Gas Welding: Why wouldn't these o/a gauges work?

[Slide]

Attention Gas Welding Gurus:

A good friend of mine recently gave me some gas welding equipment he had from his days in the Navy. In looking to get some new torch handles & tips, the Airgas counter dude tells me these gauges are not for tanks, but for manifolds. This particular Airgas dude is a saleman all the way, so I don't really trust him, so yall tell me right on this.

I just checked and the gauge fittings easily screw onto the fittings on my tanks, so that in itself is not an issue.

I'll post pics of the gauges in question in replys following this post.

I should also add that I want to do this right (read "safe"). If I need to buy new gauges, just tell me. Those starter sets from Victor look like a reasonable deal rather than buying all the separate parts.

[Slide]

Oxy gauge:

[Slide]

'nother view of oxy gauge:

[Slide]

acetylene gauge:

[Paul]

I would start with a more modern and fresher setup

those are more than likely just as crusty inside as they are outside.

..the ac fitting is not the modern standard you see on most tanks..

if you have to buy torches anyway you might as well pick up a complete setup.

if you can't spring for new, check around some pawn shops, sometimes you can find good deals there.

don't buy cheap off brand stuff either, get good heavy brass American made stuff, like Victor.

my first set I bought thirty years ago was some imoprt crap made of aluminum,

when they crapped out nobody would service them or supply replacement parts.

most every weling supply shop can service Victor.

Paul

[ray]

i'm no guru, but i see no problem. i would rather use those crusty old regulators than brand new harbor freight quality ones. fwiw i got a box of manifold type stuff, and it ain't like that, the regulators for a manifold only have one gauge on them, a low pressure gauge because the high pressure is on the tank to manifold connection, i think he's blowing smoke up your ass, try another welding supplier.

[REDDOG]

slide, im from mesquite, and if you went to the welding shop there by the rail road tracks, those guys are jack asses, let me know if you need some help with anything

reddog

[Slide]

Reddog- yah, that's the one. I bought my MIG welder there about a year ago. They gave me the best price, but they are definitely salesmen!

Do you know of a better place to get my welding equip?

Thanks for the input yall!

[Crosley]

A new acetylene guage would be a very wise investment. It is a very explosive gas.

[Slide]

Crosley, you are probably right. It's really looking like I am gonna be gettin a new set. Looks like I can get a set of both regulators, hose, cutting and welding torch, etc for what I can get the regulators for. And that's all Victor stuff.

Again, I appreciate everyone's input.

[REDDOG]

i got my tig welder there also(10yrs ago), i use mitchale welding, there is one in seagoville and in terrell, but if you know what you are going to get, go where you can get the best deal, what part of mesquite do you live?

[Deuce Rails]

I think that those gauges could have two potential problems:

1. They're leaky and therefore unsafe.
2. They're not accurate or consistent.

You can check the first out with soapy water to test for leaks. Just be safe.

If they're not accurate, that's not a huge deal. You can still adjust the final mix on the torch itself. If, however, they don't regulate the flow properly and consistently, then I'd get rid of 'em.

--Matt

[willowbilly3]

I use the place in Terrell. I am not sure where they are pricewise and it really doesn't matter to me because they know their shit and they treat me right. Also they never give me a hassle about bottles. Even if I take one in there that isn't their brand they will just fill it for me if the inspection is currant. Most places I have been I get treated like a felon over those dam bottles.

[Slide]

Thanks for all the info, yall!

Reddog- I live just off Gross Road between 635 and 80. Where you at?