And that is why Ken still has a good set of torches after thirty years. I
have given up at work trying to do this. Average life of a set of
regulators I would guess is around two years.
While I am wearing the "Grumpy Old Fart" hat. The hand valves should be
closed LIGHTLY. People tend to be ham fisted and then whine and complain
because their hand valves will not seal.
Randy

Ken Sterling (Ken Sterling) wrote in message
...
"R. Zimmerman" wrote in
news:3ZE7f.301843$1i.137829@pd7tw2no:

FYI The worst thing you can do with regulars is leave them set and
simply turn off the high pressure valve on the tank. When you turn on
the tank with the pressures already set the little regulator valve is
hammered closed with such force that it damages the seat.
Smith are good quality.
Randy

Randy, could you please expand on this statement with the correct procedure
to use. I never realized that about shutting down the tanks.

granpaw


I've had a set of Airco stuff to about 30 years... and never problems.
When finished welding....
1. Turn off both tank valves.
2. Open Acet torch valve.
3. Bleed off pressure.
4. Close Acet torch valve.
5. Back off Acet regulator handle until "free wheeling"
6. Open Oxy torch valve
7. Bleed off pressure.
8. Close Oxy torch valve.
9. Back off Oxy regulator handle until "free wheeling".
This takes pressure off everything and has been working
well for me for years.
HTH
Ken.