[TheForge] Oxy-Acetylene Questions

Sun Feb 24 08:08:00 2002

        John,  The few items to watch out for would be not dropping the
tanks down the cellar stairs with safety caps off, acetylene leaks, and
getting oil on the oxygen tank stem.  If you fasten them to a wall so you
can' t pull them over by tugging on the hose - would also be handy as
they'll have the regulators on them at that point.
        Mapp and Propylene are fuel gases and same leaking safety would
apply.  I use acetylene so maybe others can expound on these gasses.
        Welding supply places would rent the tanks with a lease and you pay
the gas..........they maintain the tanks - so I find that to be a good deal
to me as I run 10 different tanks on my trucks and trailers.  Some will sell
you tanks and you have to deal with maintenance charges, but I like the
rental plan better.   I don't believe anyone will rent you a set of torches
for liability reasons, but I may be wrong on that -dont' know.
        My real advice on this situation is to get a decent set of torches
for about $500 that has flashback arrestors and flow checks in the system,
as well as the nice array of attachments like cutting head, welding tips,
and rosebud so you can invest once and have all you need in the torch
department.  It costs more to go back and buy all the parts one by one.  I
like the Victor torches and also have some old Airco torches which are now
manufactured by another company - have had good luck with both.
        When you hook up your regulators, hose, and torch...........turn the
tanks on then shut them off..........if the guages drop you have a
leak.......find it, stop it, try again.  Soapy water will tell you where it
is.  If you smell fuel gas when turning on the fuel tank........take it
back, the packing is leaking and that would be a major problem in your
basement.
        Good luck with you new torches.

Ralph


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Frankl" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 12:27 AM
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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