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Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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New gas gear is so cheap these days it's really not worth buying really old used kit. If you buy it new the chances are the person selling it can give you a bit of training to get you using it safely.
If not I'd strongly reccommend you give gas equipment a very wide berth until you find someone who can.
If not I'd strongly reccommend you give gas equipment a very wide berth until you find someone who can.
Burdekin
Chief Bodger
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Any recommendation Jim?
Burdekin
Chief Bodger
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Thanks Jim but just thinking I probably need to renew my old set, they're getting on and had plenty of use. Wouldn't mind having a go with this set to see how it welds 1mm sheet metal. http://www.weldequip.com/model-o-workshop-pro.htm
Anyone used it?
Anyone used it?
Bill Edwards
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No, but looking at it I can't help but think it looks a little toy like! It's probably OK if you'll never do thicker than 1mm but it doesn't look compatible with a standard torch or standard nozzles so you'd be limited with it.
You certainly don't need anything that small for 1mm sheet - it sounds thin but in gas welding terms it's like plate! I remember buying extra welding nozzles, sizes 1 and 2, so I'd be able to do thin stuff. I don't think I've ever used them, despite welding stuff which has literally rotten away and is nowhere near 1 mm thick. I think 3 is the smallest I ever seem to use. I was welding some sheet the other day, not sure of thickness - perhaps 1.5mm ish? - and nozzle 5 was too small and while rummaging for the number 7 came across the 10 first so used that. Although it was a bit big it wasn't unmanageable.
The only advantage I see to a tiny set is that the hoses and torch may be a little lighter and more flexible. It seems a lot for what it is mind, but I could be well out of date on the price of gas equipment.
You certainly don't need anything that small for 1mm sheet - it sounds thin but in gas welding terms it's like plate! I remember buying extra welding nozzles, sizes 1 and 2, so I'd be able to do thin stuff. I don't think I've ever used them, despite welding stuff which has literally rotten away and is nowhere near 1 mm thick. I think 3 is the smallest I ever seem to use. I was welding some sheet the other day, not sure of thickness - perhaps 1.5mm ish? - and nozzle 5 was too small and while rummaging for the number 7 came across the 10 first so used that. Although it was a bit big it wasn't unmanageable.
The only advantage I see to a tiny set is that the hoses and torch may be a little lighter and more flexible. It seems a lot for what it is mind, but I could be well out of date on the price of gas equipment.
Bill Edwards
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I can't really make any recommendations on regulators, I'm sure some others will be able to. They're supposed to be replaced after 5 years, though personally I don't think this is necessary and simply try to look after mine (which are as old as the hills) by always winding them down after use to relieve pressure and prevent any harshness when the cylinder is next turned on. I am certainly not suggesting or recommending this though, it's a choice on my part. Plenty of work environments wouldn't permit this so in many situations regular replacement is unavoidable.
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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The kit is expensive as the Model'O' torch is sold in low volume and the regs are multi-stage. This makes them twice as expensive as single-stage and Hi-Lo is a good make. The torch is really designed for leadworkers or jewlers and you could get by welding ordinary stuff with a standard lightweight shank/mixer combo.
backpurge
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The reason for recommending regulators and flashback arrestors are exchanged after 5 years is due to internal seals etc perishing and absolutely nothing to do with how much they have been used , they could have been sat in a box in the stores for 5 years and never been used, it makes no difference according to BCGA guidelines
brightspark
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40 years -
40 years -
brightspark
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they don't make em like they used 2
Seadog
Save the planet. It's the only one with rum!
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Jim, what does 'well looked after' mean if you're stating that even new and unused they can fail after 5 years?
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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I'd have thought it would be obvious, physical damage and abuse is what causes most failures. Smashed guages, bent stems, doctored pressure relief valves...
If the reg gets handled with care and the pressure screw is backed off at the end of the shift and the pressure vented then it should last a long time. However this is my no means a guarantee hence the reccomended 12 month interval for a full system safety examination.
As well as the full test users are expected to carry out their own pre-shift checks and do a leak test whenever a component is replaced or when changing a cylinder. In general people are so blasé about gas safety none of the above happens and people are really suprised when an incident occurs.
If the reg gets handled with care and the pressure screw is backed off at the end of the shift and the pressure vented then it should last a long time. However this is my no means a guarantee hence the reccomended 12 month interval for a full system safety examination.
As well as the full test users are expected to carry out their own pre-shift checks and do a leak test whenever a component is replaced or when changing a cylinder. In general people are so blasé about gas safety none of the above happens and people are really suprised when an incident occurs.
