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Good reminder to check hoses and fittings as well as gauges or other locations for leaks on your torches or welder's sheilding gas lines.
What is my best option to replace the end on this Oxygen hose as well? Should I just buy a hose barb type repair end? Or is there something better I can use?

 

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Good reminder to check hoses and fittings as well as gauges or other locations for leaks on your torches or welder's sheilding gas lines.
What is my best option to replace the end on this Oxygen hose as well? Should I just buy a hose barb type repair end? Or is there something better I can use?

As old as that hose looks, just replace it. And if it was me... I would get "B" fittings that would screw directly into the regulator. Don't be cheap on new hose, I've had good stuff go 15 years on a truck exposed to the sun and weather. Don't ask the brand, I don't remember.

 

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For comparison here is how much a 25 foot Grade T hose cost at Linde. Between air gas and linde a number of items (smaller items) are at a very fair price! Hoses, torches, and welders were not included in those.

 

You could save some money if you buy 3/16" hose. Should be fine at 25' with your current set up.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if most or all hose comes from China. Buy hose from a good welding supply or hose shop like Gates. That said if the $39 hose only lasts half as long as the $114 hose, you're still better off with the cheaper hose. I would see how flexible different brands are because grade T is stiffer than grade R to begin with. Also look at how the fittings are crimped on and quality of the crimp sleeves.

 

Thanks for the info Dave! I totally am with you on the hose quality versus hose price. A major issue with everything is: "everyone's mileage varys." Meaning that a product for one person may not last long, and then it never breaks for a totally different person. I'm still running my old husky 60 gallon air compressor even though the 240 volt motor should have went out by now! Everyone's experience is different with products.

Also I found some other oxy fuel hose on baker's welding supply, but of course it's out of stock! I've heard they have plenty of good products they sell. https://bakersgas.com/collections/gas-hose/products/blue-demon-t-grade-1-4-x-25-twin-welding-hose-bdgh-t14-25bb

Also I was unaware of Grade T hose being stiffer. I'll see what our torch setup at my full time job is. It's 25 foot Grade T hose. Seems decently flexible and such.

 

So, at Linde 25 feet of Grade T hose was $119. The welding city stuff is $38 or so and has mostly positive feedback (most of their products are said to be good quality!) I checked bakersgas.com , they have a "blue demon" brand but it is out of stock.

We use continental brand (which I guess can be good year + continental) at work that is Grade T so I thought that would be am excellent bet!

 

I called Indiana Oxygen down the road from my work and found they have a Weldmark brand of Grade T 25 foot hose for $66 which is very fair if it's quality. I'm going to see if I can use my work discount to get some torch hose through them and see what else they have. Seemed like a great route. Also the continental brand hose is a great bet, but I'm thinking it may be best to buy the torch hose locally at an actual supply store.

 

Weldmark should be decent quality. It's the house brand for the independent welding distributors group. Basically they buy stuff in larger quantities to get better prices to pass on to customers. Most of their products are pretty good.

 

Yes! I finally made it over to Indiana oxygen. There was tons of awesome deals there. The prices outright shocked me. Cutting tips for $7, weldmark flap disk for an angle grinder less than 5, 035 Flux core wire for $12. All kinds of stuff there for 1/3 or less of Air gas or Linde. Never been to Indiana oxygen because it's out of the way.

I talked to the guy at Indiana Oxygen and he stated how weldmark is a reputable company that makes great products and passes down the savings to the customers.

I cannot get a work discount on it, however at $66 I feel it is fair. The stuff is made in the USA too.

I've read about Grade T hose bought online falling apart and the line nuts splitting in half so I don't exactly just want to buy whatever is available on Amazon or ebay. Would not make sense.

 

Weldmark doesn't make their products but puts their name on products they source.

 

It's amazing how much the prices vary. This one from CyberWeld is $26, from Washington Alloy, which is probably outsourced since Washington Alloy seems to be predominantly a filler metal producer.

 

Some good info in this thread……much appreciate everyone’s input into this hose/fitting issue.

 

The Weldmark isn't made in China?

 

That's correct! Made by Thermoid . Label looks just like the one I found on this package/ except for the length of course. I can't find the thermoid stuff that much or any cheaper online.

 

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