Hi Warren,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I've read and watched pretty much everything that's been written and on video on the Henrob, they’ve been around for 29-years so it definitely has the longevity. They're not sold in the welding supply shops as they are not production torches. They're more for artists, car restorers, hobby aircraft builders, etc.

They're also not the take it from the case and start using it the way you have been using other torches for years. There's a learning curve to them and that seems to have frustrated some people. They are low pressure and use a pinpoint flame. A lot of car restorers and aircraft builders love them.I'm interested in one as I have a small workshop with no room (or power) for all the other tools (plasma, TIG) -- I'm not ready to invest in them yet anyway even if I could find the room.

To my current way of thinking, from my reading and video watching, the Henrob is more like a Swiss Army Knife torch. It can be used for cutting steel somewhat similar to a plasma cutter, it will weld steel (including thin with little or no warping), aluminum, braze, etc. With that in mind the price isn't that bad compared to what I'd need to buy to do those same things.

Would love to find a used one which would make it even more affordable. :-)

Bought one about 8 years ago...didn't use it much until I got interested in Metalshaping and started building English wheels.

It's an amazing tool. It truly can weld like a TIG and cut like a plasma.

The thing is, if you've got experience with a traditional torch, you'll find the Henrob difficult to master. The position is different. I didn't have anything to unlearn so picked it up pretty quick. Setting the flame is easy if you pay attention to the instructions. Just like TIG, it's all about puddle management. That's for welding. For cutting it's all about not loosing the puddle. For years I cut a lot of 1/4 and 1/8" tube with it. I finally went to a Plasma because my son's wouldn't take the time to master the torch. A drag tip on a Plasma is idiot proof and my son's are living proof :).

I use a TIG primarily now but I gotta tell you...for the price, you'll never find anything that comes close. Btw, The guy who runs the 'welds like TIG, cuts like Plasma' is a good friend named Jim Spradley. A first class guy! I met him through the MetalMeet community a few years back and he really helped me (and a lot of others) master the torch.

I bought a Henrob torch a few years ago and have not used it except for some brazing and cutting. I can't get the hang of welding with it. Once a puddle forms and sparks start to spray it will hiss and a loud explosion occurs. The flame does not go out. Have you had this experience? What am I doing wrong? Oxygen and Acetylene at 4psi each.

Sounds like you have the tip of the flame too far away from the puddle. When that happens, the velocity of the flame draws in atmospheric oxygen which causes the burning and popping. The tip of the inner blue cone of flame should be just touching the edge of the puddle. Holding the torch at too low an angle can also cause this same phenomenon - the torch should be at an angle of 60 degrees or steeper to the surface.

Hope this helps.

Rich

Thanks for the comment. I will give it a try. A am welding some angle irons (1/8 in thick) and using the medium tip. The inner blue cone is only about 3/8 inches long. Does this sound right?

You might try one size smaller tip, actually. One where the inner cone is about 1/4" long would be about right for 1/8" steel, I think. Your somewhat oversized flame is what is making you pull back, I'd guess.

One thing that always helps when welding is to get your face right down there where you can really see what is happening in the puddle. There's always a tendency to try to stay "out of range" of things, but then you can't really see what's happening.

Rich

Bought one about 8 years ago...didn't use it much until I got interested in Metalshaping and started building English wheels.

It's an amazing tool. It truly can weld like a TIG and cut like a plasma.

The thing is, if you've got experience with a traditional torch, you'll find the Henrob difficult to master. The position is different. I didn't have anything to unlearn so picked it up pretty quick. Setting the flame is easy if you pay attention to the instructions. Just like TIG, it's all about puddle management. That's for welding. For cutting it's all about not loosing the puddle. For years I cut a lot of 1/4 and 1/8" tube with it. I finally went to a Plasma because my son's wouldn't take the time to master the torch. A drag tip on a Plasma is idiot proof and my son's are living proof :).

I use a TIG primarily now but I gotta tell you...for the price, you'll never find anything that comes close. Btw, The guy who runs the 'welds like TIG, cuts like Plasma' is a good friend named Jim Spradley. A first class guy! I met him through the MetalMeet community a few years back and he really helped me (and a lot of others) master the torch.Kerry Pinkerton
Metalshaper

Thanks for replying, Kerry. Like you did, I'll be starting with very little experience in using a torch so it's going to be a learning curve with whatever torch I use. Kevin introduced me to O/A and I liked using it and the versatility of it amazes me -- this is all new to me. Read quite a few posts that said that learning to weld well with O/A will make me a better welder with anything else, so I'm interested in learning.

Yesterday I spoke with Mark of Cobra Torches and Dale of Portable Welding Torch about the Henrob 2000. I have to say from a friendly, take time to talk with you and willingness to help with information and tips, those two are pretty amazing. Both even gave suggestions on looking for a used one so I really didn't get the idea they were trying to sell me anything, they just love the torch.

In my research I read about Jim, seen his videos, and seen pictures of him teaching on the MetalMeet site.

Still a bit on the fence. Looking at the Meco Midget and a crate of jigsaw blades, as an alternative, too. :-)

P.S. Just spoke with Jim, nice guy -- all the Henrob guys seem to be quite nice and really into the product, interesting. He said "Hello" and said he should be seeing you soon.

Yeah, Jim and I are both going to be at a metalmeet in NW GA this weekend.

Kerry Pinkerton
Metalshaper

Say hello for me. He's shipped/shipping me a DHC-2000. :-)