Safe use of ancient Victor regulators?

PeteM · Jul 18, 2009

I recently picked up a set of regulaters marked "Victor Welding Equipment .. San Francisco." They're marked SR-95 and SR-96 and are fairly small but nicely made. The look to be in excellent condition, but apparently Victor moved out of San Francisco in the 60's. So, these are 50 or more years old.

What are the chances these are still good (again, they look never to have been abused and the regulator screws were properly released during however many years of storage before they found me)? Anything I should do or consider before trying to hook them up?

More to the point, would they be a good alternative or backup to the more cheaply built regulators on a small Harris Port-a-torch??

starbolin · Jul 18, 2009

Mine are that old and I have had no problems getting them repaired. I would highly recommend for any used regulator to have them serviced before pressing them into service.

PeteM · Jul 20, 2009

Thanks for the reply. Any rough idea of what they're likely to replace and the cost?

JacobS · Jul 27, 2009

I just sent my torches and regulators to be serviced. They hadn't been used in many years. The o-rings were all bad, etc. They checked out and cleaned up a large torch with cutting attachment, small torch with cutting attachment, 3 regulators, and replaced o-rings in welding tips for less than $100. Of the 3 regulators, only one needed work. The crystal was cracked and the indicator needle could fall off. I don't know if there were other issues. That was $22.

Find a place that will service them in-house. The first place I talked to sent them out for a much higher minimum rate. The place I used has a service man come by once a week.

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Safe use of ancient Victor regulators?

PeteM

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starbolin

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PeteM

Diamond

JacobS

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