DennisCA
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- Finland
I've got loads of questions about this topic right now... 3rd topic in a few days... I'm like that, I get into something and I will be stuck thinking about it for possibly weeks, digging into all the info I can find. Especially if it means I have to part with money some time later.
So right now I have been looking at oxy-acetylene vs. oxy-propane and based on what I have read I am leaning towards propane. I am primarily interested in cutting stuff and brazing and heat treating parts. Gas welding would be nice just for fun and learning, but is it worth the extra costs and risks of acetylene nice?
I went into this with the assumption that propane gives a lot worse cut quality and is mainly used on junk yards but I've read many times now that this is not true from users of oxy-propane. I can't say I've seen any comparisons in photo or video though. Based on the info at hand I am leaning towards propane now. I already have a 10kg propane bottle so I will probably start off that way and then decide if I want to move to acetylene.
So right now I have been looking at oxy-acetylene vs. oxy-propane and based on what I have read I am leaning towards propane. I am primarily interested in cutting stuff and brazing and heat treating parts. Gas welding would be nice just for fun and learning, but is it worth the extra costs and risks of acetylene nice?
- Does acetylene make better or worse cuts than propane is really the most important question.
- Does propane require you to move slower when cutting?
- I read that oxy-acetylene cutting torches can flashback (pop) easier than propane when used in a tight corner
- I also read that oxy-acetylene flame has a higher tendency to "jump" from one part to another, so it's actually easier to cuts with oxy-propane where you want to remove something and leave one part untouched
- Are there any guidelines or estimates on oxygen consumption, like I can cut this many meters of this thick steel on a X-sized bottle?
- The americans have something they call T-rated hoses, that works with both propane and acytelene, I can't recall ever seeing something like that here but it would be real nice to have that. It would be much nicer if I could use use the same twin hose set if I end up geting both. I am interested in a pair of 5mm (3/16ths) hoses for most dexterity.
I went into this with the assumption that propane gives a lot worse cut quality and is mainly used on junk yards but I've read many times now that this is not true from users of oxy-propane. I can't say I've seen any comparisons in photo or video though. Based on the info at hand I am leaning towards propane now. I already have a 10kg propane bottle so I will probably start off that way and then decide if I want to move to acetylene.