Thread: New use for Oxy Acetylene set?

Hi Bloss
I have no argument with diy metalworkers using whatever gas they choose to cut weld and heat metal

The issue I have is with people who wish to do DIY surgery on items like gauges that control and regulate volatile gas.

To understand what I mean by volatile, one really needs to experience an "event".
Visualise it if you will, the young tradesman on nightshift ,about 2 am . The long necked acetylene heating torch he was using to melt the lead that sealed bolt heads in a housing backfired and then flashed back. The molten droplets of lead found their way into the big holes on the heating rose, then ka-flaming - boom!

They tell you about this sort of thing during theory training,folks but you don't really know or understand the shocking unrestrained power of a gas explosion.

Luckily It was winter,I was rugged up in a welding jacket with a woolen jumper underneath and was wearing welding gloves and a visor. The torch shank holding the heating rose was completely melted,turned into melted spatter and the rose was found 20 metres away.

The explosion partially deafened me and left me like a stunned mullet for the remainder of the shift.

Acetylene gauges funnily enough, are bloody well designed to control acetylene and do so in a safe manner. In theory you could probaly modify one to use LPG by why would you want to? the Bourdan tube or chamber is smaller and the delivery orifice is smaller from memory. The cost of modifying could not be justified when compared to the similiar cost of an LPG regulator gauge.

In oxy cutting with LPG,I am personally acquainted with the process, having driven an LPG profile for about 4 months.The cut quality is not the same.

It will not weld steel as steel takes as it takes around 3,300 C degrees to become molten wheres the LPG ( from my dodgy memory) is about 2,700 C.

Incidentally when cutting steel only about 800 degrees C is needed for ignition.

I think if there is a solution it could come in a similar type arrangement that wood turners/woodworkers have in sharing equipment. Maybe 2 or 3 people could share in the operating costs of an oxy acetylene plant.

I just get really toey when I hear of, or see individuals ready to risk their personal safety just to save a dollar or two.

Sorry Ken my comments where never meant for you.
Have a good week end everyone
Grahame

Since I've already taken the cake for asking another stupid question this week, may as well top myself.

All ridiculous answers will be kept discrete.

Ken

Ken, I really don't think that the question was stupid at all. It would however be stupid to attempt something unknown and potentially dangerous without asking.

Your question has generated a lot of responses that have enlightened many members and observers of the dangers, and I think that is a very good thing.

Please don't feel foolish. It takes guts to ask questions such as yours, when we all know that responses can be less than flattering
at times.

"The issue I have is with people who wish to do DIY surgery on items like gauges that control and regulate volatile gas."

Couldn't agree more . . .

And I have witnessed an acetylene explosion (in the '60s) that took part of an arm off one bloke and damaged the sight of another - and all due to some short cuts taken by someone who thought it would be OK.

As you say volatile gases are not to be played about with. Even the lack of nous when hot molten metal is involved amazes me - I have seen guys welding with rubber thongs & shorts and then wondering why they get burns! As well as chipping off hot slag without goggles etc. Some people just ask for trouble . . .

BTW - Grahame, love the tips and guidance you give, just a pity I didn't have the net 40 years ago when I started dabbling with welding & cutting (although for the first few years I had a good mentor).

Originally Posted by Fossil

Ken, I really don't think that the question was stupid at all. It would however be stupid to attempt something unknown and potentially dangerous without asking.

Fossil, I think you're right on the money there, mate.

Seeking advice from clever buggers like Grahame before a potentailly risky undertaking is a very sensible thing to do, so dont lose any sleep over having asked the question, Ken. In fact, thanks for starting the thread, as I for one have found it quite interesting and informative.

Personally I'd use LPG over Acetylene for most applications on safety grounds.
Acetylene is a high explosive (it doesn't just burn above 91%, it explodes). For safety it is stored in plaster of paris soaked in acetone, the bottle pressures are slightly lower than LPG so you have a risk of damaging the regulator on LPG.
Having helped clean up (what was left of)the CIG Preston plant after an Acetylene explosion, the damage can be extensive, parts of the plant were found 2km away.

One of the riskiest aspects of owning oxy gear is opening the bill for the annual cylinder rental - particularly if you have a weak heart.

I just paid my bill this morning for 3 E size (one for mig) - now nearly $440 pa. before you buy any gas. Is there any real competition any more from other suppliers?

Another use for acetylene seems to be blowing up ATM machines...

we use lpg/oxy in a standard O/A kit and have no problems.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

I'm hoping Grahame will jump in here, our revered welding technologist.

Years ago, I worked for CIG, and one of the perks was a "very cheap" oxy set.

It's been sitting under the house for many years unused, simply because I refuse to pay the exorbitant rental costs, even for small D size bottles.

My question is this, what other forms of gas can be used, if any.

For example, can I hook it up to town gas with say compressed air?

I know it's a dumb question, but there may be others in my boat who no nothing.

Ken

Im not sure how old some of you are but who remebers the old mission impossible
series? well they always had a small oxy actlene kit.
Well I asked around and found a small kit that is mapp and oxy, not sure how hot it will get but it silver solders and I think it will braze , they say it will cut and weld . I have not tryed these yet.... When I bought it they told me the could get some more in as the main store had about 3-5 in stock early last year...