger (or Smaller) stuff the first torch doesn't cover.

[P.W.Berkuta]

I heartily recommend a O/A outfit with the "B" acetylene tank and the 40 cu/ft oxygen tank. It is big enough to do all the work you will ever need for the home hobbyist. You buy this outfit once and you are done. No wishing that "I should have bought this outfit in the first place". I have tips sizes from #000 - to #3 and a rosebud. I also have the cutting torch that came with the set but I have maybe used it 5 times in all the years I've had the outfit. The cost is not much more than the other outfits you are considering. In the long run you will not regret it.

[Daryl]

Sounds like the BEST advice to me.

[WonkyEye]

Thanks everyone, I ordered an O/A kit.  I appreciate the feedback.

[hudson]

With the torch I spent many, many of my younger years as a mechanic. Mostly working then under a car on a hoist, lots of exhausts work lots of building custom systems. I would recommend Smith over Victor, Victor has a machined sear for the tip Smith uses a built in packing. When the head and tip overheats with the Victor the machined seat on the tip often warps so replace do to a leak sometimes the torch it’s self. Smith just tighten the retaining nut if anything. This was quote common when heating the manifold to remove a bad stud or blowing it out a broken one. Smith has or had a lifetime warrantee. You can find used torches at flea markets, remember that warrantee. Get the convertible model so you can cut heat and weld. Don’t go to small with the tanks, you will find more uses for that torch than you think. For extra you can get what they use to call a two stage regulator which is much better for welding and in building up parts good for a much finer adjustment. Tanks you can lease (there can be extra charges there) own or own with exchange. There is a recertification charge along the way. Shop! There can be a lot of options. I know lot of over kill and $ but I suspect it will help some.