[TheForge] Oxy/Propane reprise

Fri Nov 6 22:03:50 EST 2009

In theory, fuel gas fittings are reverse ( LH) thread.
Old acet regulators seem to tolerate propane just fine in my experience. 
The newer ones are more questionable apparently.
Is your forge regulator adjustable across an appropriate range?
Acet regs are not designed to perform above 15 PSi supposedly, whereas, 
if you get a big propane rosebud you will probably want to crank the 
propane pressure up higher.
A single stage regulator is fine for propane generally.

Wayne Ackman wrote:
> ok, thinking about hose connections.  If I use my acetylene regulator -- 
> that is reverse threaded. so should I use a regulator like the one that 
> goes to the forge.
> 
> Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer wrote:
>> Ben:
>> There are air/propane torches used industrially for hard soldering as i 
>> recall.
>> I might add that quick-take-a-part hose connections allow you to easily 
>> swap out different torches and fuel gasses.
>>
>> Ben Barrett wrote:
>>   
>>> Wayne, I think you will be pleased.  I have a propane-specific gas
>>> saver, which is dandy,
>>> but a friend has a fuel saver built for acetylene which he uses on
>>> propane with no problems.
>>> I rigged up a simple foot-operated lever on the floor to switch my
>>> torch on when it is positioned in the vise (above and in-line with the
>>> pilot),
>>> and I got a cheap harbor freight torch which happens to be compatible
>>> with victor tips (I use a #0 and #2 propane-specific cutting tips,
>>> which were about $22 each at my local welding supply IIRC).  I did
>>> switch the hoses also, after multiple warnings that the cheaper hose
>>> made for acetylene will break down over time when exposed to propane,
>>> and develop slow leaks (hopefully they never spring for y'all who use
>>> the lesser grade!).  I have no trouble lighting the torch, but have
>>> not yet experimented with a brazing head (or a rosebud for that
>>> matter).
>>>
>>> The combination of a foot-controlled torch and a small fountain pump
>>> in my quench tank (supplying a stream of water above it) make quick
>>> and easy work of all sorts of small spot-heating and bending/shaping
>>> work.  There are times I want a jeweler-sized torch, and times I want
>>> much more heat, but I have been thinking I wished I had this torch
>>> setup before I even had a forge built!
>>>
>>> My only suggestion is to use the largest size oxy bottles you can
>>> handle, so you get a better price and don't have to swap them as
>>> often.  I'm curious about running a torch-like propane burner with
>>> forced air (compressor, hair dryer, etc) if it could maintain a flame
>>> in open air... anyone tried that sort of thing?  I know my propane
>>> forge can get hot enough to weld in, but I'm wondering what it takes
>>> to maintain a useful propane-air flame outside of the forge
>>> atmosphere/enclosure.  Just a matter of mixing the syrupy fuel with
>>> air, right?  Time to experiment some more, I suppose!
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Ben
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 4:58 PM, Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer
>>> <artgawk at thegrid.net> wrote:
>>>     
>>>> Mine does.
>>>>
>>>> Wayne Ackman wrote:
>>>>       
>>>>> I have been thinking of getting a propane setup as the last job I did --
>>>>> curving the spiral on an oversize rail used a lot of gas.  But I was
>>>>> wondering,  if it is harder to light... will it work with a gas saver.
>>>>> I hang mine and it turns off.  and re-lights quickly as it passes the
>>>>> flame for the next use.  Will that work with propane?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Ron Childers wrote:
>>>>>         
>>>>>> I bought a #2 propane adaptor tip for about $13 and it does a good job
>>>>>> heating or cutting railroad rail. The small Victor seems to work fine on
>>>>>> small stuff as-is. Trickier to light than acetylene....
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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