- Joined
- Aug 31, 2016
- Messages
- 14
Biased, because this is what I learned on. The older Minnesota built Smith's stuff was top notch premium quality equipment. I'm not knocking Victor stuff at all (they've made plenty, so it must work well), but AW series, including AC309 cutting heads are so light and balanced in the hand. It's like a "sports torch" if such a thing existed. Miller is supporting most of the traditional Smith's lines, including a full selection of tips, but the "Airline" AW series torch bodies haven't been listed recently. Used prices are creeping up, so maybe they'll make a batch one of these days. I'm glad to see that Miller has saved the Smith's brand, I just hope they strive to preserve it's reputation.
Yes, that Airline series was the 1st torch I bought in '68. It did everything I wanted to do. I now have a 2nd one and will buy any others I might find at swap meets and flea markets. For my use the cutting head is often used like a small rosebud, just don't press the oxygen lever. The cutting tips are still available but seldom need replacement. I also have the medium duty size Smith torch set, but I don't find any advantages to its larger size. The regulators are the same for both torches. The hose fittings on the back end of the Airline torch are smaller than the hose fittings on the Medium size. So I keep one set of regulators and hoses attached to the Medium torch, and a different pair of regulators and hoses attached to the airline. Changing regulators at the tanks is my switch over procedure.
Paul in MN