CJ,

Prestolite torches draw in atmospheric air from the front, right at the point where the tip screws into the handle. If the torch has sat idle for years, the air inlets could be clogged with dust, dirt, soot or insect nests. Take the tip out, remove the hose, and blow the torch body thorough from both ends with compressed air. If you don't have an air compressor, get one of those cans of air they sell to clean computers.

If that doesn't do it, you may have a problem with your regulator not supplying sufficient gas. In that case, you need to take the whole works to your welding supplier and have it checked out by a pro.

Rich

Are you using the very tiny tip? It can be a hard one to light without blowing it out a few times in the process. Try a bigger tip and/or reduce the presure.

marilyn

I do appreciate the helpful suggestions on how to solve my torch problem. I'm not so lost when soldering with an iron while building stained glass, both leaded and copperfoil but I'm on a learning curve with a torch. I think my biggest problem is overcoming my fear of them. I just wanted to say thanks for people taking the time to give me some guidance.
CJ

Sometimes it helps to just turn the regulator all the way out. it should have no flow, then turn it in until you get a good flame. They seem to "pop -out a bit less with a slightly lower pressure. The small tips just dont seem to be able to use too much gas. And the big ones still seem like you can "cram" too much gas thru it.

P.S.: If you can not stop the flow the regulator is hardened or leaking. This would be by backing the knob all the way out. Then its rebuild kit time. Cheap, easy, and you wont burn your house down! thats So good! God bless! be safe! Rob

Hi all,

I just purchased a new air acetylene torch and have it all set up, checked for leaks, and all is well EXCEPT I don't quite "get" this regulator.  It just shows full to empty.  The instructions say there are "letters embossed on two flat surfaces on the screw" that are supposed to regulate the pressure.  We have looked all over that thing for an "A," "B," or "C," but they are no where to be found. What screw? I would have thought it was the cap, but since it's supposed to line up with the cap, that doesn't make sense.   Instructions say "The regulator valve opens when the point of the diamond around letter "A" is flush with the front surface of the cap."  I'm assuming the cap is the black dial that says Prest-o-lite, so the letters should be somewhere around there.  Can someone tell me what I'm missing here?