Posted by Valerie on October 15, 1997 at 19:22:33:

In Reply to: Re: Oxyacetylene Set-up posted by Gene Olson on October 15, 1997 at 17:00:34:

: Here the Smith safety man said that the above (adjust for a not-smoky flame) is the actually too low for optimal performance and safety. It is the _very_minimum_ fuel gas volume to be used. That the actual optimal output of the torch tip occurs closer to the point that the flame jumps off the tip. I would check with Smith, the guy was pretty emphatic about this. If you need less heat, invest in a smaller tip.

These are good points that the Smith fella says. Yes, in actuality, you open up the acetylene more than just past smokey. That "just past smokey" is more like how I adjust the cutting torch. Many sources say to open acetylene, light and then adjust so that the flame jumps away when the torch is moved quickly in one direction. It is kind of a quick sweep or flick motion.

The way I get it to the optimum acetylene volume with torch valve adjustment is to open, light, and then adjust so that I get a slight "necking" down of the flame right out of the torch, a little wider a short distance from torch (maybe 1/4-1/2") and then another slight "necking" or narrowing down of the flame about that same distance again away from the torch. But this is too darned hard to try to easily explain without a picture. And it is only best seen with a relatively new tip (or if used, has always been properly cleaned-no reaming out-of-round with that tip cleaner). Anyway, it is a quick way that I can see it with the filter lens.

To be honest, most of us do the adjustment by sound and sight. It is hard to explain how to get the correct volume setting for the tip. Yes, it is a matter of the p.s.i. at the regulator, but it is also a function of how much you open the torch valve and the size of the tip.

I wish I could just show you here with a quick-time video!! Maybe in a few months, we'll set things like that up!!

Follow Ups:

Follow UpsPost FollowupBramblebush ForumsFAQ