Postcard from noobieland - help!

clan tabby · #1 2009-07-24, 9:30am

Yes, another tiresome newbie question. Here's the scenario: I've got a Cricket on order, but have become the owner of a used Bobcat to use during the waiting period. Question: Which lpm oxycon would be the best to look for? I was initially thinking 5lpm, but don't know if I should look for a 10 because the Bobcat would work better on that. A friend even told me - heck, why worry? Just get a 15 & be done with it! Well, I am trying to combine effectiveness with economy. So - what oxycon would you folks recommend, and, then, any suggestions as to where I should look for one and, lastly, any recommendations on which brands are good or which to avoid.
Thank you!
Nancie in Noobieland

J.Meader · #2 2009-07-24, 9:48am

If you can afford it go with the 15 you wont regret it.

Diane (clarus) · #3 2009-07-24, 9:49am

Hi Nancie, welcome to the obsession!

I have a Bobcat. It runs well on one 5 LPM oxycon, but when I added a second one it gave it just enough more "oomph" that I'm glad I did it. I managed to get the second one for $50 from someone on Craigslist. That's hit or miss - I managed to get lucky, but you never know. FYI, ABR Imagery (www.dichroicimagery.com) has a scratch-and-dent EX-15 for $390 - if I had the funds right now I'd jump at it. That one puts out almost as much oxy as my two for the electrical cost as one.

-Diane

framerak · #4 2009-07-24, 10:01am

I've got a Bobcat and was running it on a 5 LPM and it did okay, but when I went to a 15 LPM - WOW!! I just got a second 15 LPM machine from ABR (the scratch & dent sale) and it makes the Bobcat sing.

Hands down, go for the 15 LPM. You'll never regret it having more oxygen. And I highly recommend ABR Imagery. Fabulous customer service and you can't beat the price on their scratch & dent machines.

tasminann · #5 2009-07-24, 11:23am

I'm very likely the odd person out, but I prefer to have 2 oxycons hooked together. The reason is because if something happened to one of them, I can still work on just 1 until the other one is replaced or fixed.

(And that's because the first oxycon I ever had quit working after 2 weeks. It was replaced by the seller, but I was out of commission until I got the replacement, which was another 2 weeks.)

Of course if I could afford it, I would get a 10 LPM unit with the 5 LPM as a backup "just in case". But I also managed to snag a 5 LPM off Craigslist last month for $50.

(I still look there from time to time, in case I ever see a 10 LPM for a good price...)

So I guess I'd say get the 10LPM if you can afford it, then scan cragislist from time to time for a smaller backup unit for cheap.

clan tabby · #6 2009-07-24, 2:54pm

Thank you all for your kind replies & suggestions. I guess the consensus is go for it with the 15lpm. The Big Burn!

Gail, thank you so much for your explanation of why hooking 2 oxycons together is a good idea. I had been avoiding thinking in that direction (too much going on all at once; 2 oxycons are more confusing than one!), but now I definitely see the value of having 2 oxycons. Now that the carport is (nearly) cleaned out, I believe there should be plenty of space for two; they're not that large.

Angela - are you saying you use two 15lpm oxycons hooked together??

Well, off to look for oxycons.
Ta!
Nancie

IF-Designs · #7 2009-07-24, 3:02pm

I will throw my 2cents in id go with the 15lpm machine if you can afford it the bobcat will run beautifully on that. I use to have a bobcat and ran it on 1 -5lpm machine and always wanted a bit more umph once I got a 2nd 5lpm machine it rocked. I have one of the 15lpm machines now and its amazing (though i now have a minor) any way its always good to have a backup machine but running 2 at the same time isnt necessary and sometimes can cause problems if one is a lil higher psi than the other. Id get 1 really good machine and then look for deals on a backup. Dont forget aboutthe regalia machines either they arnt quite as high in psi as an m15 but the way they produce their oxy is a bit more efficient and they tend to run more even (not as much breathing to the flame) but the sacrifice is they are quite a bit more $$

Also these machines do not like hot and humid weather. So if its really humid and hot where you are I would see if there is a closet or room in an air conditioned part of your house to place the machine in and run a hose to your work station. Its a pita but it will save the life of your machine.

framerak · #8 2009-07-24, 3:13pm

Yep, I run two 15 LPM oxycons together. The bobcat runs great on just one, but I'm hoping to get a larger torch and wanted to take advantage of ABR's free shipping sale so I ordered the second one. I think you'll be really happy with a 15LPM on the Bobcat.

clan tabby · #9 2009-07-24, 3:23pm

Thanks, IF. I can't even look at a Regalia. One time I did the price tag took my breath away. But don't they look sweet!?

Well, it does get hot here, but not humid. There's humidity when it's cooler (fog). The carport stays much cooler than everywhere else because of the air movement. Air conditioning?? I wish! Besides, space in the carport is workable, but in a small 1-bedroom house, more difficult. AND with no AC, I bet those oxycons throw off heat; don't need no more stinkin' heat inside!

A Regalia ....... yeah, well ..... Like the AC; in my dreams!