Henrob 2000 Torch-- all it's cracked up to be?

[Hohn]

Well, I don't have the money for a plasma cutter, an air compressor AND a TIG welder, so this fancy torch is looking like a pretty good option.



Anyone out there have any experience with this torch? I have seen very impressive demos, but that's it.



The torch is pricey for an oxy-acetylene setup, but WAY cheaper than all the above listed equipment.



If you haven't heard of it, check it out at:

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/index.htm





It's only $350 for the whole shebang, so I might try it. I figure that even if it is trickier to use, then it's worth the challenge for the money savings over a full plasma/TIG setup. I plan on teaching myself to weld, so I don't have any bad habit to break when learning this torch.



The beads in the demos looked REAL smooth-- just like TIG.



I also like the fact that you have a simple OA setup instead of all the complexities (and cost) of a MIG or TIG welder. Could be perfect for a hobbyist like me!!







HOHN

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Looks like a decent hobbier set Hohn! I might jump on the wagon with ya (In a month or so)

 

[HoleshotHolset]

TIG has a lot of advantages over gas welding... . too many to list.



I bit the bullet and bought a Miller TIG... . then Dad turned around and bought an oxy-acetylene setup.



Next on the list is a plasma cutter - Hypertherm only!



TIG isn't as hard as folks make it out to be - I was making good beads in a few minutes of picking up the torch - prior to TIG welding I only did very little stick work.



Once you go TIG - you never go back.



Matt



On edit: I saw a few videos on that website - pretty impressive for a gas setup. BUT - you still get spatter and the heat travel is very excessive.

 

[esommer2500]

Just started working TIG in welding class last week. Different. I have become accustomed to stick and MIG, but there are some applications where these simply aren't an option. I don't think I am sold on TIG as an end-all, though I have heard more than one person say all you need is a TIG welder and a plasma-cutter and you can do almost anything.



The Henrob looks like a decent set-up for the average garage, and the price seems very reasonable. I'm going to show it to my old man to see what he thinks. If nothing else, I think that the cutting attachment would beat the hell out of a regulay Oxyacet torch.



When are we going to see the "Ultimate Metal Machine"? A combination of all three welding processes with a plasma-cutter built in to one machine?



Eric

 

[d90boy]

I like my Syncrowave 250X pretty well, I've never tried gas welding. I could use some more power though, I may sell it soon and go to that Lincoln precision TIG 355. It sounds like that Lincoln TIG is a good unit.



How well does aluminum gas weld? I pretty much just use the TIG when it's aluminum or I want a small but high quality weld on mild or chro-moly steel. Otherwise it's Millermatic 250X all the way. I've used the Hypertherm plasma a little bit but bought an ESAB powercut 1125 for myself, it seemed to be a good unit as well and I know some guys who have totally abused a PCM 875 and it still works well. What I love about plasma cutting is how there is very little heat transfer to the surrounding areas, it's just amazing. It just vaporizes the metal and blows it out so quickly.



I've never seen that little torch setup but it looks like an ideal thing for travelling. I may have to look into it as well.

 

[Hohn]

heat travel

I don't think the heat travel is that bad with the Henrob setup.



If you look at the example videos, he cuts through that 1/2" plate steel then handles it with bare hands! This is not just after one cut, but after four cuts, one of which is a wavy pattern designed to show how you can "draw" with the cutter. He was putting a LOT of heat into the end. I would think it would be as effective as a plasma cutter in this regard, since the extra tip basically just blasts pure oxygen through the metal.



In many of the other videos, he also wears no gloves. On the tiny pieces like sheetmetal, he picks them up with a channel-lock pliers, but that's understandable.



I also don't think the spatter is that bad-- the videos it seems to be mild, and again, he doesn't wear gloves, so the spatter can't be that bad.



Granted, the demo welds don't have that neat "stitched" look that a good TIG gives you, but they are good beads nonetheless (from what you can make out) and they show good penetation.



I am sure that it isn't QUITE as good as a TIG welder, but look at the cost difference! If you can get me even REMOTELY close to the quality of a TIG for a $350 oxy-ace torch, then that's a screaming deal in my book.



Not to mention not having to have huge electricity nearby, no risk of electric shock, and not having to have the metal super-clean.....



Might not be pro-grade, but it sure seems to be good enough for 90% of anything I would ever touch (mostly sheetmetal and chromemoly tubing).



Hohn

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Hohn: Buy it and tell us how much you love or hate it.



I'm just going on what I saw on the videos... . He welded up a piece of sheet metal... . and you could literally see the heat transfer discoloration spread across almost the entire surface of the sheet metal.



I'm a HUGE fan of plasma - when I win the lottery I'm going to buy a NICE Hypertherm unit.



I'm only a hobbyist - but my Miller TIG machine has never ceased to amaze me.



Let's stir the pot a little - TIG (usually) uses Argon a nice inert non-flammable, non-explosive, non-reactive gas. Even if you want to get fancy - you still only use a CO2 blend or straight CO2.



An Oxy-Acetylene setup uses two dangerous gases. Acetylene is highly unstable and we all know how hazardous it is to have a pressurized tank of O2 laying around.



No flames (or puns) intended... . I'm just trying to bring up some facts about Oxy-Acetylene setups... . not trying to make anyone upset.



Matt

 

[d90boy]

I agree about the oxy setup, i just love those flashbangs that happen and make me crap my pants! Seriously though I see getting shocked as a remote possibility, I've done a lot of welding and have got a tingle once in a great while but no shock. The only thing I use oxy/acetylene for anymore is to heat rusted/frozen parts.



I wasn't talking about heat transfer with that little torch, i was referring to traditional oxy/acetylene cutting where you sit there and heat the metal until the oxygen can burn it. I'll have to watch those vids and see how it works.

 

[Hohn]

HSH: no flames taken. I am just trying to play Devil's advocate a bit. Not trying to pull a Gary.



Confession: I can't weld, and have only puddled in it (pun intended) a little bit on a farm. I am basing my thoughts on just that-- what I THINK. You guys who are more experienced than me can base it on EXPERIENCE-- big difference.



d90: I agree that the risk of shock is VERY low, simply because the voltage is too low. Only if you opened the case would you really be at risk. IIRC, welders are designed for high CURRENT, not voltage, so they don't have enough voltage to move higher current through your body (typical dry resistance- 350K Ohms)







I think the final proof is this: this fancy torch has been on the market since 1983. Yet, professionals STILL shell out LOTS of money for plasma cutters and TIG welders.



I have a hard time believing that if this process was TRULY as good as it claims to be, (at such reduced cost), then Miller and Lincoln would be hard pressed to sell the number of welders that they do.



HSH: you are "only a hobbyist" but have a Miller TIG? Are you espousing modesty (your ability) or overkill (your gear)?



Hohn

 

[fbaurley]

One of my friends dad has one it is good for small intricate work, but much of its success has to do with operator skill. I have seen the rep at the natiional farm machinery show do some impressive work. The major adnatage to it when compared with some other oxy acetylene set up is the handle configuartioin, and small tip size. An experinced oxy aceteylene person( hard to find now days) could probably do the same with a regular oxy acetylene torch. If any one can rember the original discovery channel west Coast choppers Jesse james special. He uses the Henrob to weld the gas tanks together on his bikes.

 

[fbaurley]

If you guys are interested in cutting an acetylenre torch(henrob) will not cut non ferrous ( aluminum, copper,, brass etc). therefore the henrob even though it has a very narrow kerf willl not substitute a plasma cutter. The small kerf of the henrob, can be duplicated with any acetelene cutting head provided you have a small enough tip, operator skill, and correct pressure settings.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I say that I'm a hobbyist because I have no formal training with any welding process and I make my money with a job that couldn't be any farther from metal fab. (... . although I have seriously contemplated switching careers - hint, hint!)



I bought the TIG because I wanted to make some parts for my truck (twins, ladder bars, driveshaft loops)... and to mess around.



Is it overkill? - Oh yeah! But so is a medium-heavy duty engine in a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup truck. :-laf



I've told this to several people - when I'm out in the garage blending together metal - it's my own little piece of heaven. Some people like to watch football on TV, or cruise about the bay in a sailboat... . not me - I'd rather be out in the garage with my TIG.



The TIG setup I bought (Miller Syncrowave 180SD Digital runner)... . is a VERY nice unit for the bread - it comes ready to weld - just add some Argon and fuse-weld away to your hearts content.



I almost wish I would have known about this little oxy-acetylene setup before I bought the TIG - I may not have bought it in the first place. In retrospect - the is one of the very few purchases that I know I will be happy with for a LONG time.



The only thing that matters is that you can get the job done to your satisfaction. I'm so picky that I complain when a weld doesn't come out right - even when I'm just messing around. To be quite honest - if I would have seen/bought this torch setup and never used a TIG - I would probably be very happy with what it can do.



I'll shut up now... .



Matt

 

[Mike Ellis]

Hohn,



I don't have any experience with a Henrob, comments from Holeshot seem pretty dead on though.



Now, if instead of a Henrob you were asking about a Henway some of us might be able to help... .

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Mike: Thanks for the kind works...



Matt