New Torch outfit

[Bulldog]

Hey guys,
Well I went down to the local United welding company today and picked up a new Torch outfit. I bought a Smith MD-510T outfit. It's cool it even comes with it's own tool box. I have a small Victor set but it's kinda light duty for the jobs that I face on the road so that will stay in the shop and I'll take the Smith set with me on the road.
How many of you guys us Smith Torches? Any good?
See ya,
Bulldog

[garybdavis]

I asked this question of the forum a couple of weeks ago and they MADE me go and order a Smith HD outfit. It hasn't come in yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

How much did you end up paying for it if you don't mind me asking?

[Bob Sigmon]

Bulldog,

Smith is one of the best but in some areas Victor and others wins out because of availablilty of tip and other parts. If I had the cash I'd have the Smith!

We use Smith's at the college welding lab where I'm an assistant. They hold up to lots of abuse!

[Bulldog]

Hi Gary,
I didn't go there looking for a torch I was picking up some Tig welding wire. They had the Smith unit on display and when I got looking at it the sales guy started tellin me just how good the Smith unit was. Well next thing ya know I needed a new torch. I said how much he said that he was asking $325 but if I wanted it he would take $300. I have no idea if this is a good price or not. Like I said I haven't been looking around.
Bulldog

[Bulldog]

Thanks Bob,
It's good to know that they hold up well. I'm sure it wont see any abuse in my care...
Bulldog

[Portable Welder]

A little off the subject, When I was younger I used to think bigger is better when one day while I was out on a job and picked up a friend of mines torch I was amazed at how much nicer of a job I could do with a smaller torch tip, so if any of you havent tried a smaller tip you might want to try it.
I own a harris and a victor and prefer the victor.

[martymar333]

you won't be dissappointed......no matter what the cost you can't beat a smith
marty

[neophyte]

What would be the preferred regulator? I know that my grandfather swore by two stage regulators, but he typically ran a lot of hose on the jobs he worked on. For shop use would single stage regulators adequate?

[garybdavis]

I said how much he said that he was asking $325 but if I wanted it he would take $300. I have no idea if this is a good price or not. Like I said I haven't been looking around.
Bulldog

If it's the complete kit with regulators, hose, cutting torch, welding tips, rosebud, etc, the best on-line price is $384. The cutting torch kit sells for somewhat less. Which one did you get?

[Bulldog]

Gary,
It's the complete kit. Tool Box and all. It's a MD-510T not a HD -510T. I made a mistake on the 1st post.
Bulldog

[garybdavis]

$317.50 is the best on-line price for the medium duty dual-guard. That's a very nice unit and you got a good deal.

[cnslmva]

Bulldog,

We use nothing but Smith torches at work (The Heavy duty ones not sure of the model) and I love them. I own Victor and oxweld and still prefer the Smith. We do abuse the devil out of them and they keep on tickin. One of the best features I like is the lead seats on the tips that only needs hand tightening. You didn't go wrong in buying them!

[fun4now]

a single stage is fine, it just means you will have to reajust the gages as the tank emptys thats all. if you are out in the field and have to clime up or down a muddy hill 5 times ajusting the gages it would be well werth the extra $$$ for the 2 stage gages. if its fairly light use in the shop likely you wont have to reajust during a job. the 2 stages realy come into play on big jobs that you will be running the torch long term. for around the shop where you can just step over and reajust as needed its not that big a deal. that being said i'm shoure we all wish we had 2 stagers .

[burninbriar]

If I ever get around to getting a new set I might give the Smith a good concideratoin. I was really angry with them after my Victor set got stollen and I pulled out the old Smiths. I had two sets and finally decided which one I would put into service and when I went to get tips for it I discovered I couldn't get tips for either one. It turned out that Smith had changed the design and the old style tips are no longer available. I did get over being angry as the torches were pretty anciant, they were my fathers old ones from before he died, that was in 87. I really don't know exactly how old the torches are but you cant expect things to remain the same for ever and I'm sure the change was for the better. The main reason I have been wanting to get another Victor Jurnyman is that I still have a lot of my old tips.

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

I have one of those huge ship wrecking torches, it's about 4' long and takes lots of fuel. it pretty much cuts anything. I want to sell it used and i'm not sure how much they run for, anyone know? I aquired it from a friend a few years back. I traded him an old stick welder i had for it. Do plasma cutters cut as nice on heavy material as a good cutting torch? Jus wondering if it would be a good investment.