Arc Captain, RX Weld, or?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So I have three torch sets now, plus two sets of gauges and a couple antique torch heads.

Not one of my three sets has a rosebud heating tip. I have an old Craftsman set that has the interchangeable heads but it’s just a cutting head and a welding head with three or four tips. That was dad’s original set. I don’t know if there’s an option for a Rosebud with it. The other two torch sets I have are cutting torch only. The antique stuff I have is another cutting head or two and a welding head plus a midget torch set.

Came across both an Arc Captain torch set and one by RX Weld that has a cutting head, welding head and rosebud for a reasonable price. RX Weld doesn’t seem to have a website. Arc Captains site is… klunky. Both appear to be Victor-ish? Google AI claims they both work with Victor tips and stuff but I can’t find confirmation. If they accept Victor parts it makes any concern over getting replacement tips a non-issue.

Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a Victor, Harris, or Smith rosebud torch?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

What's the return policy? I recently bought a $50 rosebud for my Victor knockoff torches at Princess Auto. The torches I paid $10 at the PA scratch and dent. It worked great for heating my trailer frame to straighten it.

 

[Shran]

You can't go wrong with Victor. I have their gauges on my big tank set and a couple of their "big" and "small" torches. You can get parts/tips/etc anywhere and some from Harbor Freight and Fastenal are "Victor style", totally compatible. Harris & Smith are probably the same deal, nothing wrong with them either, just not what I started out with. I didn't know this but Smith was actually made in South Dakota for a long time - I have a big huge old torch from them that says Made in Watertown, So. Dak. on it.

My little portable oxy acetylene rig is from "Stark Tools" aka China and the torch is Victor compatible. It's probably a piece of junk but it has worked OK so far and only needs to work once a year if that. If I kill the regulators, I'll buy good ones next time.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

What's the return policy? I recently bought a $50 rosebud for my Victor knockoff torches at Princess Auto. The torches I paid $10 at the PA scratch and dent. It worked great for heating my trailer frame to straighten it.

I’d be buying the Arc Captain or RX Weld through Amazon, they have both sets for $109 right now.

Amazon.com: RX WELD Heavy Duty Oxy Acetylene Torch with Check Valves, Cutting Tip 1-1-101 and 8-MFA Heating Nozzle, CA2460 Cutting Attachment : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: RX WELD Heavy Duty Oxy Acetylene Torch with Check Valves, Cutting Tip 1-1-101 and 8-MFA Heating Nozzle, CA2460 Cutting Attachment : Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/ARCCAPTAIN-Acetylene-Cutting-Attachment-Heating/dp/B0F21WHWX7/?tag=959media-20

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You can't go wrong with Victor. I have their gauges on my big tank set and a couple of their "big" and "small" torches. You can get parts/tips/etc anywhere and some from Harbor Freight and Fastenal are "Victor style", totally compatible. Harris & Smith are probably the same deal, nothing wrong with them either, just not what I started out with. I didn't know this but Smith was actually made in South Dakota for a long time - I have a big huge old torch from them that says Made in Watertown, So. Dak. on it.

My little portable oxy acetylene rig is from "Stark Tools" aka China and the torch is Victor compatible. It's probably a piece of junk but it has worked OK so far and only needs to work once a year if that. If I kill the regulators, I'll buy good ones next time.

One or two of my cutting torches are USG. Think one of the torches was made in PA. I know that the regulators on my shed set are AirCo or something like that and the ones on my shop set are Harris. I’d have to look at the other sets but they probably need new diaphragms.

Really I want a decent torch for the shop that I can switch between cutting, welding, and rosebud. Ideally without spending a fortune. And not something that you can only get replacement parts from a source that may become obsolete. I’m ok with an off brand torch if it works with name brand parts.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

ChatGPT;

 

[ryan]

those arc captain ads have filled up my fb feed. i've been looking at a 220 welder after using a buddy's and it was so much easier than my little 110v flux core. I'm barely learning now, but feels like it would be a lot easier to learn with a tool that does the job halfway decent. For now i'm just stalking fb marketplace for something a little nicer used, but who knows

 

[Roert42]

I would stick with name brand. Can use no name brands for consumables once you know everything works ok with the main kit.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

those arc captain ads have filled up my fb feed. i've been looking at a 220 welder after using a buddy's and it was so much easier than my little 110v flux core. I'm barely learning now, but feels like it would be a lot easier to learn with a tool that does the job halfway decent. For now i'm just stalking fb marketplace for something a little nicer used, but who knows

Yeah, I’ve seen those ads a bunch and I’ve heard of a few people that have their stuff and love it. Been thinking of getting a plasma cutter once I get the shop extended, their price is impressive.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I would stick with name brand. Can use no name brands for consumables once you know everything works ok with the main kit.

My problem with name brands for a torch head is that they are currently out of my budget and I really could use a rosebud tip in the near future, so I was trying to see if a compromise was possible (off brand torch that uses name brand consumables). Then I have a solid supply of consumables and I can step up to a name brand torch later if I desire. I dunno, maybe I’m overthinking things as usual

 

[ryan]

Yeah, I’ve seen those ads a bunch and I’ve heard of a few people that have their stuff and love it. Been thinking of getting a plasma cutter once I get the shop extended, their price is impressive.

I'm really curious if they're paid reviews, would love to see on in person. I was planning on something eastwood level for myself

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'll give my pile of extra parts a look over tomorrow evening, if I have a reasonable extra set I could make you a heck of a deal...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Do more research on what you have. Take the torch handles to the local weldings store, or like I did, to Princess Auto (harbor freight or equivalent) and compare what's on the shelves to what you own. That might save you a bunch of money.
And ask ChatGPT about what fits, load pics and ask it. You can't trust it but I find it gives me directions to search.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'm really curious if they're paid reviews, would love to see on in person. I was planning on something eastwood level for myself

A friend of a friend (I know the guy, known him for years, just not real well) has an Arc Captain plasma and says it’s great. So maybe?

Dad bought a HF Titanium welder and that dumb thing lasted long enough to use a spool of wire and get out of warranty. I have three Lincoln welders: an AC-225 stick, a big PowerMig with a bottle, and an abused WeldPak that I got used. I’ve had some trigger issues with the WeldPak and it needed a new liner when I got it, but it’s pretty reliable. I wouldn’t hesitate to snap up another used Lincoln.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'll give my pile of extra parts a look over tomorrow evening, if I have a reasonable extra set I could make you a heck of a deal...

Cool, let me know! I’d appreciate it.