Henrob\ DHC 2000 Cutting & Welding Torch

[Metal Horse]

What are your opinions on this torch?

I do no commercial work but do my own Paint, Body & Fab, etc. I am looking at getting a Henrob an would like everyones opinion on them.

I have a Lincoln mig welder and really can't afford to purchase a Tig setup, Plasma Cutter etc. And the Henrob looks to be something I could really use and get my moneys worth.

I am not a newbie welder but not a pro either.

Thanks.

[tdoty]

Personally, I love the Henrob for gas welding - haven't tried one for cutting - but kinda dislike the pistol grip. A Henrob is on my "To Buy" list, just haven't gotten my own yet.

Welcome to MetalMeet! Nice to see people posting on their first day. Lots of members who visit regularly, have been members for a year or 2 and haven't posted anything yet :( .

Got a real name? We like to keep things kinda friendly and personal here, and a name makes it easier to keep track of who's who :) .

Tim D.

[Metal Horse]

Thanks for the opinion. I have concerns about the pistol grip also. But figure its sort of like a Tig gun.... But I have never Tigged either. It looks streight forward to me, and I understand the concepts he (J&S) shows in the videos.

One advantage I guess is I am only 45 min. from J&S's shop... So, at least I can beat on their door if it doesn't work..


Stephen S.

[Boogiemanz1]

Hi Steve, welcome to MetalMeet. I have a Henrob setup, I was totally taken with the way it welded aluminum. I haven't used the torch for cutting much, except at the demo at MetalMeet. Jim is a good guy and will help you get lined out on the torch. It does not set like a normal torch, it uses lower pressures. It works great when set correctly, and comes with a book that even I can understand http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif..................john

PS, don't loan it to anyone you'll have a hard time getting it back...........

[Matt Ferrari]

In my humble opinion, there's not much a Henorb can do that a regular old oxygen and acetylene setup can't do. (And I do own a Henrob.) To a large degree, it depends on whether or not you like the pistol grip. Personally, I prefer the traditional feel of a Victor torch (or a similar one).

Another advantage the Henrob has is that it comes with various size tips. However, you can get various size tips for other torches, too, and they're surprisingly inexpensive.

The biggest drawback to the Henrob is obviously the price. In addition to a practically compete oxy-acetylene setup, you need to speend another $400 or so for the Henrob. At that point, once you have the tanks, regulators, hoses, flashback arrestors, you're almost ready to go--all you need is a torch. In fact, this is the way that places like Sears sell their starter kits.

I believe that one key to getting any torch to perform like the Henrob that impresses us at the demonstrations (aside from the skill of the weldor!) is the use of equal pressures for both oxygen and acetylene. This is sometimes different than what's taught, but works well, particularly for welding aluminum.

I say, go out and get a regular oxy-acetylene setup. If you like it, and get used to it, you can always add the Henrob later. I don't think that you will find that it's worth the money.

--Matt

[Boogiemanz1]

I'd have to disagree Matt. I have been using a Victor cutting torch since 1968, I have several sizes, there is absolutely no way it can cut steel like a henrob. I torch welded exhaust for several years, and like you , I like the feel of a victor torch, but the tiny concentrated flame of a henrob allows you to weld steel with a smaller heat affected zone...less warpage.

At MM04, Wray Schelin and several others tested torches on the same panel, just switching torches. Wray was sure his Smiths torch would win, but conceded to the henrob.

If it doesn't work for you I'm sorry. At every event I've been to where Jim was selling henrobs, someone would always say they had one and it didn't suit them. Usually after Jim gave them a short "hands on" class, they were amazed. They work well, but it has to be set up correctly.

As far as the price, if you cut a lot of steel, it will pay for itself quickly. If you are a hobbiest, the versatility of it would be the only way.

I agree that you can buy a good torch cheaper, and that the pistol grip is hard to get used to (if ever), but I believe the henrob is the best torch out there............john

[Tisdelski]

hi steve, i`ve done quite a bit of gas welding with my victor and thought there was no better but after welding with the henrob at mm04 i`ve decided that i will be buying one. i picked up a tig so i`m not in a hurry to buy the henrob but was very surprised at how easy , and controllable the henrob is to weld with.
gary

[Metal Horse]

Thanks everyone for posts, I really appreciate the info.

--Stephen

[tdoty]

I'm with John here. The tiny concentrated flame of the Henrob is actually the big difference. I have always used equal gas/oxy pressures for welding, it's the way I was taught.

I use a Smith torch for any oxy/acetylene work I do right now, and with the gas and oxy set to 3 psi, it still doesn't have the concentrated flame of the Henrob. At 5 psi, it's on the ragged edge of useable for .050" aluminum - too ragged a flame and nowhere near the control.

I love the Henrob, and really, really need to get one, and I think the pistol grip sucks. The good part is, you can hold it near the tip and the pistol grip is of no consequence.

We won't even get into the difference with cutting!

Stephen, if you're that close to Jim, I'm sure he can show you exactly how to set up and use the Henrob torch to your best advantage.

Just my 2 cents.

Tim D.

[Metal Horse]

Thanks Tim,

I did talk to who ever answers his phone and they were extremly help full, actually gave me lots of answers to questions I hadden't thought of yet.

Like regulators, (Just what they told me) That some from a weld supply may or may not work, that is hold the 4 psi. Is what the main thing was.

Any suggestions on this thought? I can get a Med set of regs, std. torch 12' hose, sheild for $200. I think that is a great deal but, their comment about the regulators has put my thoughts of gettin that outfit on hold for the moment.

What do you think?

--Stephen

[Oldtin]

Quite often its not a matter of the average regulator holding the low pressure, its more often the fact that most Ox. regulators low side gauge are not calibrated for the low pressure. This can be overcome by replacing the low pressure gauge with one that displays smaller increments.

I have a lincoln mig, Miller tig, Airco cutting rig and a victor welding torch, but I will be borrowing dad's Henrob or bying my own when the moneys right.

Les Edmundson

[Peter Miles]

I think that if I were going to be doing a lot of cutting with a torch, I'd like the Henrob more, but for welding sheet metal I'd suggest at least considering the Meco Midget.

I don't have either and I'm definitely not a gas welder, but I've preferred the tiny, lightweight Meco when I've played around with them for welding purposes.

See Kent White's site for info on the Meco.

http://www.tinmantech.com/html/meco_midget_torch.html

[Boogiemanz1]

Peter, I believe that Jim also sells the meco.........check it out at MM05..........john

[ChuckD]

I feel as most do here about the henrob/cobra/whatever! it's a nice torch and for cutting, it's awesome. I solved the low side oxy regulator problem simply. I had my welding supply house swap the gauge and the spring out to a low pressure setup. Took all of 5 min. and cost me $10.00. I just set the regs to 4psi, choose the size tip I'm going to use, strike it, tweak a little and off I go. Works great.

[Metal Horse]

Thanks again.

[Ernie Ferrucci]

Hi Stephen

I've never used the Henrob torch but I have viewed the video demos at www.cut-like-plasma.com (http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/). I'm impressed by the way it cuts. I agree with John, I have a Smith Airline torch (like Wray's), and I can't make it cut as clean as the Henrob. I have no reason to doubt the video demo, I can see the difference.
The opinions will vary with the individuals on the pistol grip. If your used to a conventional torch handle, like I am, the henrob may seem awkward. But if you never used either, getting used to the pistol grip shouldn't be a problem. If Wray liked the gas welding performance of the Henrob over his Smith conventional torch, that says a lot right there. I also know a local car customizer who does awesome TIG like welding with this type of torch.
I don't gas weld sheet metal or tubing anymore, (I have a TIG), but I did lots back in the days before MIGs became popular in auto body shops. To answer your question, I think the Henrob deserves serious consideration, and the J&S
source comes highly recommended by other members on this site.

Ernie Ferrucci

[Metal Horse]

Thanks Ernie.

I have used a covnetional torch but not enough to say it would be hard to change.

Your opinion is greatly appreciated. Seems like my first impression of the Henrob is starting to be acurate.

--Stephen

[Matt Ferrari]

I think that if I were going to be doing a lot of cutting with a torch, I'd like the Henrob more, but for welding sheet metal I'd suggest at least considering the Meco Midget.

The Meco's a neat little torch. I have a jeweler friend who uses one all the time.

I've been doing some jewelry work myself, and have been using an air/acetylene torch made by (I believe) Smith. It's a pretty neat tool, and it's new to me. It uses a tank of acetylene and the ambient air for the torch flame--there's no oxygen tank. The flame seems neutral all the time, regardless of acetylene pressure. I suppose the little holes that let air in act like carburetor venturis, letting in as much ambient air as the acetylene requires. You can choke those holes off a little, and you get a carburizing flame. Choke it off completely, and you get the sooty flame of pure acetelyne. It's really neat.

So far, I've only used it for annealing and soldering sterling silver and copper, but it works great. I'll be curious to see if I can weld aluminum or steel with it. The flame is less hot than a normal oxygen/acetylene flame.

By the way, I think Tim Doty makes a great point about importance of the size of the flame. That's certainly why Kent White prefers the Meco, and one of the secrets to the Henrob. A 00 or even a 000 tip on a Victor does the same thing.

I'd like to repeat or rephrase what I said earlier. I'd encourage anyone to start off with a simple oxy-acetelyne starter kit, such as one that you'd find at Sears or Harbor Freight. It's $99 from HF, but you'll also need to buy or rent gas tanks. It's so useful for so many different situations: heating stuck bolts, heat treating metals, cutting, welding and so on. It's just a really good tool to have in your arsenal. Once you have that kit, at any point later you can add a $400 Henrob if you want to.

--Matt

[Metal Horse]

I went looking for the Meco Midgett last night on the web and found some great info. from the Tin Man.

I am starting to believe this just may be a good idea before getting a Henrob.


On a starter kit, I got a great deal yesterday. I got full size regs,12' hose, cutting/brazing torch and $145 pro tank cart for $200. Looks to have been used only 1-2 times.

I rented both tanks, Industrial Size for $4 each per month.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

--Stephen

[Marty Comstock]

for those of you who dislike the pistol grip, think like a low temp tig welder. hold the torch close to the tip like holding a pencil and rest the handle on your wrist. im terrible about using gloves, and i find even using the torch in this fasion i want gloves not that often. the heel of my hand rests directly in my weldment, and i am very steady using this technique. i bought the torch for what has been proven to be a wonderful way to weld cast using the rods and flux Jim sells, and have had great luck cutting and welding sheetmetal and aluminum.

[tdoty]

The good part is, you can hold it near the tip and the pistol grip is of no consequence.
Tim D.

hold the torch close to the tip like holding a pencil and rest the handle on your wrist.


Anybody wanna guess where I learned holding the Henrob near the tip? It's kinda akward for the first minute or 2, but starts feeling "right" quickly.

Since I found tips for my Meco Jet Aviator, the Henrob slipped down just a bit on my "Must Have" list, a notch or 2 below the tanks I still haven't checked into. I need a 24 hour welding store ............... I hate mornings :).

Tim D.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Just got back from the Louisville NSRA nats where Jim (Henrob Jim) and I were in the same booth. I've had my Henrob for years and LOVE IT! It's an amazing tool. Having limited regular torch experience, I had nothing to "unlearn". It really will cut like plasma and weld like tig.

HOWEVER, you do need to actually use it once in a while to be effective. I had a lot of people come by the booth while Jim was demoing and say, "...had one for a few years and never took it out of the box..."

Personally, I don't understand that at all. It's a great tool. The Meco may be a great or even superior torch for welding (never used one) but it can't cut anything from sheet metal to 3/4 plate.

[Peter Miles]

Kerry said: Personally, I don't understand that at all. It's a great tool. The Meco may be a great or even superior torch for welding (never used one) but it can't cut anything from sheet metal to 3/4 plate.

I agree that the Henrob has a range of cutting capabilities that the little Meco probably can't come close to. There are also a number of very niced and flexible attachments for the Henrob that extend its range of capabilities.

I only suggested the Meco for welding sheet and thought that it was significantly lighter.

It seems that there can be a individual fervor for favorite smoke sticks that matches that for sports teams, swimsuit models and political parties!

I lifted the following picture from Kent White's website.

http://www.tinmantech.com/assets/images/Mecoinhand1.jpg

http://www.tinmantech.com/assets/images/Mecoinhand1.jpg

He says that is 6 oz.

Taken from Jim's website, the Henrob:
http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/images/image_settingup01.jpg

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/info_setting_up.htm
Jim's text describes it as being less than 3 pounds.

I think that they are both great tools and I also have great respect for both Kent and Jim, although neither are the sole source for either of those torches.

Regards, Peter M.

[Henrob Jim]

I am here, I will help,

The pistol grip is only a problem in your mind, and after using the henrob for 12 years the conventional torch does not feel right to me.

This is Jim the user not HENROB JIM the seller.

PS. I also sell and stock the MECO torch if you have to have one, They are lighter and we have an ultralight hose like the one shown with the meco on tinman's site

The henrob with welding tip weighs 1lb.11.4oz. (about 2lbs with the hose)

The ultralight hose weighs 6 oz.

Jim

[Metal Horse]

Thanks for the info. I will contact you soon about the torch.

[Spanky]

Jim-Maybe an "off the wall" question, but why are there soooo many names for the henrob? Are they all the same equiptment? Is the only difference in the name? I hear Henrob,henrob 2000,cobra and I forget the other name...

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Jim doesn't check the board every day so I'll answer this one because I asked him this very question while at dinner at Cracker Barrel during the Lousiville Nationals.

The original torch was the Dillion and was made in Australia. The Henrob folks bought it and started producing and selling it here as the Henrob and later as the Henrob 2000 (Around the year 2000 I guess lol). The folks at Cobra bought it and it has been called the Cobra torch but the current official name is the DHC (Dillion, Henrob, Cobra). All the same machine with different names. I think this is all correct but if not, Jim will correct me next time he checks the board.

[Marty Comstock]

I do believe hearing the same exact thing from Jim a number of times explaing it to people who ask during demonstrations., yes, its the same torch that has been around for eons, just with a diffrent name.

[Henrob Jim]

Kerry and Marty have it right.

Check out the history on the website for details

http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/dhc2000.htm

Thanks guys!!!!

I will be gone for 6 days, Mrs Roy will be happy to take your order

Call the cell if it is tehnical, 803-429-2545

Jim

[Peter Miles]

Dillon/Henrob/Cobra torch, New name (DHC 2000)


And, no doubt, the marketing geniuses in all of those successor companies that kept renaming the product never thought that all of those name changes could have any possible adverse impact upon the public's perception of the product!

Their corporate egos apparently demanded that the name be changed again and again to reflect the name of the new corporations. So much for product awareness and brand name recognition!

[Henrob Jim]

I guess the persons purchasing tools at Harbor Freight are not worried about the name recognition, even though it is important in some cases,
I mean we are still buying FUEL even though Gulf,ESSO,SUNOCO and many others are long gone, when a product has been around for Many years things happen that may not reflect the quality or useability of that particular product,

The MECO Midget is the ONLY one left of the MECO line and now VICTOR owns that and it is now made in MEXICO,
It is a cpoy of a Smith #13 torch developed in the 1930'S, (I own one)

I Still believe the DHC 2000 is a great product and will continue to support the sale and use of it, if you have a TIG,MIG and a plasma you do not need a DHC 2000 unless you weld rusty metal, However if you have a limited budget and need an econimical way to weld and cut the DHC 2000 is hard to beat.

Best Regards,

Jim

[Peter Miles]

Just in case there was any question about it, I do believe that the DHC 2000 is an excellent product. I've also been very impressed by Jim and the level of support and knowledge that he provides.

At my first MM, MM2003, he welded up some cracks that I managed to introduce into a piece of steel that I was banging on as a learning exercise. He definitely knows how to make that Dillon/Henrob/DHC 2000 sit up and dance.

Peter M.

[jeffglantz]

I just bought a henrob torch a few weeks ago and I think it's great. I also have a Lincoln mig and couldn't afford a tig and plasma so I figured I would give the henrob a shot. I'm still in the practice stages on aluminum but getting the hang of it. Also if you buy from J&S you get 90 days to try it so why not. I have regular harris regulators and they work fine. I did order a low pressure gauge for my oxygen reg. from J&S. The other cool thing about buying from J&S is they are really helpful just call with any questions and they hook ya up.

[slobitz18222]

I have a mig, tig, stick, plasma, meco and a sweet little smith aircraft set gathering dust. I have three Dillon/henrob setups two with gas savers that I use for everything but welding heavy stuff on which I use stick.
Jim S got me a tip extender that I use to hold the torch like a pencil on some applications.
I bought my first set when most people thought they were some kind of novelty. I weld and polish aluminum and tig beads are hard and can be seen when polished. When gas welded and polished you can not see where it was welded. To say I love my henrobs is an understatement.