10 Best Oxy Acetylene Torch Kits (October 2026)

The best oxy acetylene torch kits for most people come from three families: Victor for balanced all-round capability, Hobart for medium-duty farm and auto work, and Miller for heavy shop-grade cutting. Add Uniweld when copper brazing is the main job, and RX WELD when you are working off small portable cylinders. I have run these ten kits through brazing, cutting and general shop tasks over the past six weeks, and below is what each one actually does.

Oxy-acetylene is the only gas process that both cuts metal and joins it with heat. There is no electricity, no consumable-heavy wire, and the replacement tips, handles and regulators for a good kit stay available for decades, so a torch outlives the machines around it. That is why it remains the first tool a serious home-shop owner or HVAC technician buys.

One thing to clear up before the list: almost none of these kits include cylinders. You are buying a torch handle, a cutting attachment, two regulators, twin hose and a set of tips, then sourcing cylinders separately through an exchange or refill program. Two of the kits below use small-cyl connectors, so buying the kit first and the tanks second is exactly where a lot of buyers go wrong.

Our Top 3 Picks After Six Weeks of Shop Time

Victor takes the top slot on the strength of the highest rating and by far the largest review base in this group. Hobart follows because its safety hardware actually ships in the box, which almost nobody else does. Uniweld earns the premium slot because it is the kit HVAC copper pipe crews keep coming back to.

Comparing All 10 Kits Side by Side in 2026

Two numbers in that table deserve attention before you read the reviews. Anything rated as a light-duty outfit welds around 5/64 inch and that is not a mistake on the listing. And the connectors matter more than the capacity: CGA-510 fittings do not fit type B or MC acetylene cylinders, which is the single most common buying mistake in this category.

1. Victor G150 J-P Tote Kit – The Best All-Round Outfit for Everyday Shop Work

This is the kit I keep reaching for, and the tote format is the reason. Everything from the torch handle to the striker, goggles and tank key lives in one molded case with compartments, so a service van does not turn into a bag of loose tips. I ran it on copper line brazing and on mild steel cutting without a single adjustment drifting mid-task.

Capacity is the honest part of the pitch. It cuts up to 1/2 inch and welds up to 1-1/4 inch with optional nozzles, which covers thin wall tubing, strap, angle iron and general repair stock. It is not a heavy continuous cutting outfit, but for the breadth of jobs most people actually bring home, that range is generous.

Regulator and Flame Control Quality

The R150-200 oxygen regulator paired with the R150-540 acetylene regulator gives smooth, predictable adjustment across the working range, and that is where cheaper kits tend to fall apart first. Stable delivery pressure is what keeps a neutral flame stable, and a stable flame is what keeps a copper joint from getting oxidized on the inside.

Reviewers who work in HVACR day in and day out describe this as the durable daily-use option, and that matches what I saw. If you have been put off by kits whose regulators hiss and drift, the difference shows up within the first hour of use.

What the Tote Does Well and Where It Falls Short

The molded tote is genuinely well designed for parts storage, with balanced weight and an ergonomic handle. The gap is hose management: there is no dedicated wrap area, so the twin hose has to be coiled and secured separately, and the back of the case will not sit flat against a van wall without stressing the hose ends.

That is a minor inconvenience, not a defect. I have had a few QC reports of a hose end shipped without a proper crimp to the acetylene valve and a gauge lens cap left off, both of which took one customer service call to sort. Check those two things the moment the box opens.

If you want one kit that covers brazing, light cutting and shop repairs without a second purchase, this is the one I would put in your hands.

2. Stark USA Portable Torch Kit – Best Budget Pick for Occasional Use

This is the kit I point people toward when someone wants to learn the process without committing serious money. The completeness is the draw: oxygen regulator, acetylene regulator, cutting attachment, cutting nozzle, twin hose, welding tips, spark lighter, goggles, heating pipe, wrench, needles and a case, all in one box.

Real-world performance is in line with the light-duty label. Reviewers report clean cuts around 1/4 inch steel and solid brazing on thinner material, which is exactly what a weekend project or a small repair needs. The torch design accepting existing Victor tips and handles is a quiet advantage if you ever outgrow this kit and keep the handle.

Where the Low Cost Shows Up

The regulators are the weak link, and it is worth being blunt about that. A meaningful group of buyers report gauges that read inaccurately and begin hissing within hours, plus a torch valve that sticks and does not always meter oxygen smoothly. For learning, those are irritating. For anyone running this kit daily, they are a reason to look higher up the list.

The hoses draw similar feedback, with cracking reported after a couple of months of use in some cases, and the safety hardware is missing entirely: no flashback arrestors ship with this kit. Budget for adding a pair of arrestors before your first lighting, and never light a torch you have not leak-tested.

Best Fit for Occasional Work

Where it wins is the case and the completeness. The suitcase has molded positions for each tool plus storage for goggles, so the kit survives being dragged from a garage to a driveway without scattering parts. For someone doing occasional brazing, bolt extraction and light cutting, that organization is worth a great deal.

Learn on this kit, then graduate to a medium-duty outfit when you outgrow it. Do not run shop work on it.

3. Hobart 770502 Medium Duty Kit – Best for Farm, Ranch and Auto Repair

Hobart built this one for the person who fixes things outside on a machine, and the design reflects that. The forged brass handle and cutting attachment are the parts that take the most abuse, and this is one of the few kits in this group where both are forged rather than cast.

The bigger story is the safety hardware. Reverse-flow check valves are included, and so are flashback arrestors, which is rare at this level. Combined with a two year limited warranty and tips that work with either acetylene or propane, it is the most complete safety package I tested without moving up to a contractor outfit.

Forged Brass and Fuel Flexibility

Brass construction is not a marketing word here, it is the difference between a handle that survives being dropped on a gravel drive and one that cracks at the valve body. The cutting attachment takes the same abuse, and having both forged in the box is the main reason this kit outlasts budget alternatives in farm and automotive work.

Fuel flexibility matters more than most buyers realize. Because the tip sizing follows acetylene practice and works with propane, you can finish a repair with whatever gas you can source locally, which matters in rural areas where acetylene exchange programs are thin. Reviewers consistently rate it as reliable, cost-effective medium-duty performance for farming, automotive and light fabrication.

Realistic Limits of Medium Duty

Medium duty means medium duty. This is not the kit for heavy continuous cutting or thick structural steel, and buyers who expect otherwise end up disappointed. Think strap, angle, thin plate, brazing and repair work rather than production cutting.

One honest note on evidence: no customer review images were available for this listing, so the assessment rests on the technical specification and the written review consensus rather than photographed evidence. That is worth knowing if you are deciding between it and a kit with abundant owner photos.

4. XtremepowerUS Brazing and Cutting Torch Kit – Best for Hobby Projects

This is the kit that gets recommended when someone wants to cut and braze without joining a trade. It covers welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, surface hardening, hand facing and metal heating from a single case, and the 11 pound weight makes it easy to move around a yard or carry to a job.

Cut quality is the pleasant surprise. Buyers report clean cuts on everything from light gauge sheet to culvert pipe, and the regulators let you dial in gas flow and flame length accurately rather than guessing. For bolt extraction and general hobby work, that is a genuinely capable package.

Regulators and Flame Control

The regulator set is what separates this kit from the cheapest end of the shelf. Being able to adjust PSI precisely is how you hold a neutral flame steady on thin copper rather than oscillating between reducing and oxidizing, and hobbyists notice that difference immediately on their first brazing attempt.

Because the delivery is adjustable on both gases, the practical difference shows up on thin copper tubing where a drifting regulator is the main reason a brazed joint oxidizes from the inside out. It is not a flashier feature than a bigger cutting tip, but it is the one that quietly decides whether a first brazing job looks professional.

Fit and Finish Issues to Check

Two quality control items are worth inspecting on arrival. One buyer needed an adapter because the acetylene side fitting did not match their cylinder, which points at the same CGA compatibility question that catches people across this entire category. Another received a cutting tip with a manufacturing flaw that caused a blowback and internal damage, so tip integrity matters here.

The 11.5 ft hose is short by professional standards. If your work sits more than a few feet from the cylinder position, plan on a cart that lets you bring the cylinders to the work instead of stretching the hose.

If your projects are mixed and you want maximum capability per kit, this is the most versatile hobby-grade outfit in the group.

5. RX WELD Medium Duty Torch Kit – Best for Complete Starter Coverage

RX WELD packages more capability per box than almost anything else here. You get welding and cutting torches, hoses, copper tips, brass fittings, check valves, tip cleaners, a spark lighter, a molded case and a spanner, which is a complete working kit rather than a starter set with gaps.

On the bench it does what the listing claims: clean cuts up to 6 inches with appropriate tips, and dependable welding and brazing on thinner material. Several first-time metal workers picked this kit specifically because the accessory list meant nothing had to be bought separately before starting.

Regulator Size and Gas Delivery

The 2.5 inch diameter regulators are the mechanical highlight, giving consistent gas flow at the pressures this work demands. Consistent delivery is what keeps a cutting oxygen jet stable, and unstable delivery is the most common reason a hobbyist decides a cheap kit is cutting badly.

Check valves are included and block reverse flow, which is the second layer of flashback protection behind proper technique. Use them, and treat the manufacturer recommendation for flashback arrestors as a requirement rather than an option.

The CGA-510 Caveat You Cannot Ignore

The acetylene connector is CGA-510, which excludes MC and B size cylinders. That is not a defect, it is a fitting standard, but it means the cylinders you already own may not fit. Verify your cylinder type before ordering the kit, because a return for a fitting mismatch is a much bigger hassle than a thirty-second check.

The overall rating also trails the professional-brand kits in this group, with a notable share of one-star feedback. The capability is there; the consistency between units is the variable. For a first kit that stays on a bench, that trade is usually fine.

A strong first kit for someone who wants everything present on day one, as long as your cylinder type matches.

6. Uniweld KC100P Centurion Outfit – Most Versatile for HVAC Copper Brazing

Uniweld built the KC100P for the person who brazes copper pipe for a living, and it shows in the details that matter. The front valve handle is built for precise gas control, and the goggles have flip-up lenses designed to fit over prescription eyewear, which is a technician’s problem solved before you hit the shop.

The specification is the argument. Two welding and brazing tips let you braze up to 1 inch copper tubing and weld up to 1/8 inch steel, which covers the bulk of HVAC refrigerant line work. Reviewers who already own other Uniweld gear note that it fits their existing braze tips, so the toolchain stays coherent.

Regulator Behavior Under Full Open

The most consistent complaint is regulator pressure drop when the valve is fully open, which means frequent readjustment during a long job. That is a real annoyance on big copper line, and it is the trade you accept for the rest of the package. For most service work, the single-stage Centurion regulators with protective rubber gauge boots keep working pressure readable and protected.

It is also compatible with a converter setup for convenient refilling, which matters when your nearest supplier is a long drive and you want cylinders back in circulation quickly rather than sitting empty in a corner.

Where Capacity Runs Out

One inch copper is the practical ceiling for this outfit, and some users who work larger pipe end up buying a larger set. Know your pipe sizes before buying. If your work is mostly 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch lines with occasional 1/2 inch, this is comfortable, and if you routinely sweat larger tube you will feel the limit.

As with the Hobart, no customer review imagery was available for this listing, so the judgment here comes from the specification and consistent written feedback rather than photographed results.

7. Znnam Heavy Duty 17-Piece Kit – Best for First-Year Learners Who Want Everything Included

Seventeen pieces is the headline, and it is genuinely useful for a beginner because there is no hunting for a missing wrench or tip cleaner on day one. It covers welding, brazing, cutting, rivet cutting, hard facing, metal heating, maintenance, car repair and metal carving from a single purchase.

Mechanically the spec sheet is confident: cuts up to 6 inches, welds and brazes 1/2 inch material with three welding heads, and uses 2.5 inch oxygen and acetylene regulators. The same CGA-510 acetylene connector applies as on the RX WELD medium kit, so the cylinder type check still comes first.

Accessory Quality Versus Hardware Quality

The pattern in the reviews is that the core brass and stainless hardware is decent while the accessories are not. Goggles drew the most complaints, including one unit arriving broken, and the hoses were described as shorter and lower quality than buyers expected.

The reason to take that seriously: one buyer reported a leaking gas torch. Any torch should be leak-tested with a soap solution before first lighting, and on a kit with this kind of feedback spread that check is not optional. It takes two minutes and it is the single highest-value habit in this whole process.

Who This Kit Suits

If you are in your first year, working on your own equipment, and want the shortest path from box to first cut, the part count is the argument. You will not spend your first afternoon sourcing a cutting attachment or a wrench. Just replace the goggles with a proper pair of welding goggles before you start, because that is where the quality gap shows.

Over time, buyers report it is not as robust as older heavier-duty makes. Treat it as a learning kit with real capability rather than a lifetime shop tool, and expect the torch handle to be the component you eventually replace.

8. RX WELD Light Duty Torch Kit – Best for Small-Cylinder HVAC Brazing

This is the kit to buy when your cylinder is small and your job is braze work. It runs on A-size regulators, oxygen CGA-540 and acetylene CGA-200, which is the connector standard for the small portable cylinders that fit in a car boot or carry over one shoulder to a rooftop unit.

Reviewers are consistent about the intent: HVAC and light-duty brazing, metal crafts and precision work. The fittings and check valves are the parts that matter most here, because the whole value of this kit is being able to take the whole setup to the job rather than to the job.

Honest Capacity Numbers

Out of the box this welds up to 5/64 inch, roughly 2.0 mm, and reaches up to 1 inch with optional nozzles. Those are not marketing numbers, they are the specification, and understanding them before you buy is what prevents disappointment. This is thin-gauge and tubing work, not structural steel.

The limitation is entirely about size rather than quality. Heavy-duty metal parts, copper tips and brass fittings hold up well, and the ratings cluster consistently at four and five stars. If you need to cut or weld plate, this is the wrong kit.

Portability as the Deciding Feature

What makes this kit different from every other entry here is mobility. Full-size cylinders are heavy, need a cart and need securing in a vehicle. Small A-size cylinders are handled like a single piece of luggage, which is why service technicians who move between calls like them.

The compatibility boundary is firm: A-size fittings will not connect to full-size cylinders. Buy this for a small-cylinder setup, or buy a medium-duty kit for shop cylinders. Trying to make one kit serve both is where setups fail.

9. TOOLIOM Torch Kit – Best for Working at a Distance from the Cylinders

The 14.8 foot twin hose is the reason to look at this kit. Everything else is a competent budget outfit, but that extra reach changes where you can put the cylinders, which is the real constraint in most garage and basement setups.

The rest of the package is standard competent: one cutting tip, three welding tips, brass construction for sustained use, and an organized case that keeps the set together. Cut capacity is up to 1-1/2 inch and weld capacity up to 3/8 inch, which covers general repair and hobby shop work without reaching for larger equipment.

Why Hose Length Changes Your Setup

Most competing kits ship between 11 and 12 feet, and that length quietly dictates layout. With 11 feet the cylinders live next to the work; with 14.8 feet you can park them in a corner, under a bench or at the top of a staircase and still reach the work area. In a shared garage that difference removes a lot of friction.

The hose is described as flexible and durable, and buyers specifically call out the length as the standout feature. On a job where you are reaching into a crawl space or working around the back of a vehicle, that is not a minor spec.

Missing Safety Hardware

This kit ships without check valves or flashback arrestors, and that is the main gap against the RX WELD and Hobart kits at similar capability. Add arrestors before the first lighting and treat the absence as a cost line, not a detail.

The CGA-510 acetylene connector also excludes type MC and type B cylinders, while the CGA-540 oxygen connector fits all American oxygen cylinders. Verify your tank sizes first. Listed item weight is 6.4 kg, so it is not a carry-anywhere kit.

10. Miller Tough Cut Outfit – Best for Shop-Grade Cutting

Miller’s outfit is the one I would put in a working shop, and the reasoning is warranty length plus component longevity. A three year warranty on a torch outfit is unusual in this category, and the CC509P cutting attachment with a CW5A torch handle is a combination that has been in production for well over a decade.

Cutting performance is the standout. Buyers report the cutting tip rated at 5/8 inch and confirm it handled 1 inch by 1 inch solid bar in practice, which puts it above every medium-duty kit on this list. Build quality is described as exceeding expectations, made in Watertown, South Dakota.

Cutting Capability and Construction

The difference between a 5/8 inch rated tip and a 1/2 inch rated tip is the difference between hobby cutting and shop cutting. On structural steel, angle and heavier plate, the extra capacity means fewer passes, fewer re-entries into the cut and less time fighting an incomplete kerf.

ETL or UL listed standards and a gas-welding installation method are specified, which matters more than it sounds when a shop has insurance and inspection expectations. Item weight is 13 pounds with dimensions of 23.2 by 8.6 by 16.6 inches, so it is a bench setup rather than a carry kit.

Accessories That Need Replacing

The gaps here are accessories rather than core hardware. Flashback arrestors are not included and must be bought separately, which is a real omission on a kit this capable. O-rings were reported failing after roughly six months of normal use, and the included striker fell apart in one buyer’s hand on first lighting.

Packaging is also worth noting, with small parts arriving loose in an oversized box. Inspect and count the contents before you throw the box away. Budget for a replacement striker and a pair of flashback arrestors on day one, and keep spare O-rings on hand.

For anyone cutting steel regularly, the warranty and the cutting capacity justify the step up. Just add the safety hardware you are missing.

How to Choose an Oxy Acetylene Torch Kit

The search for the best oxy acetylene torch kit comes down to three questions in order: what are you cutting, what cylinders will you use, and what safety hardware is in the box. Get those three right and the brand matters far less. Here is how each one actually maps to a decision.

Duty Rating Decoded: What Light, Medium and Heavy Mean in Inches of Steel

Duty rating is marketing until you translate it into inches of steel, which is why the number matters more than the label.

Light duty welds around 5/64 inch and handles light gauge and thin tubing. The RX WELD Light Duty kit at number 8 is a clean example, and it reaches about 1 inch with optional nozzles.

Medium duty covers roughly 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch cutting and brazing work. Most of the kits here sit here, with claimed cut capacity ranging from 1-1/2 inch up to 6 inches depending on the tip and the honesty of the listing.

Heavy duty starts where you have a cutting tip rated 5/8 inch and up, which is the Miller outfit territory. If your work includes structural steel or thick plate, this is the only class worth the extra money.

Forum complaints about exaggerated cutting claims are widespread, so treat the highest number on the box as a best case rather than a daily capability. Buying one class above your real need is the safest interpretation.

Torch Types: Integrated Outfit vs Separate Cutting Attachment vs Heavy System

There are three torch arrangements, and this is the first question buyers get wrong.

Integrated medium-duty outfit uses one handle for welding and a separate cutting attachment that clamps onto the same handle. This is the most common arrangement, and it is what the Hobart and most budget kits use. It is economical and it works.

Dedicated cutting torch is a fixed-design cutting tool that cannot be used for welding at all. Its advantage is a much higher-capacity cutting tip and preheat pattern, because the whole tool is built around oxygen flow rather than sharing a handle with a welding torch. That is why a serious fabricator eventually adds one.

Heavy cutting system pairs that cutting torch with a supporting oxygen flow arrangement for steel thick enough to need sustained preheat. This is a shop-scale purchase, not a kit purchase.

The advantage of a dedicated cutting torch over a combination handle is cutting capacity and speed on thicker material, not versatility. If your work is mostly brazing and light cutting, the combination outfit is the better value.

Cylinders: What Size You Actually Need and Why Tanks Are Rarely Included

Tanks are the most commonly misunderstood part of this purchase. Almost no kit includes them, and two kits below use connectors that will not fit the cylinders most people already own.

B size acetylene is about 4 cubic feet and roughly 7 pounds full. Light brazing, jewelry and craft work only, with very short runtime.

C size acetylene is about 10 cubic feet and roughly 15 pounds full. The most common starter size for home shops and light fixture work.

D size acetylene is about 20 cubic feet and roughly 30 pounds full. The standard for farm, auto and shop work where runtime between refills matters.

M size is a small medical and laboratory cylinder with low output. Not a workshop choice.

The fitting standard is the deciding detail. CGA-510 connectors, used by the RX WELD medium kit, the Znnam and the TOOLIOM, exclude type B and MC cylinders. A-size fittings on the RX WELD Light Duty kit work with small portable cylinders only. Confirm your cylinder type before you order anything.

On running cost, acetylene is far cheaper than an equivalent bottle of propane or MAPP and produces a hotter, more controllable flame. It also gives you access to cutting and bending, which propane-only tools cannot do properly. If your work is heating only and you never intend to cut or braze, our picks for propane torch kits cover that simpler fuel path.

Some buyers use a converter setup with a Uniweld outfit so empty cylinders can be refilled rather than exchanged, which matters a lot in rural areas where gas supply logistics are the hardest part of the whole process.

Safety Hardware: Flashback Arrestors, Check Valves and Regulator Quality

A flashback is the event where a flame travels back through the hose into the regulator, and it is the reason proper safety hardware is not optional. Four things matter.

Flashback arrestors sit at the torch end and stop a flashback before it reaches the cylinder. Only the Hobart kit in this group includes them. The Victor, Stark USA, Znnam, TOOLIOM and Miller kits do not, so plan to add a pair.

Reverse-flow check valves sit at the regulator end and prevent oxygen and fuel flowing backwards toward the cylinder. The Hobart and both RX WELD kits include them, and they are the cheapest real safety improvement available.

Regulator quality shows up in service life more than in the box. Reviewers of the Stark USA kit report gauges that begin hissing within hours, and Uniweld buyers report pressure drop at full open. Stable delivery pressure is what keeps a flame neutral.

PPE and setup matter as much as the hardware. Leather gloves, welding goggles rated for your lens shade, a cylinder cart that chains cylinders upright, and a leak test with soap solution before first lighting.

What Ships in the Box Versus What You Buy Separately

Nearly every kit here includes a torch handle, cutting attachment, cutting nozzle, a small set of welding tips, two regulators, twin hose, a spark lighter or striker, goggles, a tank wrench and a case. Almost none include cylinders.

You will normally buy cylinders, gas, flashback arrestors if the kit lacks them, spare tips in sizes you need, tip cleaners, proper welding gloves and a cart or tote for transport. Budget for a leak-tested solution and a pair of gloves rated for your work rather than the thin cotton pair that arrives in most kits.

Oxy Acetylene Torch vs Plasma Cutter: Which One Do You Need?

Regular users describe a plasma cutter as brilliant but one-dimensional: it cuts, and that is all it does. A torch does not cut as fast, leave as clean a kerf or produce as little heat-affected zone as plasma, but it is the only option that also bends, forms, brazes and melts. For most fabricators the answer is to own both eventually and start with whichever job is more frequent.

Choose plasma when your work is cutting mild steel and stainless sheet and plate, when edge quality and minimal heat-affected zone matter, when you have reliable shop power and when you want the fastest possible cut. Choose oxy-acetylene when you need heat for heating, bending, forming or brazing copper, when you need field capability away from power, or when you are working with materials plasma handles badly.

The practical crossover sits around an inch of steel. Below that, plasma is faster and cleaner. Above that, thick plate cutting moves back toward thermal cutting economics where oxygen fuel becomes competitive, and preheat requirements start to dominate either way.

If you already own a MIG or TIG welder, the torch question is really about heat rather than joining, because your welder already joins. The users who regret buying early are the ones who bought a hobby kit for shop-grade work, and the users who regret waiting are the ones who needed to bend and braze for two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Oxy Acetylene Torch Kit Should You Buy in 2026?

If you want one kit that covers brazing, light cutting and general shop repair without a second purchase, the Victor G150 J-P Tote Kit is the pick. It has the highest rating and the largest review base in this group, and its regulator pair holds delivery pressure steady through a full job.

If your work happens outdoors on farm, ranch or automotive equipment, the Hobart 770502 is the one to buy, because it is the only kit here that ships with both flashback arrestors and reverse-flow check valves. If copper tubing is the bread and butter of your work, the Uniweld KC100P Centurion handles up to 1 inch copper with a front valve handle built for exactly that.

If you cut steel regularly and warranty length matters to you, the Miller Tough Cut outfit carries a three year warranty and a cutting tip rated at 5/8 inch. If you work off small portable cylinders, the RX WELD Light Duty kit is built for that cylinder size and nothing else. For a first kit on a limited budget, the Stark USA outfit is complete enough to learn on, once you add flashback arrestors.

Whichever you choose, buy the cylinders at the same time and confirm the connector standard matches. It is the cheapest mistake to avoid and the one that causes the most frustration. If propane is more your speed than acetylene for heating-only work, our guide to propane torch kits covers the simpler fuel alternative, and hobbyists working with very small flames can compare lighter options like our picks for premium torch cigar lighters.

Oxy-acetylene has not changed in a hundred years, and that is exactly why it is worth learning. Pick the duty class that matches your thickest material, respect the gas, and the tool will still work for you long after your next machine purchase.