That Airco looks like a 750 series? , in it's day's before BOC(British who bought out Airco and like so many other American companies they did drove them into the ground) was equal to Victor and Harris, Airco torches luckily are still Rebuildable as you know but finding original cutting and welding tips are hard to find and command a premium in good shape.
Love my old Harris 18". I had used Victor torches for years, they're a solid setup. However the Harris feels and performs better for me. That Smith looks like it might be nice for smaller work.
Great info. I got one small torch and shirt bottle and regulator from my best friend who had it from his dad. Haven't even looked at it yet. Didn't know you could get them rebuilt. Again thanks.
found my bigger torches on Facebook market place, 1 like your corcob 1, it had 5 heating heads, the cutter, over 25 cutting tips, a circle cutter, for $100 works great, then I found a midsized Smith 5 cutting tips, only a cutting head, 4 regulators, decent 100' hose tried it out, and gave $60 for all. but it took years to find, as I used my cheap Victor until I had better
if it's the 144 style tips, which is what it looks like, you can find victor part numbers in their catalog. They make a lot older style torch tips, and your welding supply can order them
I agree 💯. I found 4 -6 torches in my grandfather's junk as everyone else called it. I have found so many good tools that nobody else wanted to waste their time with! When you got your corn cob torches did they all come with those jet heads or cutter heads or whatever they're called? I have a corn cob torch that is like brand new but all I have for it is brazing/welding tips.
It''s easy to end up with far more torches, regs and industrial gas cylinders than many shops (I never worry about running out on weekends or waiting for hydro tested cylinders to come back which can be weeks). Study (Weldingweb has excellent info) and learn how to inspect hardware and what's supported by the aftermarket with cutting tips if hunting cutting torches. Victor, Harris, ESAB and its many ancestor classic brands (Oxweld are my favorite, mostly out of production but torches easily last a century), Smith (know the difference between old tips and the later style you do want!) etc are all safe bets. For regulator ease of rebuild Victor SR series win because they're everywhere and kits are cheap (though rebuilds often cost so little if I don't feel like cleaning a crusty one I have it rebuilt instead). BTW I scrap overseas mystery meat torches because I've seen too many mixer fires and poor machining. I won't even resell new ones if they turn up in an auction lot.
The problem with buying old torches and regulators is that you have to know what you're looking for. Some are obsolete and no parts are available to rebuild them. I picked up an old two stage Victor oxygen regulator without looking it over as well as I should have. Turned out to be the original two stage model Victor offered, which is obsolete, cannot be rebuilt, and is utterly useless. Eventually, I'll polish it up, put a coat of wax on it, and it'll be a dust collector for the man cave shelf. FYI, the old Smith stuff carries a lifetime warranty. A few years ago, Miller decided to ruin another company and bought Smith. New Smith stuff only has a three year warranty, IIRC, but they will honor the warranty on the older torches and regulators. This being said, some of the older Smith stuff is obsolete as well.
I've rebuilt obsolete regulators... it can be done. You can easily make your own seat but making a new diaphragm can be tricky. But for the most part, I don't buy the obsolete ones unless they're real cheap and the gauges are pristine , beveled glass and you can unscrew the brass rings.
Seal-Seat lists what they offer for older regulators and while Victor may have dropped the kits the aftermarket may not. Ask kit vendors online what they can get parts for or call Seal-Seat direct.
My friends told me I blow myself up when I started buying used torches and regulators. Now I got a beautiful set a Harris and a set of victors and last week I picked up for vintage regulators to victors and to something else I’ll take them to my local dealer and find out which ones I should put money in, it’s almost a crying shame to buy Chinese when it’s so easy to find American good video
No way in Hades id trustHorror Freight Chinese made regulators. I had set years ago and they leaked out of the box. I picked up a set of Victor regulators for 20 bucks and had them rebuilt for about 125 bucks. They looked like new when they came back.
That Airco looks like a 750 series? , in it's day's before BOC(British who bought out Airco and like so many other American companies they did drove them into the ground) was equal to Victor and Harris, Airco torches luckily are still Rebuildable as you know but finding original cutting and welding tips are hard to find and command a premium in good shape.
I just bought a used torch set with the corn cob type handle, is that handle supposed to spin freely
Mine does a little
I have 250 torches across almost every brand ever made... I rebuild them
Pawn shops and thrift/junk stores you can get lucky sometimes
yup you can
Love my old Harris 18". I had used Victor torches for years, they're a solid setup. However the Harris feels and performs better for me. That Smith looks like it might be nice for smaller work.
Smiths are very nimble, great for repair work like cutting off bearings, heating frozen fasteners etc
Nice I've been looking for a torch ppl nowadays want just as much for the old ones as they do the new !
theres a few gems out there for cheap just keep searching
Great info. I got one small torch and shirt bottle and regulator from my best friend who had it from his dad. Haven't even looked at it yet. Didn't know you could get them rebuilt. Again thanks.
They do come in handy
Always informative & straight to the point! I appreciate you bro 🔥👨🏾🏭💰
Good to know it all adds up
Can you do a how to on the straight cutting torches. Like the first one you showed with only the one oxygen valve
It's the same as a torch with three knobs. Just set the flame up the same
Nice video. And yes the old stuff is such better quality then the new stuff .
found my bigger torches on Facebook market place, 1 like your corcob 1, it had 5 heating heads, the cutter, over 25 cutting tips, a circle cutter, for $100 works great, then I found a midsized Smith 5 cutting tips, only a cutting head, 4 regulators, decent 100' hose tried it out, and gave $60 for all. but it took years to find, as I used my cheap Victor until I had better
good find!
I grew up using a Smith on the farm. They bought a new torch a while back, I’m going to give it a new home...
I have a old 9000 series Airco/ concoa. Concoa is still making the torches and tips. Kioke makes the same style and tips. God bless.
These videos are awesome! Stoked to find your channel!
Welcome aboard!
Thanks for share this usefull informations, best regards from Venezuela
if it's the 144 style tips, which is what it looks like, you can find victor part numbers in their catalog. They make a lot older style torch tips, and your welding supply can order them
I use attc multi use tips to use thesame pine of tips
I agree 💯. I found 4 -6 torches in my grandfather's junk as everyone else called it. I have found so many good tools that nobody else wanted to waste their time with! When you got your corn cob torches did they all come with those jet heads or cutter heads or whatever they're called? I have a corn cob torch that is like brand new but all I have for it is brazing/welding tips.
they all came with the cutting heads
Hell yeah! What kind of quik connects do you use?
i believe they are victor quicks with flashbacks in them
I’m looking to buy my first set up or buy them piece by piece. Any recommendations on what to look for? Thank you in advance
Search marketplace
I got all my stuff at pawn shops and found a good shop to rebuild them. Mines all Victor stuff for the most part.
What’s the price for a set up with tanks and torch
You can find s used set up on Facebook marketplace. If you were to buy it all new you would be probably around $900
Here in the MPLS area, I Usually see used sets of tanks with hoses and sometimes torches on marketplace for $250-350
Hell yeah America! 🇺🇸
BEST COUNTRY EVER SLIM SWIRLY
the real question is how to save money on bottles, lol
I've had luck on marketplace finding cheap bottles
It''s easy to end up with far more torches, regs and industrial gas cylinders than many shops (I never worry about running out on weekends or waiting for hydro tested cylinders to come back which can be weeks). Study (Weldingweb has excellent info) and learn how to inspect hardware and what's supported by the aftermarket with cutting tips if hunting cutting torches.
Victor, Harris, ESAB and its many ancestor classic brands (Oxweld are my favorite, mostly out of production but torches easily last a century), Smith (know the difference between old tips and the later style you do want!) etc are all safe bets. For regulator ease of rebuild Victor SR series win because they're everywhere and kits are cheap (though rebuilds often cost so little if I don't feel like cleaning a crusty one I have it rebuilt instead).
BTW I scrap overseas mystery meat torches because I've seen too many mixer fires and poor machining. I won't even resell new ones if they turn up in an auction lot.
The problem is not the torch but the 799€ for a acetylene bottle can’t find used ones
Whats the website for buying torch tips? Cant find anything for joes welding supply
looks like they went out of business
I forgot more than what you know.
The problem with buying old torches and regulators is that you have to know what you're looking for. Some are obsolete and no parts are available to rebuild them. I picked up an old two stage Victor oxygen regulator without looking it over as well as I should have. Turned out to be the original two stage model Victor offered, which is obsolete, cannot be rebuilt, and is utterly useless. Eventually, I'll polish it up, put a coat of wax on it, and it'll be a dust collector for the man cave shelf.
FYI, the old Smith stuff carries a lifetime warranty. A few years ago, Miller decided to ruin another company and bought Smith. New Smith stuff only has a three year warranty, IIRC, but they will honor the warranty on the older torches and regulators. This being said, some of the older Smith stuff is obsolete as well.
I've rebuilt obsolete regulators... it can be done. You can easily make your own seat but making a new diaphragm can be tricky. But for the most part, I don't buy the obsolete ones unless they're real cheap and the gauges are pristine , beveled glass and you can unscrew the brass rings.
Seal-Seat lists what they offer for older regulators and while Victor may have dropped the kits the aftermarket may not. Ask kit vendors online what they can get parts for or call Seal-Seat direct.
Having your torches rebuilt at your local welding supply is the way! awesome video!
Joe blow welding supply is closed now bro
They were good, American tip is good now
chinese made torches are a bargain .i would buy Chinese tools first all the time .they last for me better than us made.
i have not had the same luck.
Hahahahaha, April Fools fool
@@Lucky13Twice only a fool will pay 100 for something thats worth 10
don’t throw any of those torches away I can use them 😩
My friends told me I blow myself up when I started buying used torches and regulators. Now I got a beautiful set a Harris and a set of victors and last week I picked up for vintage regulators to victors and to something else I’ll take them to my local dealer and find out which ones I should put money in, it’s almost a crying shame to buy Chinese when it’s so easy to find American good video
No way in Hades id trustHorror Freight Chinese made regulators. I had set years ago and they leaked out of the box. I picked up a set of Victor regulators for 20 bucks and had them rebuilt for about 125 bucks. They looked like new when they came back.