oxy acetalene torch

[na2ub]

I have an old oxy acetalene torch system with new hoses that I would like to try out. Do I use MAPP gas for the aceteline? Lowe's sells oxygen and MAPP gas, which I hope is all I need. Naturally I will check for leaks at the seals with the oxygen before I fire it up. Anything else I should be aware of with old equipment?

And to keep on topic, it will be for working on the Porsche

Doug

[greglepore]

If its "oxy-acetalene" then you'll need to go to an industrial gas supplier for cylinders and a regulator. Oxy/mapp torches are different animals entirely.

[emcon5]

http://www.airgas.com/customer_service/site_locator.aspx

[Grady Clay]

Doug,

An oxy-acetylene torch is a very useful tool. You can do very subtle metal work or heating all the way to cutting the hardest materials. As with many tools, the devil is in the details. There are many good books on this subject. With your library card, you should be able to check out great textbooks on the subject from your local Jr. College or public trade school. Here in Denver we have the Emily Griffith Opportunity School open to everyone at a bargain price. It is worth its weight in gold.

With an old oxy-acetylene torch, you need to pay careful attention to maintenance. The O-rings around torch components need to be new regularly (more often than annually) as cheep insurance. The control valves should be serviced. As you noted, the hoses replaced. Even the regulators should be serviced.

Safety is critical. Have the best goggles & face shields (use both), leather protection (particularly gloves) and more. The most outrageous dancing I’ve ever seen wasn’t Michael Jackson but someone with a 1700F blob of metal in his shoe.

I taught Chris this skill at age 6 and at age 7 he made horseshoe candlestick holders for everyone. Life’s good lessons.

This is regular, every-day industrial stuff and not very expensive. If you are going to do it – do it right and don’t get hurt. OTOH, there are skilled professional welders everywhere.

Best,
Grady

[rlane]

Make sure and take the whole setup with you to the welding supply house, there are several different type of fittings that are not interchangeable...the smaller cylinders use different fittings than the ag service size ones (there are many different adapters...so take the whole setup with you)

[john walker's workshop]

glob in the shoe, i remember it well.

[buster73]

Make sure there is no grease anywhere near the oxygen part of the unit.

[billyboy]

I have many socks with burn holes in them!

[efhughes3]

I love my rig. I seem to get a little better each time I use it. I've tried to focus on gas welding, and one day, I plan to make my wife some ornamental iron goodies. "course I may go be a mig welder for that!!

[74-911]

If you have no experience with the oxy-acetylene torch, highly recommend you spend an hour or so with someone who has before you start. It's not rocket science but knowing how to properly set up the equipment, what pressures to run for the oxygen and acetylene and how to properly light and adjust the torch is rather important. You can hurt yourself with this stuff (besides the metal blobs in your shoes), as both oxygen and acetylene can be highly explosive.

Grady's suggestion is the best though, check out local community colleges, etc. for an introductory welding course.

[afterburn 549]

check valves !!

[cstreit]

Ah yes, ended up with metal slag in my shirt pocket once.. Dance o' the fairies for sure!

[morrisjm1]

Depends on what you want to do. If you are only interested in cutting, MAPP gas is cheaper, and I think you can run it at higher pressures than acetylene so you can cut faster. However, you can't weld with it because it doesn't burn clean enough--even with the oxygen. Probably isn't suitable for brazing either, but I'm not sure. I wouldn't recommend firing it up inside your garage. I only use mine outside away from the house and have a fire extinguisher handy.

[Flank]

Ah yes, ended up with metal slag in my shirt pocket once.. Dance o' the fairies for sure!

I blew coffee out of my nose when I read that. Iv'e done that dance a few times also.

[na2ub]

I would probably only be using the torch for cutting / heating. I have a Lincoln 100 mig that seems ok for welding (I replaced my suspension pan etc.).

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
glob in the shoe, i remember it well.

Ditto!!!!!