Oxy-propane setup.

T Bourke - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 8:18am

I have been reading every post on torches here and spent some time on Google looking for the best way to do this. I am looking for confirmation that I am looking at the right way to go about this.

Currently I do not have any oxy-fuel equipment. Since I can weld with my stick welder all I need is to cut and heat for bending steel/rebar. The local/regional welding place did not seem too keen on selling me a propane setup. I guess I need to go in with a shopping list. Here is what I have in mind:

20# grill type propane tank from local gas station.
From the welding supply place
Oxy tank rental S or K size (154 vs 249 CUft)
Oxy-acetylene torch rig (they sell Harris and others)
Upgrade to "T" grade hose
get propane cutting and rose bud tips

Thank you.
Tom

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Tom, Sounds to me like

Rich Waugh - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 9:06pm

Tom, Sounds to me like you're pretty much on the right track. I'm a bit surprised that your local welding supply would try to discourage you from using oxy/propane, but I can assure you it is a very satisfactory method for heating and cutting. Not good for fusion welding, but for all else it's just dandy and considerably cheaper than acetylene. There are a couple of things you should know up front:

A regular acetylene regulator isn't going to be real handy, as it is limited in the available secondary pressure. To operate big rosebuds you may want as much as 45-50 psi propane, so you'll really want a good propane regulator. It will also have seals that are compatible with propane, and some acetylene regulators may not. The same applies with the type T hose as opposed to the type R for acetylene only.

Naturally, you need the special two-piece tips for the cutting torch. A three-tube dedicated cutting torch is the best way to go.

In 99% of the places in the US, it is forbidden by the National Fire Code to store propane indoors. No exception is made for welding gas cylinders. Propane is heavier than air and presents special problems if there is a leak. Curiously, while you may not have the compressed gas cylinder indoors, there is no prohibition against plumbing the gas in, provided you follow the code. My shop is done that way, with tank pressure propane piped through black iron pipe to the point of use where I have regulators.

Get the bigger oxygen cylinder - the stoichiometric ratio for oxygen to propane is higher than that for acetylene so you'll need more oxygen. If you can't get what you need locally, you can probably get it at Welding Depot: http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/index.html?id=L2dKAcwb

I personally prefer Victor equipment over the others, a purely personal preference based on feel and finish. Some of the Victor clones are fully compatible with actual Victor parts, others are not. If you think about getting one of the clones, ask about compatibility. Whenever possible, I recommend dealing with your local supplier, since that's where you'll need to go for gas, consumables and advice/repairs. In my case, that isn't possible and I deal with Welding Depot and Indianapolis Oxygen online for my supplies other than gases. Both are good to deal with.

Hope this helps.

Rich

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torch set ups

Stephen Fitz-Gerald - Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 10:59am

Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Tom,
I also HIGHLY recommend Victor torches over Harris.
They'll last a lifetime and replacement parts are usually readily available. They're well worth the added expense.

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Well some of my choices have

T Bourke - Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 4:30pm

Well some of my choices have been made for me. My dad gave me his old OA set. I just have to take over the tank lease.

It is an old Victor unit. I plan on taking it to the local welding shop (who also services the lease) and having them give it a once over. I already know it needs some new hoses and check valves. Beyond that some fresh tips.

Now I just have to learn to use it. Growing up I spent lots of time with the stick welder, and not time with the OA setup.

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If you have a community

Rich Waugh - Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 6:47pm

If you have a community college nearby that offers courses in gas welding, I'd suggest you take one. If you do nothing else, buy a good textbook on gas welding and thoroughly study it.

There are some very important safety rules concerning O/A that you have to know in order to survive the experience, to say nothing of enjoying it. Acetylene can be very dangerous if you don't follow the rules exactly.

The best advice I can give you, other than the safety stuff, is what my old welding mentor used to tell me: "Get your face right down there in the puddle!" You need to watch the puddle closely in order to weld well, whether its gas, stick, MIG or TIG.

Have fun!

Rich

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There is a school near by

T Bourke - Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 8:30pm

There is a school near by that offers the proper class. I do plan on taking it.

I have been reading quite a bit on line about running an OA rig. With the information on line at least I should be able to keep from blowing my self up. That and the local welding shop is pretty good about helping out.

I plan on doing more research before I light it up again.

Thank you. I will keep you all apprised of my progress.

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found a good site.

T Bourke - Monday, August 24, 2009 - 5:06pm

http://www.fortunecity.com/village/lind/247/weld_book/Ch11.htm

Between the torch manual and this link I have all I need to know to run it safe. So far I like it.

I have a brand new #2 cutting tip in it (it's what it came with.) Seems to work great for heating rebar for bending (one of my normal media) and cutting. Unfortunately according to the charts it is really too big for the thickness steel I tend to cut. Most of what I have to cut is under 1/4". Can't wait to get to the welding shop for more tips.

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