My Oxy/Fuel Experience

[Iplayfarmer]

I've been wanting an Oxy/Acetylene outfit for a while, and I finally pieced one together. I ended up with a fairly heavy duty Harris outfit. I bought both a propane tip and an Acetylene tip.

Tonight I tested out both fuels, and I was surprised to find that propane was a lot easier for me to use. The acetylene hissed a lot more, but the propane made a much cleaner cut that was easier to control. The two horizontal pieces in the picture below are my 2nd and 3rd cuts with propane. The piece standing up is my 6th or 7th attempt at cutting with Acetylene. I kept losing the cut and having to start over preheating and then resume cutting.

I am a total novice at this, and I have a ton to learn. Maybe after I learn how to set my pressures right and such with the Acetylene I'll like it better. For now I'm going to use propane for the real stuff and keep practicing with Acetylene.

 

[tommu56]

Was your set up a kit or pieces?
got any #

I have an old oxy/acetylene setup and the regulators and hoses are shot and the last time I used the torches all the orings were shot and leaking.
I was thinking of going propane.


tom

 

[Jeepnford]

Usually the Acetylene is set about 2-3 psi. The oxygen maybe around 10-15 psi for thinner stuff and higher for thicker steel. If you don't know this already don't ever go above 14 psi on acetylene,it can become unstable and explode.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Lots depends on tip size but from your pictures, you are way too hot so you need to turn down the acetylene a bit. You can run 5-7 gas pressure and cut just about anything of any thickness. You may have to go to a bigger tip for thicker stuff but the 7 PSI on the gas will still be enough. I dont think you can cut anything at 10-15 PSI on the oxygen. Standard pressure is around 40 and you can cut up to 2" thick with a 00 tip at that pressure. Just adjust the amount of gas just like you would on a propane stove, more gas gets more heat. You want to get a large enough flame to preheat but not so much that it melts the metal like in your photo.

 

[JB4310]

I've never used propane and always thought it was a cheaper and lower quality substitute.
But looking at your cuts with the propane, they look better than I usually get with O/A, That one you show with the acetylene cut is pretty typical to what I normally get, maybe a little rougher.

A steady hand is so critical to gas cutting, someone who's experienced can really move quickly, even though I've been gas cutting for over 30 years, I'm by no means a pro.

I find that with several large abrasive wheel saws now, that I rarely need to cut plate or other dimensional stock with torch, but at one time it was my go to tool for everything from heating, bending, cutting even burning holes for bolts. definitely a versatile tool I wouldn't want to be without.

JB.

 

[jayste]

Lots depends on tip size but from your pictures, you are way too hot so you need to turn down the acetylene a bit. You can run 5-7 gas pressure and cut just about anything of any thickness. You may have to go to a bigger tip for thicker stuff but the 7 PSI on the gas will still be enough. I dont think you can cut anything at 10-15 PSI on the oxygen. Standard pressure is around 40 and you can cut up to 2" thick with a 00 tip at that pressure. Just adjust the amount of gas just like you would on a propane stove, more gas gets more heat. You want to get a large enough flame to preheat but not so much that it melts the metal like in your photo.

Farmer, I agree with Gary here. 7psi acetylene and 20 psi on oxygen is what I've always used as nominal. Cutting very thick steel I'll raise it some but never excessive. Remember, small tip= thin metal and set heat accordingly. Large tip= thicker steel. I agree, the pic looks like you were too hot for the thickness of steel. Once you get it set always go full oxygen in the cut. What I mean is lever all the way down on the torch barrel. Remember, clean tip, clean tip, clean tip.....! Oh! Did I mention clean tip? I've used both propane and acetylene and prefer acetylene for the heat. Yes, it is more unstable than propane. Practice, practice, clean tip, clean tip.... BTW, the two you cut with propane do look good! Also, a good rule of thumb for me to make a straight cut is concentrate on the phrase "straight cut".

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I was running 5 PSI for everything... Oxygen, Acetylene, and Propane. The guy that sold me the propane tips suggested 5 and 5 for propane. Out of pure ignorance, I left it there when I went to Acetylene. Sound like I could maybe increase my oxy pressure. The tips were brand new, so they were clean.

I had a real hard time getting the acetylene dialed in. I never changed my regulator pressures, but I tried many combinations of settings on the handle. It really confused me. Ace is supposed to be so much hotter, but I couldn't get the cut to penetrate, and I kept losing the cut. Then you look at the cut and it looks like I'm too hot.

More reading. More practice. More advice from TBN.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Was your set up a kit or pieces?
got any #

I have an old oxy/acetylene setup and the regulators and hoses are shot and the last time I used the torches all the orings were shot and leaking.
I was thinking of going propane.


tom

Pieces.

The only things I bought from a store were tips and a striker (and a missing tip nut). I got an old set that included tanks, regulators, and a victor welding torch without a cutting attachment. Since the primary purpose I wanted one was for cutting I went out in search of a cutting attachment. I ended up with a full Harris #49 cutting and welding outfit. I'm still using the old regulators and old hoses. I exchanged my Oxygen tank for a new full one, and the acetylene tank is the old one with about 500 pounds still showing on the gauge. The propane tank is from by barbeque grill.

I really like the feel of the Harris torch. It feels nice and heavy duty. It fits my hand well. It looks absolutely brand new. I don't think it had ever been used before I got it.

The propane tip I'm using says 1NX on it. The Acetylene tip is a #2.

 

[MJPetersen]

The Acetylene tip is a #2.

#2 cutting tip!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cutting tip that you need for 1/4 inch material like you were cutting is #00 or at most #0. #2 is for REALLY thick stuff like 1 1/2 to 2 inch thick material. Check out Victor's web page for recommendations for pressures.

Mike

 

[brin]

I've got a Oxy/Acetylene outfit except for the tanks and cart. Can someone tell me what I would need to buy to have it work with propane - in other words propane like I use for my BBQ grill. Would I need and OXY tank or new tips ? anything else ? The hoses and the rest are all in good shape but are 20 yrs. old but have had little use. Thanks for any help.