Vintage 1979 Purox Oxy Acetylene torch kit

[Tuske427]

Hi everyone:

I just got a sweet little deal on a brand new/ never been used, or even removed from the box, Purox brand Oxy Acetylene torch kit. It still has the plastic caps on it. There was a receipt in the box dated 1979, which means this thing is probably older than some of the members on this board, ha ha.

I did some Oxy Acetylene cutting back over 15 years ago, so I will be a bit rusty until I get the hang of using this again. I intend to learn how to gas weld sheet metal. My question is this:

With a piece of equipment this old- can I just go ahead and use it out of the box, or will I need to rebuild these/ replace the seals? Same with the regulators. Is there a way to test them?

Any suggestions/ recommendations are appreciated.

-Brendon

[DBasher]

Cool find! I'd look over the hoses real well, bend them tight and see if they have cracks and what not. The only other thing is the lil rubber O rings and maybe some check valves...hell fire it up and see what happens!

Dan

[GregWeld]

First of all it came originally from a cool little town -- just in the wrong state...


I'd not use the 1979 hoses.... I'd replace those with new ones. Having an issue with oxygen and acetylene doesn't work out in ones favor. Those hoses are OLD.


I'd consult with a local welding shop about the seals.... and while this is a really cool old set -- maybe someone at the shop is a "collector" of this kind of stuff and might be willing to trade straight across for a brand new version for what you have.

[Tuske427]

Yeah, this (questionable safety with the hoses) is sounding like the general consensus, and agreed, I don't need issues with combustible gases. Fortunately, I don't urgently need to use this, so I can take this down to my local airgas and see what they say.

Thanks, guys!

[Solid LT1]

You should have the regulators checked out too. They can be tested and rebuilt if necessary.....getting acetylene pressures wrong can have lethal consequences.

[David Pozzi]

Check the little o rings on the attachments for cracks. It looks like it was stored in a very protected area & looks great. Inspect the hose carefully, they usually fail near the fittings. I use a 5 foot longer hose so I don't have to move the cart around as much, plus it's a slightly thinner more flexible hose than what comes with some kits.
Try the regulators, if bad, the output pressure will slowly creep up. They can be sent out for rebuild. Most supply stores have loaner regulators.

[Tuske427]

Thank you all for the continued suggestions. Will definitely have them checked out first. I even reached out to Purox, but no reply...

[Black93GT]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

I'd not use the 1979 hoses.... Those hoses are OLD.

Hey what are you trying to say??? Would you be implying those of us with a simmilar born on date are old???

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Black93GT

Hey what are you trying to say??? Would you be implying those of us with a simmilar born on date are old???

NO!! In People years that's YOUNG.... now - if you were born in the 50's... that's another story.

[waynieZ]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

NO!! In People years that's YOUNG.... now - if you were born in the 50's... that's another story.

Hey ! now I resemble that remark.