Please can you identify this item (pics)

[mart]

Can anyone identify this item please? I think it is some sort of cutting attachment. The words Bernz O matic Medina N.Y 14103 is written on the handle. It refers to propane valves & oxygen valves on the instructions on the handle.

 

[Cal]

It's an oxy-propane brazing torch

Bernzomatic is a trade name, Medina is in New York and the NY14103 is the US postcode thingy.

 

[bonepyro]

wot Cal said,

Oxy-propane kit. They are (used) to be sold in Halfords, it uses the disposable type bottles, I have one myself, although rarely used.

Andy

 

[rtbcomp]

A firm called Middleton Mail Order used to sell them, back in the stoneage!

 

[English Steve]

As above. I believe B&Q sell them (or used to), and Screwfix also have some Benzomatic stuff. They are used on little disposable bottles like the oxy/mapp kits you can buy.

Edit: Crikey, everyones quick today!

 

[mart]

As always-thank you for the information. Is it limited to just brazing with these disposable bottles or would it be capable of “cutting” also?

 

[wyn]

Got one as well.

The oxy runs out after about 2 minutes use.

 

[bonepyro]

According to the instructions it can be used for cutting, you just wind open the oxygen regulator once you have the work heated up.
Never tried this, and would not vouch for how long your disposable bottle would last, (I suspect about thirty seconds!)

 

[Cal]

The reason I knew was I used one to do some brazing years ago.

You could do some light welding with them, so as far as cutting goes you could probably get through thin sheet.

 

[shenion]

I have one also. It is Oxy/MAPP gas torch.

The oxy runs out after about 3-5 minutes; a whole whopping 1.1cf of O2.

I have had it for probably 20 years. Was all I had until getting a real welder a few years ago.

You can barely weld with it. It is good for brazing though. It can not do cutting.

 

[fingers99]

Yep. Was my first gas kit, way back when. I think Halfords still do the bottles. Fine for brazing with propane or MAPP.

I think a couple of months later I went for a "proper" torch and a bigger Oxy bottle and reg before finally getting an acetylene bottle. With a good torch, MAPP and a big Oxy it welded fairly well.

 

[shenion]

Actually it was my second one. The first was basically the same but used solid oxygen. That one was near useless

 

[mart]

Can you still buy the disposable oxy bottles?

 

[shenion]

Some hardware stores here still have the oxygen bottles. I have seen them at home improvement stores.

 

[mart]

Sorry-i should have said in the UK

 

[shenion]

Sorry-i should have said in the UK

My point is that the canisters are still made and sold.

Now, i have not seen the solid O2 in years.

 

[MrFluffy]

From a post on another forum
" Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Bernzomatic Welding Kit/Oxygen
cylinder. Unfortunately, due to changing European Legislation (TPED),
our disposable Oxygen cylinders no longer comply and therefore it is not
possible for us to import them into the UK."

I think you can change the regs to use a alternative brand of cylinders though...

 

[mart]

Assuming that the oxigen bottles are still available, are these devices SAFE to use. The reason i ask is that a welding supplier in Sheffield advised that an item like this (using oxy) is NOT safe to use without flashback arresters and could explode.

Where do i stand with this. Safety first.

 

[Cal]

Mart

I think you will struggle to find the cylinders. The one that I used years ago came from a farm tools place. They don't sell em anymore.

Are they safe. I would say so.


Cal

 

[MrFluffy]

As the majority of small portapack sets that are sold new dont have flashback arrestors on the lines, then you are just as safe as them. I bought one that took boc's smallest size bottles but no arrestors, so its not just diy stuff from halfords we're talking here.
As if to if I want to use a portapak with no flashback arrestors, umm not very much , for the price of a pair of flashback arrestors Id rather not destroy my workshop when something goes wrong.

Flashback arrestors only come into play when something has gone quite wrong, normally a oxy/acetylene setup will never need them. However imagine severing your lines accidentally when something falls on it, and igniting the leak. As you hear the flame travel down the line, thats your cue to run if you don't have any.
I would have thought its more important to have them on the fuel cylinder (the acetylene/mapp gas or whatever) as while oxygen will make a fuel fire burn very very hot, with the complete absence of fuel, there will be no fire.