[TheForge] Oxy-Acetylene Questions

Sun Feb 24 00:54:01 2002

A couple points regarding oxy propane versus oxy acet.

First. If you buy an All States oxy prop rig you'll find it out performs oxy
acet in every process EXCEPT welding. I've owned an All States rig for a
long time and can say from personal experience it doesn't weld worth spit
and I've never seen another oxy prop rig that'll hold a candle to it.

Second. Propane is heavier than air and will pool in low spots like
basements making a very effective fuel air explosive device. So unless you
want to potentially turn your house into a bomb I'd avoid propane in the
basement. Unless you have a basement like ours which daylights through
double doors at ground level on one side, even then I'm not that comfortable
with it in the basement.

Can't say about mapp.

Acet is lighter than air and poses less of an explosion hazard. However if
it does manage to collect somewhere and ignite it's far more powerful an
explosive than propane. An oxy acetylene explosion has a rate of propogation
of around 24,500 fps. or about the same force as C4 plastic explosive.

All in all I'd avoid a torch in a basement if I had an alternative. If not
I'd make sure I had excellent ventilation. Regardless of how careful you
are, you have to consider the risk to other's in apartment building.

Renting a rig will kill you. Renting bottles is pretty common, check around
for the best deal.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Frankl" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002 8:27 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Oxy-Acetylene Questions

> Hello All,
>
> I have a couple of questions regarding Oxy-Acetylene welding rigs.
>
> First, I have been told Oxy-Mapp or Oxy-Propylene is much safer and just
> as functional. Any thoughts?
>
> Second, what are my options and concerns for using this in the basement of
> my apartment?
>
> Finally, what are my options concerning renting tanks or a complete rig?
>
> Thanks for the help,
>
> John
>
>
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