I remember oxy-acetylene welding with coat hangers for filler rod too. I never had any confidence in the strength in those joints! "butter soft"

By the way, Hooda - I've got a "purox" oxy-acetylene welding/cutting rig in my family as well, that I learned welding on! I think my grandpa purchased it originally a long time ago, to maintain a worn out used bulldozer he owned. I should ask my dad for the history on it. It's kind of a funny coincidence, I think "purox" nowadays is not a very common brand. I did get some replacement welding torch tips for it a few years ago for it by the way, they were sold under a different brand name, can't remember what it is called at the moment. But definitely still serviceable equipment. The acetylene regulator is really old too. The oxygen regulator got replaced once or twice along the road though I think, it's definitely not the original.