Thank You again for the help so far, I was able to get the uniweld 71 torch for 59.99 shipped, and I'm shopping around for the best deals on everything else. It looks like my initial budget of about 200 isn't going to do it, but that is ok. I was at Harbor Freight yesterday and I saw they have the 20cf Oxygen tanks for 89 plus there is always a 20 percent off coupon, I understand it varies but approximately how long will one of those tanks last? Once again thank you.

Propane uses more oxygen than acetylene. I assume the HF is pre-filled? Not sure if you can get your LWS to refill a tank from HF

This is a convenience vs cost question. The small tanks are easy to transport but don’t have enough volume to last very long. Most people don’t want to be bothered running to the store that keeps regular 9 to 5 business hours very often. But because they are small and light maybe frequent trips aren’t a problem if the store is nearby. The small ones you mentioned are for times when portability is the primary concern. Like for example a plumber with jobs everywhere and may have to lug a unit up and down stairs. Personally I would want a bigger tank. But then that starts the slippery slope of more cost.

Keep in mind that the tanks you originally buy are not the tanks you keep when you go to get them refilled at your local welding supply store. Yours will be swapped out with already filled tanks. Buying tanks really just means you are allowed to be in the rotation pool. My welding supply store will refill these small tanks from Harbor Freight for $12. However if you want to upgrade to larger tanks later (a likely possibility) you probably have to buy your tanks from the LWS. My store sells the 20 cubic feet ones for $115. The next size up (40 cf) costs $175 and a refill $14.

Many local welding supply stores also let you rent tanks. At my store the rental fee is $8.75 a month. That might be a decent option for some.

However you will also need a regulator and flash back arrestor if you are going to buy an oxygen tank. That means your price tag for those 3 items will be around $200. That is well within the price range you can buy a decent used oxygen concentrator. Those are more convenient because you don’t have to transport them or pay for refills. And they are safer because they are not pressurized waiting to become a missile or bomb.

And a word about regulators. I have gotten frustrated with cheap ones because I need to fiddle with the knob settings sometimes when I am brazing to keep the flame like I want it. So I’ve got good ones. But that doesn’t mean inexpensive ones won’t work.

This is a recent quote from an amateur framebuilder in Ukraine that has visited our bicycle/frame shop west of Kiev about his decision to buy a concentrator. “It was the best decision of my life”.

Thank You Again, I have all intentions of getting a concentrator...but I might like a tank also incase I were to.. say go to a buddys house and help him with something that needed an oxy set up. Really just looking for aprox. how much time one would get from a 20cf tank on bicycle tubing.

Doug Fattic said:
04-14-16 11:56 AM
Here is a more detailed description of a propane brazing set up taken from my framebuilding class manual:

A list of brazing equipment from the tank to the flame:
1. A propane regulator (most likely with “B” size American fittings)
2. A flashback arrestor (they come in 2 styles, one for connecting to the regulator and the other – in which the flow goes the opposite way – to the torch handle. A flashback arrestor has a male and female end. The difference between the 2 styles is that flow in the regulator one goes from the female to male end. The one that attaches to the torch handle flows from the male to female end.
3. 3/16” rubber hose (it is smaller than the other common ¼” size). R rated is for acetylene use only. T rated is for use with propane or any other gas including acetylene. If this is going to be connected to a TM Technologies ultralight hose, it should have a B fitting on one end for the regulator connection and A fittings on the other to connect to the TM hose or torch fittings. Hoses can be bought with both A or both B or an A and B fitting. This is the transit hose from the tank(s) to the brazing station. They should travel along the ceiling and not on the floor. If it is used without a light hose than you definitely want one with A/B fittings (that is of course if your regulator has a B fitting). They come in 12 1/2' and 25' (and longer) lengths. Probably the 25' length is best if one is running the hose along the ceiling.
4. A brass male /male “A” connector.
5. TM Technologies ultralight hose. It has A female fittings on both ends but comes with 2 A to B adaptors. This is a luxury item that makes brazing motions easier but it is not essential - especially for those on a tight budget. It is most likely too short (9') to be used as the only hose from the tank to the torch handle.
6. “A” size check valves.
7. An “aircraft” style torch handle with A size hose attachments
8. Whatever mixer/elbow/tips fit your needs. If you are using a Victor torch handle (or compatible) the propane mixer/elbow is a UN-J (or compatible like a 881W mixer). The most commonly used propane specific tips to screw onto the end of the UN-J will be a TEN-2, TEN-3 and TEN-4. The most frequently used one will probably be the size 3.
Last edited by Doug Fattic; 04-14-16 at 03:35 PM.

Like I said earlier I was able to get the Uniweld 71 at a fair price and it shipped today! Woo-hoo. I haven't had any luck finding an oxygen concentrator for under 300 yet but I've got Craigslist and ebay set up to alert me for new listings. Doug Fattic mentioned TM
This is what I plan on as far as connecting oxy&propane to my torch. Am I missing anything? Thank You Again.
Propane Regulator Welding Regulators & Economizers

Grade T welding hose and the ultra light hose Gas Welding Hoses by TM Technologies

Check valves and B size flashback arrestor
Welding Safety by TM Technologies

A to A hose adapter
Welding Hose Adapters, Regulator Adapters, Quick Connects, & Y Connectors