Propane / Oxygen Set up

[Dunny]

Hi all,

Just bought this secondhand set up in the picture below.

I have never used one before so I was hoping the experts on here had some tips?

Firstly on safety, secondly on testing to make sure it works and thirdly on the different settings / torch set ups (there are a couple with it).

I understand I cant use propane for welding but I only want this for a bit of brazing, and heating the odd stubborn nut up.

Will this kit cut?

Thanks

D

 

[Kent]

looks old and that's an acetylene reg in the picture. Its a cutting torch but will need a propane cutting nozzle. I hope you didn't spend a lot as gas gear needs service or replacement periodically
Propane cuts real nice as the fuel gas anything not over thick I like it.

For safe and effective working its far better to spend on new propane don't need no clock btw just a turn regulator with the pressure markings they are not over dear. Flashback is rarer but still new flashbacks on both oxy and propane is a good plan

 

[Jim Davey]

You need to change the red pipe to orange (different hose construction for propane, it attacks acetylene hoses)
The reg is the wrong service too. And you really should ditch the flashback arrest or if it's been used for a different fuel gas to the one you're proposing to use.
Bit of a downer I know but it's illegal to use the wrong fuel gases in equipment and you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if there was a problem. (That assuming you survived to face the music)

 

[Dunny]

Presumably I could just use acetylene since this is what its designed for?

I don't know whether this has been used with propane or not it was my assumption it would have been.

D

 

[Jim Davey]

You can't put propane through that kit. It shouldn't have been as it's an oxy/acetylene kit.
Get a bottle of acetylene and you can get started, but you should get the kit inspected for safety before you attempt to use it.

 

[Dunny]

You can't put propane through that kit. It shouldn't have been as it's an oxy/acetylene kit.
Get a bottle of acetylene and you can get started, but you should get the kit inspected for safety before you attempt to use it.

Thanks Jim. The oxygen bottle is empty so I will need to get that filled and get an acetylene bottle too. Where would I go to get the kit inspected - a gas fitter?

D

 

[Jim Davey]

Nope, they don't have the necessary qualification. I'm a qualified hand gas equipment inspector but I'd make enquiries at your local BOC centre, they usually have someone at the counter who is qualified.

Regs and flash back arresters are date stamped and should be discarded after 5 years.

Torches can last indefinitely but can fail for a multitude of reasons.

Hoses sould be of suitable service type and have markings showing the standard they conform to. The non return valved in the hose ends should be tested for reverse flow and the hoses themselves must be in good condition without excessive perishing, burns or dodgy repairs. The crimps must be tamperproof too ie. Ferrules, banjo clips or o-clips.

If your regs/FBAs are older than 5 years, and there are soot deposits in the joint between the shank and the cutting attachment (there usually is as people don't bother with purging or setting pressures correctly and they get backfires) then that's a fail too. The only part of the kit that may be ok is the hoses. Chances are it's up for sale because it's too old to use in someone's place of work and it's got sold on. Not a nice thing to do, especially to sell it to somone with little or no experience of using gas kit, not safe at all.

You should definitely get some training on safe start up and shut down procedure, and learn the correct pressure ratings for various nozzles. Gas is inherently dangerous but used correctly is very safe as long as the kit is maintained and the operator knows the dangers.

 

[Jim Davey]

Give me a call on Monday if you want to discuss your gas kit or have any questions, I'm happy to help.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Undo the large nut at the nozzle (it's all black and sooty) and remove the nozzle itself. If it's in two parts it is for propane, if it's one solid piece it's for acetylene. Or take a photo showing the tip of it, but I can't identify it from that picture.

That kit will cut and will also work for heating parts, but for brazing you ought to have the nozzles - the same ones as you use for welding. You have a torch there with a cutting attachment, often found in kits. They are easier to swap onto from welding than a dedicated cutting torch which requires the pipes to be removed.


Before doing anything you MUST have a good read of all the safety information you can find. It may be long and tedious, but oxy fuel gas combinations are lethal if something goes wrong, even I think about what I do (coming from somebody who happily welds and uses 240v tools outside in the rain with sockets, plugs etc sat in puddles that ought to tell you something).

There are a lot of do's and don't's, even simple things you may never think of - such as never oiling threads or using PTFE tape to seal.
If in doubt, ask. Better to risk being thought a fool than prove it by leaving a crater in Lancashire.
That's a good offer from Jim Davey there.

 

[Dunny]

Thanks chaps.

If I post some better photos will that help (i.e. help you help me :-))

D

 

[Bill Edwards]

If you can show the nozzle tip in detail we should be able to identify which fuel gas it's for.
It doesn't guarantee that it has been used for that of course, it would simply give an indication.
The regulators will be marked with a date, you should be able to read that easily. They are supposed to be replaced after 5 years as said by Jim, whether that's essential or not isn't universally agreed, I suggest not starting that debate.

 

[Dunny]

See below:-

And a second one:-

Regulators:-

 

[backpurge]

The oxygen reg definitely wants binning as it's obviously over 5 years old

 

[Kent]

Did you pay for an oxy bottle? Thing is generally they are not the property of the seller but the gas supplier and when you take it for a fill without an account they won't and just take it back. It's like renting a car then selling it to someone
Sorry I missed the obvious on the hose colour looks like you have been sold a bit of a pup here

 

[Dunny]

Did you pay for an oxy bottle? Thing is generally they are not the property of the seller but the gas supplier and when you take it for a fill without an account they won't and just take it back. It's like renting a car then selling it to someone
Sorry I missed the obvious on the hose colour looks like you have been sold a bit of a pup here

Hi Kent, there is an oxy bottle with it. Didnt understand your comment on the hose colour?

D

 

[Kent]

I missed it was red not orange in my first post Jim picked it up anyhow.
The bottle is in general not yours it belongs to the gas company you need to rent one and the gas company will want your details

 

[Dunny]

I missed it was red not orange in my first post Jim picked it up anyhow.
The bottle is in general not yours it belongs to the gas company you need to rent one and the gas company will want your details

Thanks Kent.

I paid 50 quid.....have I been ripped off?

 

[brightspark]

who does the bottle belong to. what gas supplier

 

[Dunny]

who does the bottle belong to. what gas supplier

Dunno.....will check tomorrow.

Maybe be BOC as the regulator was BOC.

D

 

[Welderpaul]

I paid 50 quid.....have I been ripped off?

Yeah.

The bottle will very likely be on hire.It's a 'newer' type bottle as it has a white band on the neck
The torch has (to my knowledge) been superseded by at least three further versions of BOC torch. Might be ok.
The Acetylene reg type isn't made any more, i'd say older than 5 years.
The oxy reg is older than time. The BOC logo has changed twice since that one.
The hoses might be ok, but i guess not if the same age as everything else
Flashbacks - unknown history, need changing.

In business, you'd be hung out to dry if you used any of that. In a private setting, yeah, it will probably all work. All goes bang in a big way though if something goes wrong. Your call, but i'd bin the lot personally.