Acetylene torch question

[herr_oberst]

My neighbor offered to give me her acetylene torch and a pretty full tank with a regulator.
(She's a jeweler).
I was pretty excited about the offer, because my first thought was oxy/acetylene. Not to be, this is an air/acetylene rig.

So, other than copper plumbing or other soldering, what sort of work can be done with air/acetylene? It seems like most of the information on the internets is from the HVAC world....
Does air/acetylene give enough heat to braze steel? Any advice on what rod to use?

Also, all the fittings are sealed with plumbing-spec teflon tape. Is that OK, or should I replace that tape with natural gas-spec (yellow) tape?

[billybek]

Like a turbo torch or soft flame? For jewelry the torch tips would be very small and the heat very focused I would guess. Pictures would help.

[Zeke]

The tape is fine AFAIK. Most don't use any, just the soapy water test. Tanks of any sort and contents are expensive so this is a nice gift. You could add in O2 later if you wish. Check with the torch spec to see if you can use compressed air. It's a low pressure but gives good results. You should be able to braze and silver braze all day long. And you also may be able to adapt a cutting torch with the compressed air.

I was just reading about all this a week ago but I don't remember all I read. It's out there on the Google. I ended up using a propane/O2 setup with a Meco torch and a No. 1 tip (tiny) for some funky jewelry.

[Edit] I wanted to add that I checked with a regulator repair place I use and they told me any acetylene reg cab be used with propane tanks like the 20 lb BBQ type. The hose, if old, might not be rated for continuous propane use.

[fastfredracing]

Not to hijack the thread, but have you priced Acetylene lately ? Freaking crazy , most every body is converting over to propane , At my next fill up , Im going back to propane .
I think I paid over 100 to fill my tank last time around . Used to be 15.

[rfuerst911sc]

I didn't know you could substitute propane for acytelyne . Is it a straight up sub with no changes to regulators and handpieces ? Can you use for welding and cutting ?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I didn't know you could substitute propane for acytelyne . Is it a straight up sub with no changes to regulators and handpieces ? Can you use for welding and cutting ?

No changes. Less heat though so actual welding is not as easy. Probably have to go up
a size or 2 on the torch tip and that can get a little crazy. All the rest, cutting, brazing, heating parts — good to go.

[porsche930dude]

you need an adapter for the regulator and a different tip

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

you need an adapter for the regulator and a different tip

Acetylene regs screw right into propane tanks. LH threads same size. You're thinking of natural gas or LPG (I guess).

[porsche930dude]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Acetylene regs screw right into propane tanks. LH threads same size. You're thinking of natural gas or LPG (I guess).

you are right im thinking of my welder iv got an adapter on the mix gas regulator to go to the co2 tank

[Zeke]

I didn't know this until a month ago. I called (as I mentioned) the regulator repair place in GA and asked. BTW, I highly recommend Regulator and Torch Exchange [https://regulatortorchrepair.com/] for parts and service.