How to Read Gauges on Acetline Torches

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An oxy acetylene torch is an affordable and versatile tool used by many people to heat, weld, solder, and cut metal. It uses extreme heat to role, and setting it upwards properly is one of the most of import steps in using it safely. Using pressure-reducing regulators, connecting gas supplies, and safely lighting the torch flame are all essential parts of learning how to use an oxy acetylene torch.

1. 1

   Spike oxygen and acetylene cylinders in an upright position. If y'all have a cylinder cart, place both the oxygen and acetylene cylinders into it. If non, they should be securely fastened with a chain to a workbench, a wall, or a post. Cylinders should non exist able to exist knocked or pulled over.^[one]

   • Cylinders should simply be used and stored in the vertical position.

2. 2

   Clean the valve outlet of accumulated dust or dirt. Stand so the outlet is facing away from your body and open the valve a i/4 turn, very quickly, and then close it. This will clear out whatsoever grit or dirt that may have settled in the valve. Information technology needs to be cleaned out otherwise the debris might go into other parts of the torch and cause it to malfunction.^[2]

   • Warning: never clear a fuel gas cylinder near other welding work that is in progress or well-nigh sparks or flames.

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3. 3

   Connect the oxygen and acetylene regulators to their cylinders. The regulators let you see how much pressure level you lot're using while working and are essential to safely starting and operating an oxy acetylene torch.^[3]

   • If the regulator and cylinder have different threads (meaning they don't fit into each other), you volition need to use an adaptor, which can be purchased at any local hardware store.

4. 4

   Tighten the nuts of the regulator connections with a wrench. Don't presume because you have turned the nut equally far as y'all can with your mitt that it is tight enough. Use a wrench with a fixed opening (rather than an adjustable wrench) that is designed specifically for welding tools. You can buy these from a hardware store or a specific apparatus supplier.^[4]

   • If you ever need to make an adjustment after the cylinder has been opened and used, make sure to close the cylinder valve before tightening the nut once more.

5. five

   Rotate the pressure-adjusting screw to the left until it turns freely. Do this for each regulator. The valve in the regulator needs to be closed earlier cylinder pressure is admitted. Turning the pressure level-adjusting screw counter-clockwise removes the force per unit area from the spring in the regulator.^[5]

   • When the screw turns freely, y'all should exist able to just tap it with your finger and see it move, rather than having to apply pressure.

6. 6

   Open up the oxygen and the acetylene valves very slowly. Make sure you can see the cylinder-pressure gauges, simply don't stand up directly in front of the valves. Open the valves slowly to protect yourself and your motorcar from any potential combustion.

   • Open the oxygen valve very slightly at first and pause until the pressure guess manus isn't moving any more before moving on to open the valve fully.
   • The acetylene valve should never be opened more than 1 and ane/ii turns.^[6]

7. 7

   Get out the wrench on the acetylene valve while information technology is open. Basically, if y'all accept an emergency you won't have to waste product time looking for an appropriate wrench. If it'due south on there, yous'll be able to close the cylinder valve right away.^[7]

   • In full general, information technology'south smart to work in an area where you can reach all your tools without having to search for them. Think ahead when yous are starting a project and bring your tools to your workspace earlier beginning.

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1. 1

   Apply a hose and hose connections specific to welding and cut. Oxygen hoses will accept a green cover, while acetylene hoses volition have a red comprehend. Never interchange these hoses as they are meant for different substances. If i of your hoses have broken, replace it—don't use record of any sort to attempt and patch the pigsty.^[8]

   • A hose with a natural condom liner is okay for acetylene service.

2. 2

   Do non use whatsoever oil or grease on the hoses. All the connections from the gas supplies to the torch are metallic-to-metallic, and they don't require lubricants or sealants. Similarly, don't use any pipe-plumbing fixtures tools to connect the hoses to the torch.^[9]

   • Don't force connections—if the threads don't run together hands past hand, either the threads are damaged or the parts aren't meant to get together.

3. 3

   Adhere the oxygen hose to the oxygen regulator and to the torch. The torch should accept identifying marks on the body or the handle showing where the hose should be connected. Near torches have 2 oxygen connections because ane is used for the cut jet and 1 is used for the preheat flames. If there isn't an adaptor on the torch that unites these two connections, you will need to apply 2 oxygen hoses, 2 regulators, and two oxygen tanks.^[10]

   • Most new oxy acetylene torches come with congenital in adapters, but double-check with the manufacturer's instructions to exist safe.

4. 4

   Connect the acetylene hose to the acetylene regulator and to the torch. Sometimes the torch doesn't specify which connexion is for the acetylene, though the oxygen will be conspicuously marked. Whichever connection is not for the oxygen is for the acetylene.^[11]

   • Double cheque your connections before moving on to make sure everything is hooked up to the correct identify.

5. five

   Tighten the hose connections with a wrench. Don't trust your hand strength to tighten these connections for you. Apply a non-adjustable wrench to securely fasten both the oxygen and acetylene hoses to the torch.^[12]

   • Having tight connections is extremely important because they volition proceed both the oxygen and acetylene from leaking.

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1. i

   Close both torch valves. For the oxygen, plough the force per unit area-adjusting screw on the regulator until the gauge reads about 25 psi. For the acetylene, plough the pressure-adjusting screw on the regulator until the estimate reads near 10 psi.^[13]

   • It is very important to test for leaks before starting your project. Leaks can cause harm to you or your surroundings and may pb to spontaneous combustion of the cylinders.

2. two

   Utilize a leak-test solution with a brush. Apply the solution to the cylinder valves, the cylinder and regulator connections, and all the hose connections. Y'all can either buy a solution from the shop for this specific purpose, or you lot can deliquesce Ivory soap in h2o to brand a thin paste for the same results.^[14]

   • Any work brush yous accept on hand will do; just make sure it hasn't been compromised by oil or gas.

3. three

   Check the leak-test solution for bubbles. Bubbles indicate that either oxygen or acetylene is coming through the connectors and the connexion needs to exist tightened or reattached completely. The bubbles won't be large, like in a pot of humid water; rather, they will be small and volition brand the surface of the testing solution look uneven.^[15]

   • Give the solution ane-2 minutes to sit down before checking for leaks.

4. 4

   Release all pressure from any system that has a leak. Reattach or retighten as needed, and use the leak-test solution a 2nd time to examination the torch for leaks again. After completing the testing, make sure to turn off both the oxygen and acetylene.^[16]

   • If after you've tested and refastened any leaking areas you are still seeing bubbles, that may point y'all take a leaky hose and need to become a new one before moving on with your project.

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1. i

   Turn the oxygen regulator pressure-adjusting screw. Slowly practise this until you reach the desired pressure. The pressure volition be indicated on the delivery-pressure level estimate. Then you lot volition close the torch oxygen valve. If y'all are using a cutting torch, open just the torch cut oxygen valve. If yous are using a cutting attachment, open up the oxygen valve on the torch handle and the cut oxygen valve on the attachment.^[17]

   • Don't set the force per unit area higher than what the equipment manufacturer recommends.

2. 2

   Adjust the acetylene adjuster spiral to the desired working pressure. Do not exceed 15 psi. Close the acetylene valve immediately after you obtain the right pressure level. You shouldn't open the valve more than 1 total turn.^[xviii]

   • If you lot open the valve too fast or also far, you lot may cause the canister to combust.

3. 3

   Exercise non release acetylene or other gasses near sources of ignition. Also, make certain y'all are working in a well-ventilated surface area. Information technology is advisable to proceed a fire extinguisher in your workspace in case there are any explosions or emergencies.^[19]

   • Heating, welding, and cutting crusade fume and fumes that are bad to breathe in and that tin can irritate the skin.

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1. i

   Cheque the manufacturer'due south instructions for the torch before beginning. Though nigh torches follow the same operating procedure, the manufacturer's instructions may have helpful tips or warnings that are specific to your torch. Read it thoroughly before following steps or tips from any other sources.^[20]

   • You tin can also search the manufacturer online to bank check out more than information regarding your tool. A lot of sites have community forums where people post tips and stories most their experiences that you can learn from.

2. two

   Open the torch acetylene valve one/2 turn and light the flame. Use a friction lighter rather than a match for this step. A friction lighter is also called a torch striker, and these can be plant at hardware stores. You lot will encounter a flame coming out of your torch. If for some reason there isn't a flame, turn off the acetylene valve and cheque your connections.

   • Remember to not have the oxygen gas flowing when yous go to low-cal the torch.^[21]

3. iii

   Reduce the acetylene flow by adjusting the torch acetylene valve. The flame should start to produce black fume effectually the edges. Once the blackness smoke appears, first to increase the acetylene flow support again just enough to go rid of the blackness fume. The flame should even so exist attached to the tip (it shouldn't appear as though it has "jumped abroad" from it).

   • The lighting procedure should result in a neutral flame, which is blue in color and which does not brand a hissing sound.^[22]

4. 4

   Stop working if the flame suddenly goes out. This is called "backfire" and tin happen information technology the torch comes into direct contact with the metallic. If this happens, go ahead and relight the torch over again right away. If backlash occurs repeatedly without contact with the work, it may exist due to incorrect operating pressures or a loose nozzle in the torch. In this instance, cheque the operating pressures and take a look at the torch to brand sure everything is connected properly.^[23]

   • If in doubt, turn off the gasses and check your machine over before proceeding.

5. 5

   Turn off the torch if there is flashback. Flashback is when there is a pronounced hissing or squealing dissonance. This means there is something wrong with the torch or with the gear up. After turning off the torch and investigating the cause, wait until the torch has cooled earlier attempting to light information technology once more.^[24]

   • If your torch keeps experiencing flashback, in that location may exist a damaged piece that needs to be returned or replaced.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Why is the head of an oxy acetylene torch fabricated of brass?

  

  Because it is a corrosion resistant metallic that will not create sparks when struck against other substances.

• Question

  Which tip should I utilize to estrus the metal upwardly?

  

  There is a tip called a rose bud that produces a big surface area to heat metals. A brazing tip can piece of work on smaller areas.

• Question

  How many gauges are needed on the acetylene bottle?

  

  Ii. A Cylinder Pressure Gauge and a Working Pressure level Guess. The CPG volition show about 200psi on a full acetylene bottle and subtract as it is used. The WPG indicates the gas pressure to the torch and is ready past the regulator.

• Question

  What size tip do I need for cutting thick metallic in half?

  

  Use a larger tip for cutting thick metallic.

• Question

  How exercise I stop black smoke from happening when I light an oxy acetylene torch?

  

  You tin can't, because it'due south a carbon gas. Do non try lighting with some oxy because that is an explosive mixture.

• Question

  Can I lay the gas tank downwards while it is being used?

  

  You could lay the oxygen bottle down, simply never lay the acetylene canteen down. The acetylene canteen contains acetone, which helps stabilize the acetylene. Laying the canteen down could pb to venting the acetone. A general rule of thumb is don't lay either bottle downwardly.

• Question

  How do I set up the regulator?

  

  The acetylene regulator should be between v-7 psi.

• Question

  What is the prophylactic device fitted to the regulator?

  

  It is a dorsum-flow preventer. It keeps the acetylene from mixing in the hoses and tanks with the oxygen and vice versa.

• Question

  Why do the torches keep going out?

  

  The work is dissipating rut faster than the torch is producing it. Turn up the torch or use a larger tip.

• Question

  Can you provide a listing of procedures for adjusting an oxyacetylene torch for brazing?

  

  Sarah Battilana

  Community Answer

  A unlike mechanism called "capillary activity" is used for brazing. To achieve uniform capillary activity, both parts must be evenly heated before adding rod. Preheating conducts rut through the articulation and brings both pieces to the right brazing temperature. The torch must be kept in motion to evenly distribute heat and should exist kept farther away than traditionally to keep sections from overheating.

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• Keep animals and children away from your work area when operating an oxy acetylene torch.

• If you take long hair, tie it back or tuck it into a bandanna or cap.

• Keep the torch tip clean.

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• Never utilize torches, regulators, or hoses in need of repair.

• Never attempt to repair hoses with tape of any sort.

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Article Summary Ten

To ready an oxy acetylene torch, start by cleaning whatever dust or dirt from the valve outlet. Next, adhere the pressure-reducing regulators that allow you lot to safely start and operate the torch. Y'all'll also demand to connect the gas supplies, similar the oxygen and the acetylene hoses, to the torch. In one case everything is assembled, examination the connections for leaks. If there aren't whatever leaks, so set the correct operating pressure. Finally, open the torch acetylene valve ½ turn and apply a friction lighter to light the flame. To learn how to get a neutral, blue flame, go along reading!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-an-Oxy-Acetylene-Torch

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