I'm looking for some opinions

mele miller - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 2:59pm

OK so I finally decided that I had to have a torch. So I looked and looked and researched and asked around. Everything was between Victor and Harris. I thought I had made a decision and I bought a Victor. Now I'm not sure I did the right thing.
What does everybody think?
Victor.... Harris
Harris... Victor
I hate buyers remorse, Mele

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six of one, half dozen of..

man of mettle - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 4:51pm

i say you cannot go wrong with either.

keith

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Personally, I wouldn't own a

Rich Waugh - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 5:03pm

Personally, I wouldn't own a Harris. Victor all the way.

We all have our preferences and biases, and mine is for Vistor. I have found over the years that Victor is better supported in more locations than Harris, and more companies knock off Victor clones wich interchange with Victor torches just fine. So you can save money on tips and things by buying knock-offs from places like WeldingDepot.com. For the handles and valves, I only buy Victor brand name, but I've had good luck with the knock-off tips. Victor gauges are very durable and can be rebuilt whenever performance drops off.

Harris in not by any means bad stuff, I just have had some bad luck with with both Harris products and a couple of their dealers, so I steer clear of them. Others love them.

I think you made the wise choice.

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Rich, Thanks for some actual

mele miller - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 5:35pm

Rich,
Thanks for some actual reasons for the preference. The only thing I could get from people was "some like Chevys, some like Fords" but no real reason why they liked one or the other. I knew I could count on you guys! I feel better now... I think I will go cut something.
Thanks again, Mele

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Mele- I'm with Rich

Rob Sigafoos - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 7:16pm

Mele-
I'm with Rich regarding Victor. I carried Victor in my truck for 30 some years and beat the living bejesus out of them and never had a problem with them.. Last year I had my old set rebulit and they work great!
Rob

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After trying to find a tip

R L Sidebottom - Monday, June 9, 2008 - 10:05pm

After trying to find a tip for my Harris (which I love) on a weekend and only finding Victor parts, I bought a used Victor. Damn handy to have 2. I put a rosebud on 1, and the cutting head on the other.

Rick Sidebottom
Aspiring Metal Artist

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victor harris...harris victor

visitor - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 7:37am

6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other.. i have about 4 sets of torches and tanks... i dont believe you can find one that does it all... mine are set up for diffenent task

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Me too. I am a confirmed

Ries - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 11:01am

Me too.
I am a confirmed Victor fan.
I think the quality is better, the availability is far better.

I like the fact that the torch body is female threaded, while the tips, which are much cheaper, are male- so if the external male threads are damaged, you only have to replace the cheaper part that wears out anyway.
My old White torch was the opposite, and easily damaged.

The only thing about the Victor's is they are too big for jewelry scale stuff, and eventually you may need to buy a meco or little torch as well.

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Thanks for all the great

mele miller - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 1:36pm

Thanks for all the great info. I feel much better now and have used it several times already. The body on this Victor is a little smaller than on the Harris I borrowed. It works much better for me. It's really working great. I'm glad I got a class in gas welding from Chris at the shindig. It was the final straw that pushed me to go ahead and get one. All kinds of new doors open now!!!
Thanks everyone, Mele

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