Mini OA torch

[Tim Green]

Can you advise please.
I have a standard portapak hobby OA setup which I have used quite successfully for years. However I find the torch very clumsy for fine sheet metal work and bodywork repairs and would like something much lighter. I’ve seen many US and other nationalities using small torches for this work but don’t seem to be able to find such here. Am I looking in the wrong place or for the ‘wrong’ thing.
Many thanks.

 

[maroon]

The larger/longer the torch. The less chance of hot $hit falling on your wrists. Long skinny tips. So you can get inside chassis legs/nooks and crannys to captivate nuts ect.

I'd only use a small gun if doing something on the bench. I use an adaptable gun. Two seconds to stick a rosebud on if you need to cherry a nut up or something without having to undo pipes

 

[hotponyshoes]

I have got one of those cheap mini oxy sets, came from screwfix or halfords or somewhere like that.
Only got 2 tips for it for Cutting or heating
It's paid for itself a couple of times just because of the tight places you can get it into especially as the neck is thin/flimsy enough that you can bend it to shape.
Also handy on recessed bolt heads when an induction coil won't fit
I've also used it up a ladder once and it was a lot nicer than trailing up with a set of heavy hoses.
Aside from the access I don't think it's much better than a decent blowtorch though apart from being a bit quicker and lighter which is handy if you are stretching an arm out to reach something with it.

I suppose a decent small torch with a selection of nozzles and possibly some thinner/lighter hoses on quick-connectors would be better as you could use them on the regular bottles but the mini set has its place and, when I do need it, I don't mind paying the £10 for the 5mins the little bottles last

 

[Brad93]

Can you advise please.
I have a standard portapak hobby OA setup which I have used quite successfully for years. However I find the torch very clumsy for fine sheet metal work and bodywork repairs and would like something much lighter. I’ve seen many US and other nationalities using small torches for this work but don’t seem to be able to find such here. Am I looking in the wrong place or for the ‘wrong’ thing.
Many thanks.

The Harris Aircraft models are probably what you want.

Maybe an Old model O or a new Castolin jewellers torch for extremely fine work.

 

[brightspark]

is a type o oxy acet torch any good to you fits on to the standard hoses ?? ive got one kicking around in the shed

 

[Tim Green]

To reply to all hopefully.

The long / big torch feels like eating a meal with two foot long cutlery when doing fine work.

I have looked at the size O setups but they seem to be aimed at jewellery or REALLY tiny stuff but maybe it is what I need.

What I don't quite understand is that I seem to be asking for something quite left field or unusual but if I go on to Youtube and search 'weld thin steel' or 'weld thin sheet metal' the videos appear to show professional fabricators and restorers using torches much smaller than mine. They also have a 90 degree angled nozzle which I would really like to try. I know that Eastwood in the US make their Cobra mini welder which has a pistol grip shaped torch which looks great but I can't buy it here.

Maybe a size O would be worth a try. Very kind offer (If I haven't misunderstood) brightspark but I will try to find one locally and give it a try.

The search goes on

Thank you again

 

[hotponyshoes]

That's the sort of thing I have got.
Probably find it cheaper without the gas.
Probably cost about the same again for half a dozen quick-connects but then you could just swap with your existing torch and use on the big bottles as required

 

[Gragson]

Think I've got similar to that^ Rosenberger Roxy setup, don't know about attaching to big bottles and not sure its suitable for acetylene?

This ones a steal! -> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26593129...9QsAmev3XAv6o8EuUM9Qk3RTg=|tkp:Bk9SR5qa5MT9YA

 

[pedrobedro]

My Portapak came with the Safire torch, is it same as yours ? I find the torch good for everything I've used it for, what problems are you having with it ?

 

[maroon]

i've been doing some searching to find out what torch it is i actually use. found it on ebay.
i have a load of others and a few great big burning torches, but this is the one that's connected all the time and used more frequently.

Pardon our interruption...

that's that exact same torch kit i use. i don't know whether they still make them, that one there that i've got i've had for 20+ years.

 

[Morrisman]

I bought this a couple of decades ago, a fair bit smaller than the usual torch. Not sure if they still make them, or if it's the size you want.

 

[brightspark]

found the model o torch.the biggest nozzles you can fit is a number 5 which is equivalent to just slightly bigger than a standard torch no 1 nozzle. if its big enough its yours for 15 quid plus post i mainly use a no 2 nozzle for gas welding most thin sheet material like car bodywork

 

[leadpig]

found the model o torch.the biggest nozzles you can fit is a number 5 which is equivalent to just slightly bigger than a standard torch no 1 nozzle. if its big enough its yours for 15 quid plus post i mainly use a no 2 nozzle for gas welding most thin sheet material like car bodywork

Is that a open offer

 

[brightspark]

Is that a open offer

only if the op doesnt want it il pm him

 

[zeppelin builder]

look up lead burning torch

want 90 degeee nozzles anneal then bend them

 

[Tim Green]

found the model o torch.the biggest nozzles you can fit is a number 5 which is equivalent to just slightly bigger than a standard torch no 1 nozzle. if its big enough its yours for 15 quid plus post i mainly use a no 2 nozzle for gas welding most thin sheet material like car bodywork

So sorry for the delay in responding. I really appreciate the kind offer but after garnering so many opinions it seems like I just need to get to grips with the full size kit and practice, practice, practice. I've been welding a new wing extension on to a car and still having the same issues i.e. some perfectly good runs of weld and some really poor. Although I am getting a small, low pressure flame, it seems very 'pointy' and never nice and rounded (sort of rugby ball shaped) like so many images and videos seem to show. I have the strong feeling that my flame is just too hot and not giving myself a chance. Thank you offering your 0 setup though.

 

[Tim Green]

found the model o torch.the biggest nozzles you can fit is a number 5 which is equivalent to just slightly bigger than a standard torch no 1 nozzle. if its big enough its yours for 15 quid plus post i mainly use a no 2 nozzle for gas welding most thin sheet material like car bodywork

So sorry for the delay in responding. I really appreciate the kind offer but after garnering so many opinions it seems like I just need to get to grips with the full size kit and practice, practice, practice. I've been welding a new wing extension on to a car and still having the same issues i.e. some perfectly good runs of weld and some really poor. Although I am getting a small, low pressure flame, it seems very 'pointy' and never nice and rounded (sort of rugby ball shaped) like so many images and videos seem to show. I have the strong feeling that my flame is just too hot and not giving myself a chance. Thank you offering your 0 setup though.

 

[Martin-Sy]

My Portapak came with the Safire torch, is it same as yours ? I find the torch good for everything I've used it for, what problems are you having with it ?

I too have the small Saffire torch that came with a PortaPak. Torch is great but the hoses are like elephants trunks and IMHO defeat the object of having a fine torch.
Are lighter, more supple hoses available?
Would this help the OP's problem or is it more to do with getting into restricted spaces?

 

[maroon]

The pointy-er it is the more of an angle you need and have more of a blow through puddle approach (basically borderline cutting it and filling it, you couldn't get better penetration) But you need to be quicker than the rugby ball flame or you'll end up blowing holes. You'll find your bearings if you just keep doing it as to what works where. As not every "workpiece" is the same. And requires different mixtures at different areas where you can get your gun around obstructions at different angles.

To get "rugby-er" you need to increase your gas and lower your oxygen for the same heat. Just lowering the oxygen will give you more of a rugby ball but won't be hot enough. You want your regulator on the oxygen set so a quarter Turn on the gun will go up sharp low glow from rugby ball at the point where the gas alone just starts "fluffing" you want as much control on the gun as possible. You kind of need a middle ground on the valves.

Hoses come in 6,8 and 10mm bore. 6 is fine for welding sheet metal. 10mm is more for cutting girders and whatnot.

 

[Tim Green]

The pointy-er it is the more of an angle you need and have more of a blow through puddle approach (basically borderline cutting it and filling it, you couldn't get better penetration) But you need to be quicker than the rugby ball flame or you'll end up blowing holes. You'll find your bearings if you just keep doing it as to what works where. As not every "workpiece" is the same. And requires different mixtures at different areas where you can get your gun around obstructions at different angles.

To get "rugby-er" you need to increase your gas and lower your oxygen for the same heat. Just lowering the oxygen will give you more of a rugby ball but won't be hot enough. You want your regulator on the oxygen set so a quarter Turn on the gun will go up sharp low glow from rugby ball at the point where the gas alone just starts "fluffing" you want as much control on the gun as possible. You kind of need a middle ground on the valves.

Hoses come in 6,8 and 10mm bore. 6 is fine for welding sheet metal. 10mm is more for cutting girders and whatnot.

That's really helpful about the flame (and the hoses too) Maroon. Certainly a pointy-er flame makes straight fusion welding all but impossible as the two edges just blow apart. Watching some Youtube videos has also taught me that patience is a virtue and time spent on nice close fitting edges and slow methodical tacking before attempting any weld runs is important. I have achieved a rounder flame at times but usually by accident if I'm honest. Also the cheap portapak gauges are pretty useless as below a certain pressure they just bottom out and I'm left guessing. I'm aware though that throwing more money at better kit won't make me a better welder. I know its a practice thing like all skills so I just need to keep buying the very expensive OA and keep practicing.