<VV> Torch suggestions

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

>I'd like to get a torch setup for occasional use and would like to be  
>able to cut, bend, and weld.  
>

For welding, unless you are really weird, or learned how to gas weld 
Back When, when there weren't a lot of alternatives, forget learning 
oxy-acetylene for welding -- buy a little wire feed with a gas bottle -- 
great for general welding of both sheet and plate, and almost no 
learning curve -- if you want something more challenging, get a TIG. For 
any arc, get one of the new automatic electronic hoods -- the ones that 
are not the very cheapest work quite well.

As for cutting, the new battery powered Sawzall things are really nifty 
for carving up cars (they seem to cut "better" than the corded ones) -- 
just get a pack of metal cutting blades, a couple extra long ones, an 
extra battery, and a good pair of leather work gloves and have at it.  
It's like having a portable band saw!  And they are great for cutting 
out patch panels at the yard/where ever, exhaust work, pruning trees, 
and of course construction/demolition.  The newer lithium battery packs 
are expensive, but light weight, and there are some new nifty looking 
"one handed" models.

That leaves heating -- well, oxy-acetylene does work well for that, but 
so does a propane torch, if you are the patient sort, and there are 
other gas mixes in those little disposable cylinders that burn hotter 
and they are way more affordable.  And you *can* use an arc welder to 
heat things up.  Richard Finch, yeah, that Richard Finch - he does have 
a "real" job - (see, there is a Corvair connection here) has a pretty 
good Welder's Handbook out by your old HPBooks friends.

But, if you want oxy-acetylene, by all means, go get one -- buy a couple 
good fire extinguishers at the same time, and check the fine print in 
your fire insurance policy.  Check with your gas supplier to make sure 
you can get the mini-tanks refilled/exchanged locally.  There is little 
point in buying tanks, imo -- just get exchangeable bottles at the 
welding supply. (Things may work differently elsewhere than my upper 
left coast experiences on this.)

Bill Strickland