Has anyone used bought this kit

[adam611]

Hi all im looking at getting an oxy acetylene kit for use in my garage for some welding, brazing and cutting. Ive seen this kit on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PARWELD-PORTO...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item563b0cee78

and wondered if you more enlightened folk though it would make a good stater kit, or if anyone has bought one and has an opinion.

I have also been looking and wondered what the requirements are for storing the bottles, I would obviously have to tell the insurer. Do i have to put signs on the outside of the garage, inform the fire brigade or anything like that. most of the info i found was aimed at businesses.

Cheers for your help

 

[rtbcomp]

To be honest I would ask your insurer before going ahead and spending your money. If they agree they will tell you what they'd want you to do in terms of storage, signage &c.

Oxy-Propane would probably be a better bet for brazing and general heating.

 

[weldequip]

There's no Flashback Arrestors supplied with that kit, which are essential. "Blowback Valves" (fitted to the hoses) will NOT stop a Flashback.
Look upstairs in the shop for a similar kit supplied correctly

 

[brightspark]

There's no Flashback Arrestors supplied with that kit, which are essential. "Blowback Valves" (fitted to the hoses) will NOT stop a Flashback.
Look upstairs in the shop for a similar kit supplied correctly

it might look cheap on ebay but with pp delivery minus 2 flashback arestors it works out expensive the above is a decent price with the arestors as for having the bottles at home u have the choice .get them and dont be insured . keeping them in garage near the neighbours is a chance u take if the garage goes up in flames mine arent insured but there in a tin garage away from house and nothing flamable where there stored would think it would be hard to insure without meeting the current regs on them

 

[adam611]

Cheers for the advice,

I wouldnt have picked up on the flash arrestors, the ones in the shop look much shinier too! Having done some more research today I think i will get some non rental bottles of propane and oxygen for general use & brazing and then just hire acetylene as and when i need it.

Would you say it is worth paying the extra few quid and getting the Heavy Duty Welding & Cutting Equipment Set so it lasts me longer as my skills increase (hopefully). I can make a trolley up with my MIG, I could do with the practice to be honest!

 

[brightspark]

Cheers for the advice,

I wouldnt have picked up on the flash arrestors, the ones in the shop look much shinier too! Having done some more research today I think i will get some non rental bottles of propane and oxygen for general use & brazing and then just hire acetylene as and when i need it.

Would you say it is worth paying the extra few quid and getting the Heavy Duty Welding & Cutting Equipment Set so it lasts me longer as my skills increase (hopefully). I can make a trolley up with my MIG, I could do with the practice to be honest!

to be honest i have the lighweight gun and 6mm hoses there a lot easier to weld with . the larger ones are heavy and take some moving around. as it said in spec the lightweight will cut up to 3/4 steel and the torch nozzles will weld anything u realy need to

 

[weldequip]

Would you say it is worth paying the extra few quid and getting the Heavy Duty Welding & Cutting Equipment Set so it lasts me longer as my skills increase (hopefully). I can make a trolley up with my MIG, I could do with the practice to be honest!

I'd not bother no. As said above, the torches & hoses are much heavier/bulkier - designed for commercial use; for workshop use stick with the 'Lightweight' gear. I'd also bite the bullet & go straight for the Acetylene - much more versatile gas

 

[pedrobedro]

I have a BOC version with single stage regulators and it has served me well for many years. The small Safire torch is a pleasure to use for welding but I've never done much cutting as the gas disappears at an alarming rate.

 

[adam611]

Thanks again for all your advice,

Hopefully one day i can return the favour & will be able to help steer some knowledgeless but eager fool like myself onto the right path!

As for the insurance thing the garage is brick built and seperate from the house, plus i already have a couple of propane canisters in the garage for the heater and camp stove.

Roll on payday, just have to wait til the missus isnt looking and slide it into the garage. "No love thats not new ive had that for ages!!"

 

[Slim Shady]

I had one like that for about a year but I put new flashback arrestors on it. The light hoses are ok but if you plan to go on site with it, they are quite fragile to the frost. I myself would bite the bullet and get the heavier hoses. I have a 5m set and a 2m set and to be honest they are a bit heavy for workshop use but I prefer to have them so if I ever have to go out and about in the cold I am covered. IMO I would definitely get the heavier torches and welding heads. Sorry to sound like I am preaching but last year I knew someone with that sort of kit and the hoses had cracked in his garage and he badly burned his face and upper body. Only that his son was there the bottles would have gone up and that would be a different story.

 

[brightspark]

I had one like that for about a year but I put new flashback arrestors on it. The light hoses are ok but if you plan to go on site with it, they are quite fragile to the frost. I myself would bite the bullet and get the heavier hoses. I have a 5m set and a 2m set and to be honest they are a bit heavy for workshop use but I prefer to have them so if I ever have to go out and about in the cold I am covered. IMO I would definitely get the heavier torches and welding heads. Sorry to sound like I am preaching but last year I knew someone with that sort of kit and the hoses had cracked in his garage and he badly burned his face and upper body. Only that his son was there the bottles would have gone up and that would be a different story.

if his hoses cracked they must have been old and perished ive had my lightweight ones on 20 years and they have just started to crack at the ends . the size of the pipes have nothing to do with frost its a matter of maintaining your gear .if a pipe bursts and u get burnt its your own fault for not looking after the gear

 

[casement]

if his hoses cracked they must have been old and perished

Yep. If I see ANY cracking or dry rot on a welding hose at work or at home, the entire hose gets cut to pieces and disposed of.

I don't store cylinders inside my home shop. They live outdoors on my welding trailer. My standard is I will walk away from any fire I can't put out, and will not lose a structure. I keep a clear path to the cylinders so I can shut them off if needed. I inspect my nipples and nuts (well, those on the regulators) every time I connect them to the cylinders. (Never drag your nipples on the floor, they won't seat properly if abraded!)

I'm fine with used welding equipment, but ALL equipment should be taken care of and removed from service if unsafe.

 

[Slim Shady]

The hoses were about 2 years old but were a cheap set.