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The great debate..B-Tank or Oxy Ace Torch.....What do you use?

39K views 69 replies 52 participants last post by  eddiegoodfellar  
#1 ·
I am buying myself a torch Tommorow (Before Wed). I have used B tanks with success inside as soon as I have to go outside I gotta block the wind etc. I did not pick the tip size nor did I buy it. I have also used it in school with a rose bud tip and was not a fan. I have also used oxy ace in the field as well as at school. It is way faster and hotter. You can blow a hole in the copper if your not careful. It cost more cause you need 2 bottles.

Do you guys just think I didn't have the right tip for my B-Tank? Should I even bother with that route?
I wanna hear from you guys I will be doing mostly resi installs and commercial repairs.
I work on roofs 75% of the time so I need the tote to carry it but not the cutting handle. Does anyone know the Turbo Torch model # for the oxy ace torch kit with tote and no cutting handle?
 
#3 ·
I prefer b-tank my self. I have Millermatic Mig welder and a plasma cutter for serious situations. I confess that i do have one of those small Mao gas setups from Lowes which i use for small soldering repairs which is definitely hand in some situatiosn!! Funny thing was that i was using at a customers home we put a Peerless Purefire systems and i needed to change a Taco Circ pump and his some was the one that developed the tools lol!! He gave me a case of the yellow map gas cylinders! SCORE!!
 
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#4 ·
I've never used a b tank. Im happy with ox/act. I use a 0 tip for small stuff and a 2 tip for 3/8 and larger.

Every b tank I've seen had a big tip and handle. I don't see how you could get into tright spots with that.

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#5 ·
Air/acetylene is for plumbers! :p

In all seriousness, I've got no issues with air/acetylene, especially since they started making tips for them that don't require hearing protection to use, but you will still need an oxy/acetylene torch for a lot of types of leak repairs, and other work.
 
#6 ·
i used b-tank with #14 tip when in residential.

now that i do commercial i used oxy/act with #0, #2, and #15 rosebud.

if you had to pull a distributor apart you would need a nice rosebud. if you used a btank it would take to long to heat up and the distributor tubes would start to come off.

when repairing evap coils i use the #0 tip with great success.

when doing big r/v 1-1/8" you will need oxy or you will burn it up.

when doing a compressor changeout, i may use my turbo with #14 tip. it depends.

hope this helps.
 
#8 ·
oxy/act for me
 
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#12 ·
So I am going with oxy/Ace I just orderd it.



View attachment 360721


Coming from Ottawa to Toronto should be in tommorow.

The deposit on the bottles is insane more then the torches FML
Bottles cost lots of $$$... govt regs and all that stuff.

I have an extra O2 and Acet in my van... hate to run out.
 
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#14 ·
I like both except I only use a b tank on big installs with lots of brazing. I carry a turbo torch hooked to an MC bottle and a oxy-acet torch. Small repair on a good day just grab the MC and turbo less weight and cheaper. It really depends on what your doing but if just starting out for a first torch for most repairs oxy-acet would be the one to get.
 
#31 ·
Yup, you'll be burnin up parts with the turbotorch. Not enough heat to get the job done fast enough. Not only that, but if you're not runnin nitro trickle, more oxidation inside your pipes.
 
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#35 ·
Smith Quick Braze!
I am absolutely in love with this outfit!!
Hate b tanks. Last place I worked only used turbo torches. I think it was because no one knew how to set-up the oxy/ace rigs. They also went through a lot of TXV's lol
 
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#36 ·
Smith Quick Braze!
I am absolutely in love with this outfit!!
Hate b tanks. Last place I worked only used turbo torches. I think it was because no one knew how to set-up the oxy/ace rigs. They also went through a lot of TXV's lol
Can you post a link?
 
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