Is there a right way to shut off a torch .

[fastfredracing]

Oxy acetylene , seems as if my tips are always clogging, and I am constantly cleaning them.
I used it this morning, it was working perfect, picked it up just now, and spitting and sputtering, flame only coming out of 3 of the little holes in the tip.
Should I not shut it off hot, and maybe turn off the oxy, and let it cool down with a small acetylene flame for a few seconds ?
I figured , if any body knows, someone here would .

[looneybin]

could you have some small debris in the line?
i've seen where the hoses can get dirty laying the back of a truck bed, then when attached to the tanks, the dirt/sand gets into the system

maybe get a skull head snuffer, and say "the tribe has spoken" and it should be fine //sarcasm font//

[fastfredracing]

I don't believe it is debris. It always looks like slag has clogged the little holes.

[ossiblue]

I did a quick research and found most sites recommend shutting off the oxy first when using acetylene as a fuel.

[sammyg2]

Shut off O2 first, then fuel.
It'll cause more soot and could dirty up your tip but at least you won't be testing your backflow preventer to see if the cylinder explodes or not.
Of course that's an exaggeration but i have seen backfire pops damage torches and blow holes in hoses.

Anytime I hear a loud bang in my shop, someone is going on mop detail.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Shut off O2 first, then fuel.

This is interesting. Have been looking at an Oxy/Propane setup for a bit to upgrade my Bernzomatic two tiny tank set up.

This guy does just the reverse. See 3:00 in.

[pete3799]

i always shut the oxy. off first. Don't know if it really makes a difference or not.
Check your O rings and make sure everything is tight.
I run 7 lbs acetylene and 30 on oxy. for cutting.

[sammyg2]

If you shut off the fuel first, there's a good chance the torch will backfire and the flame can travel backwards towards the regulator. The backflow preventer is supposed to ... prevent this.

The same thing can happen if you turn up the oxygen too high. Not allowed in my shop.

How to Properly Light, Adjust and Shut Down an Oxy–Acetylene Torch
Lighting, adjusting and shutting down an oxygen-acetylene torch is easy – especially when following the proper procedures. In addition to these easy to follow instructions, you must always be sure to follow the torch manufacturer's operating procedures.

First - before you attempt to light the torch follow these checks:

Make sure regulator pressure adjustment screws are backed out!
Make sure torch valves are closed!
Stand away from front of regulator
Separately and slowly open the oxygen and acetylene cylinder valves
Adjust regulator p/a screws to tip pressure settings
Open/close torch valves separately and fine tune pressure settings on regulators
Depress cutting lever and adjust pressure if necessary
Lighting and adjusting the torch (with a positive/equal pressure mixer):

Separately purge both oxygen and fuel gas lines
Open fuel gas valve 1/2 turn
Ignite flame with striker
Increase fuel gas flow until flame leaves end of tip and no smoke is present
Decrease until flame goes back to tip
Open oxygen valve and adjust to neutral flame
Depress oxygen lever and make necessary adjustments
Shutting down the torch (with a positive/equal pressure mixer):

Close oxygen torch valve
Close fuel gas torch valve
If the torch/regulators and gases are done being used for a while, follow these procedures:

Close oxygen and fuel gas cylinder valves
Separately purge oxygen and fuel gas lines
Make sure all regulator gauges read 0
Back out regulator pressure adjustment screws!
If you are using in a commercial environment, report any damage, etc. to your supervisor
The procedures for using a Harris torch with an injector mixer for alternate fuels vary slightly from the information listed above. These procedures can be found in our alternate fuel section. There you can also find informative procedural and application videos.

How to Properly Light, Adjust and Shut Down an Oxy–Acetylene Torch | The Harris Products Group

Also, no lubrication allowed on the fittings or o-rings that could come in contact with the O2, and never use acetylene unless the tank is vertical and has been that way for at least a half hour.
Otherwise the acetone can hit the torch which on a good/bad scale is way down at the bottom, near the bad mark.

And never over 25 psi on the reg. I usually don't go over 15 psi.

[1990C4S]

Shutting off the oxygen first will let you know if you have an acetylene leak.

[fastfredracing]

Learn something new every day here. I guess I could have looked this up on my own, but you guys are great. I appreciate it .
I always shut down n the oxy first, so, i guess I am doing it right. Ill fine tune my reglaotors tomorrow morning

[sammyg2]

About a hundred years ago a co-worker was bored on the 4th of July as he didn't have his usual load of fireworks for the neighborhood block party.
So he got an idea:
He got out his oxy/acetylene torch and lit it and adjusted it to a neutral flame, and snuffed it out against a 2x4. He then stuck the torch in a hefty bag and filled up the bag and tied it off.

He wrapped some toilet paper around a string for a fuse and lit it and ran away.
It went boom. Really really boom.
It was on the side of his house and the explosion caved in the stucco wall and lifted the roof off the rafters on his house and his neighbor's house.
He made bail the next day.
Don't try this at home.

[sammyg2]

I'm thinking it looked something like this:

[sammyg2]

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Personally, I use oxy/ propane.
It is MUCH safer and does the same job.
The only place you will miss acetylene it is if you need REALLY HOT to bend one inch and bigger stuff

How does it do with a cutting torch?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by pete3799

I run 7 lbs acetylene and 30 on oxy. for cutting.

Interesting. I've always used 5/15 or 7/20 but you probably work with heavy stuff.

OxyAcet is getting expensive.
For heating bolts I use the welding tip on my bitty portable kit. 3/12 or something like that.

[fastfredracing]

Ive been thinking about trying propane. I bought the tip a few weeks back I don't generally do much heavy cutting, usually just a muffler, or heating exhaust manifold bolts , and general light duty stuff.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Ive been thinking about trying propane. I bought the tip a few weeks back I don't generally do much heavy cutting, usually just a muffler, or heating exhaust manifold bolts , and general light duty stuff.

I'm curious about it too. I'm not too worried about the cost as much as the safety aspect. Acetylene is dangerous stuff.
I just spent almost $3000 on a couple of OSHA approved bottle carts with the fire wall between the bottles.

[Por_sha911]

Chuck Norris style: pinch the flame out with your thumb and forefinger.