So my New Years resolution is to do more oxy acetylene welding. I want to do mainly sheet metal work, so I went digging around at work and came up with two old Marquette Aero Jet torches. I am not sure if they can be rebuilt, so I was hoping somebody might be able to point me in the right direction here. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes, and get an estimate before having it done! It might be less expensive to buy a high quality complete new set then having the old torches rebuilt. Been there, done that! Sticker shock is not a pleasant surprise. Gene
Any good welding supply should have a source for equipment repair. And don't listen to the Nay Sayers saying that the old stuff isn't worth fixing. The old equipment like that was actually made with real quality and precision. When repaired well and treated right will last a life time. Not something you can say about the current crop of throw away offshore crap.
try them out before sending them anywhere, if they have O-rings make sure they are good or replace them.
No experience with that brand but I have welded lots of sheet metal and exhaust tubing with gas torches. I would suggest either a Harris or Victor small size rig. The smaller torches are easier to get up into tight places and the lighter weight is nice. Pay extra and get two stage regulators so you don't have to keep stopping to adjust pressure.
These Dillon/Henrob torches are the very best for sheet metal and operate on very low pressure settings. I have one and like it. Not cheap if bought new. Check it out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/COBRA-HENRO...:g:hUUAAOSw241YZBaE&item=371826103338&vxp=mtr Here's another good thread re: torches. http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/henrob-dillon-torch-users-85719/
Absolutely. Same with regulators. I got a "Free" set of Victors with bad diaphragms and all of the 4 gauges were cracked. Cost me $250 to have them restored and flow calibrated. Could have bought new for the same or less $.
I think i might just look for a brand new one. From what I can find there arnt rebuild kits for them. Im not going to try to use the one of them because it was submerged in rusty water at one paint (in the tray of a welding cart left outdoors), and the other one had jb weld and duct tape all over it when i found it. I think ill just keep my eyes out for a small Victor or Harris. Ive heard about guys using jewelers torches too. I need to find another welding supply to ask about rebuilds though, they guy near me is a rip off on everything.
We used those also in the Dental Labs, before everybody got used to Laser welders. This is the new one with (I think a small tip). https://www.harrisdiscount.com/products/supplies/torches/m.products/480/view/706 I'm sure you can get them on web sites with used stuff for sale.
So I finally got a chance to go out in the garage and find my torch. I hadn't used in quit a while and I remember it being a real big unit. It turns out it's a small torch with a foot long giant rosebud tip on it. So I think I'm just going to go buy some nice small tips for it. It didn't have a brand name on it, but I looked up the number on it and it was WH26FC which I guess its an Airgas 'victor style' torch. Does that seem like a good setup for sheet Metal? And thanks for all your input guys. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I too found welding with the cobra/henrob like trying to weld with a ball bat. I found a small torch called a Meco " midget" a lot hander. Small, light and comfortable. And a lot cheaper.
If its in good shape, and has small welding tips, nearly any torch is good for welding sheet metal. The difference between the expensive ones and the cheap ones is how long it will last, and how long parts will be available for it. The reality is, even with the cheap sets, if you take care of it, keep the hoses and gauges in good shape, and use it properly, will last for years. Gene
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