Acetylene regulator
 

I think my Victor acetylene regulator of 30 years has given up the ghost. I was looking at acetylene regulators on eBay and there are a lot of cheap, I assume China made, regulators for $25 to $40. The Victor regulators are $100 and a lot higher. That is a big difference in prices. I am wondering if there is a big difference in the function of the regulators. I am an occasional user, mostly using the torch to heat rusted nuts and bolts to free them. If anyone has information on the cheaper ones as far as working OK or not, please post their experience.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

For what it's worth, I have a couple of Chinese regulators that I use for Argon and another for Acetylene. They have been working flawlessly for about 5 years now.

Regards
Bill

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

I ditched acetylene, now use LPG.

No bottle rent.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Most welding supply stores can have them overhauled in the area of $100. I would check on that before purchasing what could be C'junk.

John

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

There are single stage and dual stage regulators. If you want steady pressure control, like for welding, you will want a dual stage regulators. Some of the cheapies are ok, just make sure you get a dual stage.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

I only use the gas welding outfit for heating rusted/frozen nuts and bolts. I never use the torch for welding (I failed a gas welding class long ago), brazing or cutting. In fact I have never used the cutting torch since I bought the welding set over 30 years ago. I have a Lincoln SP100 MIG w/Argon-CO2 gas welder that I do ALL my welding with and it works great. Does that mean a single stage is good enough for heating rusted fasteners, as it seems like it would?
Rusty Nelson

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Amen. Would you buy a Chinese fire extinguisher and expect it to save your life?

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Try the Garage Journal (sister site) great & knowable people.
Bob

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Are you forgetting the Kidde recall! Just because it's made in the US does not mean it's good.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Craigslist is my go to. Just checked my area and you can get what you need for 25 to 65 bucks. Welding or tank suppliers may have some for cheap

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Single stage will work fine for most of us. The last pair of tanks I got both had leaking valves, and I lost well over $100 worth of gas in one month. I only got to use my torch for about 10 minutes. I never went back, and have since learned that welding shop is now out of business. Screwed again.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Probably just needs a new Diaphragm! (CHEAP!)
Bill Fixit

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Gauges are cheap compared to the cost of acetylene over time. if they do not work correctly or leak. buy good gauges, they will save you money in the long run and last for years.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Check with your local welding supply shop about getting rebuilt, might be less $ than you think

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

I checked with my local welding supply shop today. The fellow there said he could check the regulator with soapy water and see if it leaks. I am pretty sure it does, however it would be nice to know for sure. I think I may have lost some acetylene due to the leak. He said it was $70 to get the regulator repaired. The concern I have is, this is the third time I have had problem with the USA made acetylene regulator. The oxygen regulator has never had a problem.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Get a repair kit. Fix it yourself for $20. That is what I did and the regulator works fine now. Here is a link to Amazon but you can just do a Google search and come up with more parts suppliers.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_6h2p7o49ny_b

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

I've had some problems with leaky tank valves lately.I could smell a little gas when the tanks were on,so I thought I had a regulator going bad.Sprayed tire soap on it and found the valve was weeping around the stem when open.It happened on two fresh tanks.Gas has gotten expensive.Acetylene-$148.Oxy_$68.70-30 argon mix-$111. When I got my first set of torches oxy was $8.and acetylene was $12.I also was making $1.60 an hour.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Always back the adjustment it will help get a longer life out of the diaphragm which might be the only thing wrong with it. Take it apart and check the diaphragm for cracks. I have made diaphragms for my air regulators which are about the same thing from brass shim stock. I have seen plastic diaphragm's in regulators but all of mine have brass ones. I even made one out of a Gal thinner can a couple of times.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

I had mine rebuilt at welding store for less then 100.

Re: Acetylene regulator
 

Rebuild it yourself, Easy, cheaper than having it done, and Victor parts are available

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POU7Zc8ONOM