Oxy acetylene tip going red hot

[James1979]

Edit. It is, I don't know why I put the question mark! I use the damn things all day! The acetylene tips are one piece. The propane tips are as you show in your picture. It will have a number on it which is different to the acetylene equivalent. I cant remember the abbreviation, lots of wine

Is there anyone nearby who can give you a short how to? Its not good stuff to be winging it with.

 

[hypertherm69]

The par weld regulator completely confuses me. I have had it working fine but the other night it kept going hot.

 

[hypertherm69]

So acetylene and propane tips are different? That explains a lot thank god it didn’t go wrong

 

[James1979]

Yeah, if the reg is getting hot you have a problem. Sounds like the flame is tracking to me. Were there any noises? Either a whistle or like a machine gun? You really need a set of arrestors. They aren't much money

 

[Barking Mat]

Go buy some flame arrestors now...

 

[James1979]

Acetylene tip

 

[hypertherm69]

The two tips that came with it are the propane ones and the other one which I got from somewhere else is acetylene cause it’s one piece? For some reason I bought 1/8 piece which I will never use. I have flashback arrestors do I need the other thing? Cheers

 

[Barking Mat]

That looks correct.

Are you heating or cutting with that?

 

[brightspark]

i presume u have one way check valves on your torch . here there's other makes and prices this is just an example no way would I use gear without them https://www.amazon.com/Reverse-Valves-Oxygen-Acetylene-Cutting/dp/B0725LDTNZwith valves and arestors fitted and good quality hoses. oxy acet is as safe as any other gasses and pretty fool proof the only people that say its dangerous are those that have never had it . ive been using it over 45 years only ever had a few burn backs and one flashback the arrestor sorted that out and I just reset it

 

[James1979]

1/8" is huge However, yes thats an acetylene one on the right, the other two are propane. Good to see you have the flashbacks fitted. I've a feeling the fuel gas one may have saved your ass


As yours don't look resettable, it may be a good idea to replace the one that has gotten hot. They are just a bit of gauze inside which can fail if its put into service

 

[8ob]

Go buy some flame arrestors now...

Or some some long ratchet straps to keep the roof on for when it goes mammaries up.

Bob

 

[James1979]

i presume u have one way check valves on your torch

Doesnt look like it? I know they don't come as standard on those parweld torches, or at least the ones I've used didn't

That pdf Brad posted is well worth a read, to be honest. Anyone who can get you set up locally?

 

[hypertherm69]

Cutting only bought it cause I was bored over lockdown usually use plasma wish I hadn’t now already dropped the oxygen bottle and snapped one reg off lol. I now have a trolley which I made to hold them. I assume the check valves are built into the torch?

 

[mtt.tr]

I know my views on o/a being pretty dangerous are not popular but this thread is why i have the views i do.

Im more than happy using it but wont reccomend it to the unknowing.

 

[hypertherm69]

Once I have the correct tips and check valves it should be fine to use then? I assume the torch doesn’t care what gas is used?

 

[James1979]

Cutting only bought it cause I was bored over lockdown usually use plasma wish I hadn’t now already dropped the oxygen bottle and snapped one reg off lol. I now have a trolley which I made to hold them. I assume the check valves are built into the torch?

I was trying to find a picture but cant..... They are like a little one way valve which stops pre torch mixing (if that's how you phrase it) so your gases cant back track up the wrong hose and flash in the hose pre torch.

Some have a threaded connector and go on the torch before the hose, others have barbs and you just put them in before the torch with lemon clips

 

[mtt.tr]

Normally with flashback your hoses melt then you have a flamethrower.

 

[James1979]

Once I have the correct tips and check valves it should be fine to use then? I assume the torch doesn’t care what gas is used?

The torch won't but on the fuel gas side you need the correct reg, tips, check valves and flashbacks although I don't think the flashbacks care what gas it is? I've never used different ones for propane or Acetylene

 

[northwest]

I started using Oxy Acetylene when I was about ten (my father would have been jailed in today's culture) and one thing I do know about it, that gas has no mercy when it goes wrong. I would read the PDF Brad has linked to, then I would read it again.
I would suggest you make 100% sure your flash arrestors are working, then test them again. Personally I think you have had a very lucky escape, don't tempt fate.

 

[hypertherm69]

The flashbacks say acetylene on them so they should be fine I also bought what I thought was check valves but happened to be another set of arrestors