[TheForge] oxy-propylene, propane tips and air-arc

Fri Jun 22 19:34:09 EDT 2007

Ron C,

Even though I think enough of the potential for carbon-arc joining and cutting
to be in the middle of writing a book on the subject, no way can I agree with
recommending air-arc cutting generally; not without going into the truly nasty
aspects and safety concerns, which are frequently connected to air-arc cutting,
at length. Carbon-arcs are nothing to play around with in the absence of proper
training.

As to how clean the cuts are, that is only a question of careful set-up; with
the right jigs and fixtures, carbon-arc cutting can (and has been) used for
industrial machining. Back in my day (pterosaurs still flying), every welder at
Boing Boing Airplane company constructed his own miniature air carbon-arc (1/8"
carbons); we could carve a few thousandths of an inch off a weld bead with them
quite easily.
Mikey   

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Ron Childers
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 8:55 AM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] oxy-propylene, propane tips and air-arc

A #2 Propane tip works pretty well on my big ol Smith torch that was made
for oxy-ace. It cost about 12-15 $$ and cuts rr rail ok. Once the metal is
hot it's the oxygen that does the cutting. The Allsnakes torch may be better
but I would have to be convinced to spend the extra $635 when my torches
work pretty well.. 

I've had no problem switching from acetylene to propane and back again- not
enough mixing of gasses to matter by the time the regulator is swapped and
the torch is lit anyway.

If you want to get nasty, quick & dirty, use an air-arc torch. Truly a
matter of function over esthetics. It isn't pretty but does the job.

Ron C

----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ben Barrett
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 10:47 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] oxy-propylene

This is all *great* info... just another question, and a comment here.

Q:  What are the downsides of using a torch made for oxy/acet, with
propane?  Will I die or waste fuel or have no control, or what?  :)

Comment:  Screw Airgas -- *sorry* if they're your only choice.  I get
my B tank of acet, swapped along with a full 40 (I think, it is about
the same size as the B anyway) of oxy, for $25 total here at IWSI.
Right now that's about the same price as getting the 10-gal propane
tank filled... I've been told to avoid Airgas, unless your employer
makes the choice for you (even then...)
Curious about cross-use of hoses and such, I've heard re-purposing
*can* be safe, but that sharing should be avoided for this (ie, going
back and forth between different gasses in the same hose/reg/etc).

thanks!

ben

On 6/22/07, Chris Caswell <olayers at sover.net> wrote:
>
> I think propylene is hotter, and I would get it at Airgas where I get my
> other supplies.  The price quoted to me for a B tank of propylene was
> 24.99 (a refill) while acetylene was 27.32.   So it is  twice as much as
> propane.  Wonder if I could run propane thru a propylene hose and
regulator?
>
> Chris
>
>
> Jerry Frost wrote:
> > I know little to nothing about propylene as a fuel but even if it has
> > better heating properties is it easy to get? I mean commonly available
> > at every second gas station, Home Depot, 7-11, etc.? Is it economical?
> > Say around $12.00 for a 20lb. / 5gl. bottle?
> >
> > I know I see propane signs and tanks everywhere; you can get a tank
> > filled even in the remotest parts of Alaska. I don't recall ever
> > seeing propylene for sale, at least not advertised. So, where would I
> > look for it? What would I expect to pay for the equivalent of 20lbs of
> > propane?
> >
> > The downside to an All-States oxy propane rig is it's initial price.
> > Last time I checked they were running around $650 for the set. If you
> > want the special propane tank that fits your oxy acet cart that's
> > extra. The upside is that by the time I'd used up my first 20lb.
> > bottle of propane it'd paid for itself about 3 times over. Consumables
> > for the All-States oxy propane rig are about 2% what oxy acet is for
> > the same amount of work.
> >
> > Is propylene that much better?
> >
> > Frosty
> > -------------------------------
> > If it ain't forged
> > it ain't real.
> > Wrought iron is.
> > The FrostWorks
> >
> > Meadow Lakes, AK.
> >
> > http://www.artmetalradio.com/
> >
> > From: "Chris Caswell" <olayers at sover.net>
> >
> >> I would be getting a set designed specifically for oxy-propylene -
> >> not a super heavy duty one but as I prefer to use the coal forge as
> >> my primary heat source I think that will be ok!
> >>
> >> --
> >> Chris Caswell
> >
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