Propane - Cutting & Welding - Tombstone ???

[IslandTractor]

Being the Fool that I am, just have to try welding some thin steel.

Some people just have to pee on the electric fence to find out for themselves.:thumbsup::laughing:

Go for it but thousands have tried before and it doesn't work. On the other hand you could use some of that fancy brazing rod, Alumaweld, and that would "weld" your thin sheet metal together. Really would probably work just fine for many purposes but it ain't welding.

 

[monckywrench]

I run appropriate tips and preheat is no problem. I hold the torch further out from the work than with acetylene. No need for an LP regulator for most work (modern acetylene regs are typically compatible including Smith and Victor).

I love LP for mobile salvage work because of reduced hazard and no overdraw limit. BBQ cylinders last a long time and are very convenient to carry.

The biggest scrapping torches are LP/other non-acetylene fuels and don't even offer acetylene tips.

 

[crash325]

I run appropriate tips and preheat is no problem. I hold the torch further out from the work than with acetylene. No need for an LP regulator for most work (modern acetylene regs are typically compatible including Smith and Victor).

I love LP for mobile salvage work because of reduced hazard and no overdraw limit. BBQ cylinders last a long time and are very convenient to carry.

The biggest scrapping torches are LP/other non-acetylene fuels and don't even offer acetylene tips.

Haven't tried cutting yet. But have been using the rose bud. Seams like it really needs to be cranked up. If used it like that with acetylene it would turn the metal into a puddle.

 

[IslandTractor]

Haven't tried cutting yet. But have been using the rose bud. Seams like it really needs to be cranked up. If used it like that with acetylene it would turn the metal into a puddle.

Remember that the hottest part of a propane flame is different from acetylene. Acetylene flame is hottest right near the inner cone very close to the nozzle while propane flame is hottest a few inches away. Holding a propane torch close to the work like it was acetylene is very inefficient.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Tip to work distance was likely the problem RJMACK had. I have never used propane, but have used MAPP gas and it does seem to take a bit longer to preheat prior to cutting, BUT according to all literature, propane has MORE BTU than acetylene but burns a bit colder which is likely the reason we take a bit longer to preheat to point of melting prior to cutting. I think when my bottle of acetylene runs out, I will try the propane. Investing in a LPG tip would not take a lot of money. If it works ok, may spring for the type T hose as my old hose is pretty old anyway, although when we used the MAPP gas on construction site, we used the same hoses for acetylene. I wonder if that was why they occasionally popped a hole in them?

 

[jake98]

The guy at Airgas was telling me that propolene (however you spell it) is a better gas to use than propane.

 

[yomax4]

The guy at Airgas was telling me that propolene (however you spell it) is a better gas to use than propane.

Propylene is a good Alternate Fuel. The welding supply distributors sell any Alt.Fuel Except Propane because they know you can buy Propane anywhere. They want your business so they all have a favorite Fuel that you have to get from them. Propylene, Chemoline, Lingas,Chemtane, Mapp etc. can only be bought through certain distributors. You can buy propane at any gas station. Home Depot, Lowes etc.
Propane is the lowest cost and runs just as well as the other Alt.Fuels.

 

[IslandTractor]

Propylene is a good Alternate Fuel. The welding supply distributors sell any Alt.Fuel Except Propane because they know you can buy Propane anywhere. They want your business so they all have a favorite Fuel that you have to get from them. Propylene, Chemoline, Lingas,Chemtane, Mapp etc. can only be bought through certain distributors. You can buy propane at any gas station. Home Depot, Lowes etc.
Propane is the lowest cost and runs just as well as the other Alt.Fuels.

Amen.

 

[deereman75]

Propylene is a good Alternate Fuel. The welding supply distributors sell any Alt.Fuel Except Propane because they know you can buy Propane anywhere. They want your business so they all have a favorite Fuel that you have to get from them. Propylene, Chemoline, Lingas,Chemtane, Mapp etc. can only be bought through certain distributors. You can buy propane at any gas station. Home Depot, Lowes etc.
Propane is the lowest cost and runs just as well as the other Alt.Fuels.

Air liquide actually does sell propane...

 

[crash325]

Remember that the hottest part of a propane flame is different from acetylene. Acetylene flame is hottest right near the inner cone very close to the nozzle while propane flame is hottest a few inches away. Holding a propane torch close to the work like it was acetylene is very inefficient.

Thanks for the advice. will give it a try
Jim