Quote:
Quote:
I wouldn't bother with anything other than oxy/acet, I've used them all in my job over the years and have no patience for anything other than what acetylene offers, instant heat and perfect cutting properties.
What are you using Oxy/Acet for Murdo?
I learned how to gas weld using oxy back in the late '90s at college, I have never used it since. For automotive applications MIG and TIG Welding offer greater flexibility and scope, you can do more with them. After restoring countless cars, I would never go near one with a cutting torch, it's old tech, like using a sledge hammer to hammer in a small nail. Modern cutting discs and air saws far supersede them. I have a plasma cutter for complex shapes but I rarely use it.
As for instant heat there are modern MAP gas bottles and rothenburger heads with fine tips available readily from places like screwfix that do the job perfectly well and just as quick. I got Shauns exhaust off of 138 with the mapp torch, in 30 secs it heated up the exhaust joint until it was red hot, I have also used it to remove stubborn rusted on bolts with the fine tip.
But again, you haven't said what you are using the acet for. I use Hobbyweld for Argoshield and pure Argon for MIG and TIG, the standard bottles should fit the BOC regulators as they are a standard regulator. The Ultra bottles have the regulators built in and use a special connection, this is what I use. Unless you are a full on business then BOC are not cost effective, I have found they are also not interested in dealing with the general public as well.
I'm a welder to trade James, so do all sorts of wee jobs for myself & friends, learned my trade in the oil industry and spent 20 years there before deciding I'd swallowed enough fumes, so changed jobs - I too have used TIG, MIG, Inner Shield, Dual Shield, Sub Arc, Oxy/Acet and Brazing, each with their own unique qualities/properties/uses.
Admittedly the oxy/acet would 'now' be primarily for heating things up, mostly on cars but the odd job for shaping things like rod bars of differing thicknesses, for gates etc, and very 'occasionally' for cutting through steel sometimes up to an inch thick, depending on what we're doing. But the amount I do now (the older I get) it doesn't justify having BOC bottles any longer, so they're off. So I'm looking for the best substitute that meets those needs, so I can still do the 'odd' bit and 'keep my hand in'.
I could get the cutting done by someone else but it defeats the purpose then of helping friends out, and it costs, plus I enjoy the pottering. I do so little though, I even sold my MIG welder 3 months ago, circumstances change so needs change - I held onto my stik welder as it's cost free, and they're not worth much anyway.
I'm glad the regs fit the Hobby Weld bottles, as there's a local supplier not 5 mins from me, so that saves on buying equipment (so that's really useful to know, thanks), the initial deposit is high though at £185 for both bottles, but refills are reasonable.
I'm interested in the mag torch you mention, I've never used one or heard of it, is it what heating engineers/plumbers use - I've lived a sheltered life in the Outer Hebrides
Register
Login
FAQ
Search
