More oxyfuel questions

[DennisCA]

I did consider acetylene to be more risky because of those factors mentioned by Munkul. I also got the impression it's a lot easier for acetylene to start burning back in the hose and can self-combust due to acetylene degreadation, propane doesn't do that. I just get the impression it's easier to go wrong with it.

 

[backpurge]

I did consider acetylene to be more risky because of those factors mentioned by Munkul. I also got the impression it's a lot easier for acetylene to start burning back in the hose and can self-combust due to acetylene degreadation, propane doesn't do that. I just get the impression it's easier to go wrong with it.

All you can do is research the actual facts, they are all readily available from the BCGA, independant training companies etc and then make your own mind up. Whatever you feel safer with is the best choice for you. Any gas cylinder exploding whether it’s acetylene or compressed air has a blast radius of around 200 metres

 

[outofthefire]

Will propane work on an acetylene nozzle? Yes... it will produce a flame.

Will it work well? NO

Propane needs over twice as much oxygen in the pre-heat flame, you'll be there forever trying to get enough heat in the steel to be able to cut it!

"ignore what you've heard" is the most ridiculous answer sometimes

Oxy propane cuts perfectly well and heats and brazes the only thing you can't do is weld, I use oxy/acetylene welding torches with oxy/propane, cutting torches I use oxy/propane nozzles. And we'll have to agree to disagree about ignoring what you've "heard"

 

[Munkul]

Oxy propane cuts perfectly well and heats and brazes the only thing you can't do is weld, I use oxy/acetylene welding torches with oxy/propane, cutting torches I use oxy/propane nozzles. And we'll have to agree to disagree about ignoring what you've "heard"

So... just to be sure... you're using an ANM nozzle with propane, and able to cut well enough with it?

We tried it once... it was feeble And even using the proper PNM nozzles, you have to have the gas flows set right, or it takes forever to pre-heat. It's more finnicky IME than acetylene, which you can pretty much just light up and cut.

That's my experience, hence why I'm saying what I'm saying. By all means, if you've proved otherwise, that's fine...

 

[backpurge]

Even with the proper nozzles acetylene will cut faster than propane up to around 80/100mm then above that propane is generally quicker, if I was pre heating anything critical I would always use oxy/acetylene or preferably air/acetylene due to the hydrocarbons produced by propane