[TheForge] MAPP gas vs. acetylene

[jerry Frost]

Is it just timing or what, guys on Iforgeiron are currently talking about
oxy propane torches and I've been using an Allstates rig for a good 25
years. Clyde Wynia bought one lo those many years ago and uses his so much
he's actually warn it out more than once. Harris makes the Allstates rig but
the patent ran out so Harris can now market the torch for les than half the
money. I'm still trying to sift through the messages and maybe see if I can
get Bill Kingsley of Harris to put together a set or kit list so we can take
it to the local dealer or look it up in their books.

ON the up side oxy propane is far less expensive on several points. The
simple numbers are 2% of oxy acet in consumables. Then there's availability,
just try getting a bottle of acetylene on a passenger anything let alone
plane. You can buy propane almost literally anywhere and even a Bernzomatic
or Coleman stove propane bottle will run an oxy propane torch for a
surprising length of time. One major down side is trying to weld with oxy
propane, doesn't work worth spit. I think the gas velocity is so high it
just blows molten steel out of the puddle as soon as it melts.

I'm not trying to sell anything, don't get a cut I just LOVE my oxy propane
rig. I'll let you know when I get some part numbers, well in some order I
understand. 

Jer
-----Original Message-----
From: TheForge [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce
.
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2014 5:42 PM
To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] MAPP gas vs. acetylene

I've just started thinking (again) how convenient it would be to have a
hotter torch.  Currently I have a Bernzomatic-type propane torch which I can
use with MAPP gas.  I also have some sort of swirling/mixing ambient
air-propane torch which puts out a lot more heat than a standared propane
torch; a good torch, but not a really well-designed one.

I've thought of getting an acetylene rosebud torch, but also was thinking of
getting a propane-oxygen torch.  I just inquired about the latter at a local
gas supply retailer and was told the same equipment can be used for propane
as for acetylene, except that an adapter was needed for the propane
cylinder. (I knew that.)

Just as I'm mulling this over in my usual slow fashion, I stumbled upon an
article from 1992 in "The Powerhammer" by "H&K Publishing".  There's no
by-line on the article itself, but the publisher was Richard R. Kern, who
apparently also wrote a book on the Little Giant Power Hammer.

Anyway, the author of this 3-part article makes a strong case for MAPP gas
in lieu of acetylene.  He asserts that MAPP gas is (in my words), better,
cheaper, and safer than acetylene. This may be a considerable
oversimplification of his assertions, which I haven't fully digested yet,
but if his assertions are correct, it makes me wonder why anyone still uses
acetylene.

I'd be interested in other opinions on the subject.

Bruce
NJ
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