[TheForge] Oxy/Propane reprise

[Dave Mudge]

Paul, I have used propane exclusively (for gas) in my shop for 20 years.
It is a lot cleaner and way less expensive and only a little cooler per volume
of flame than acetylene. I do not recommend using a rosebud. Rosebuds are
generally a waste of fuel unless you are heating some really big work.
Instead, I recommend using brazing tips. They come in an infinite
verity of sizes
from "000" to "10". You can use acetylene brazing tips with propane fuel
however if you are buying new tips, get the ones made for propane.
A number 8, 9 or 10 propane brazing tip will give you nearly as much heat
as a rosebud and is more controllable and a lot more economical.
Another point is the debate over using hoses and regulators made for
acetylene with propane as your fuel. I have never had any kind of problem
running propane through my acetylene regulators and hoses.
dave m

On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 9:20 PM, Paul N <crosspein at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> I know some of this has been discussed here before, but I wasn't far
> enough along in my "education" to be too concerned about it at the time.
>
> I've recently bought a "moderately priced" medium duty oxy fuel setup
> (torch handle, regulators, Type 'T' fuel line, etc) and picked up an O2
> cylinder at the local gas supplier this week. I'm planning on using
> oxy-propane to cut some 3/8" steel plate that I picked up for a song at
> a barn sale a few months ago.
>
> I've gathered some information about oxy-propane cutting, and I think
> I'm ready to try that (I took a couple of welding/cutting classes at the
> local community college, so I'm not totally unprepared)
>
> I decided to go oxy/propane because I already have propane on hand, and
> didn't really want to deal with another fuel right now. (although some
> oxy/acetylene welding may be attractive to me from time to time for some
> pieces too heavy for my little 175amp wire feed)
>
> The question I have is regarding future use of oxy/propane as a fuel for
> localized heating (tweaking scrolls, basket handles, collaring,
> rivet-heading tenons, etc). I was just shopping around for a rosebud for
> the handle I picked up (It says it's a 142T, which I believe is
> compatible with a Victor 100) Anyway, the propane rosebud for the Victor
> 100 is about $80, which startled me a bit (on a tight budget...) Things
> I've found "googling" indicate that using an acetylene rosebud with
> propane would be a bad move.
>
> So, should I be bothering with a rosebud, and perhaps just use the
> "pre-heat" of the cutting head for my localized heating?
>
> I have no experience with a rosebud, and I'm wondering if perhaps it's
> overkill for my anticipated use. whattya think?
>
>
> Thanks,
> **Paul N.
>
>
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