I use The Smith Little Torch with Coleman Green Propane Bottles and an Oxygen Generator. Suddenly after relighting the torch it wouldn’t stay lit. After swapping out the regulator in question for a much newer regulator of the same model the troublesome torch worked fine.
The problematic regulator is six years old. The regulator was purchased at about $65.00 and now to replace it will $121.00. Is six years the life expectancy? Do they just quit? Is there a required maintenance schedule that I am unaware?
The reason I use these tools is because I can get Propane at the Ace Hardware on Sunday when I run out of gas. Not so with acetylene. I have no concern about using my old Prestolite gear in the shop if I have too.
I don’t know the answer how long these regulators last, but there was a slightly related thread not too long ago with a bit of useful information. At some point in the kind of recent past, Miller welding bought out Smith. The picture that you show is of the more modern Miller-era Smith design.
Personally, I haven’t had any problems with the current metal adjustment valve design. As far as I know there’s no necessary adjustment or maintenance of the regulator. Well except to keep it clean and dry.
Hi Don,
I know that the standard regulators with the two gauges on them have rubber diaphragms that eventually go bad and I’m guessing that there’s something similar inside these that has a limited life span. I once had a conversation with the counter person at a welding supply who told me I could have an expensive regulator rebuilt for cheaper than buying a new one. The Smith Little regulator is more expensive because it is proprietary and because volume of sales is low. My suggestion would be to buy a standard regulator that fits a 1LB bottle with adapters, which is what I have bcs I changed from acetylene to propane/oxygen a long time ago and the acetylene and propane regulators are the same, which I guess you already know. That will be cheaper than replacing the Smith Little one and it will just be another throw away deal when it goes. You just have to look at the Smith Little instructions to know what the pressures are to set it to, but you are an old pro at this, so you could do it by trial and error. Amazon can have another regulator to you in two days max, and prices range from $20 on up. If you bought the $150 Victor regulator, I guess when it gets wonky you could have it rebuilt. Pick your poison. YMWV!
-royjohn
Don…I have had mine a lot longer than you have had yours. I can’t think of any reason why one would fail before the other, other than “the luck of the draw”. There isn’t a lot going on inside these things, so there isn’t much to fix. I would just buy another one and get on with making jewelry. I have noticed that there are know-offs online. Be careful what you buy…
Rob
