[TheForge] Oxy-Acetylene Questions

Sun Feb 24 09:29:01 2002

John,

Sound words of advice from Ralph here. Two things stated need to be repeated
with emphasis. The first is Victor. When you buy Victor you know you are
buying quality, reliability and long life. The second is flashback
arrestors. I have some interesting photographs of the aftermath of a tank
explosion that could probably have been prevented had flashback arrestors
been installed at the regulator end of the hose. If anyone is interested
I'll scan them in and post them on the photoaccess site.

Donn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Sproul" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 7:17 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Oxy-Acetylene Questions

>         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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