Bruce L. Bergman wrote:
On Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:43:32 -0800, Enoch Root
wrote:

40cf c2h2 tank 200psi (missing knob, I used a wrench to test)

That is more commonly referred to as a "B" size Acetylene tank. And
they don't come with a knob, you use a little dogbone wrench to open
them. Put a piece of small chain in the other hole and loop it around
the regulator to keep the wrench from wandering away.

Heh. Now I can say I know more about something than the guy I bought it
from.

Make sure there are flashback arrestors on the hoses at the torch
handle.

Check. At least, according to the manual, they are internal to the
torch handle.

I used the rosette to test... I couldn't get the flames described in the
manual with that and don't know if I'm getting a good flame, but it was
way too bright to look at without protection anyway, and you can't see
colors through that glass!

I'd try again with a welding tip, but I'm reluctant to litter my place
with more soot.


Use a welding tip for testing - you really shouldn't be using a
Rosebud tip with a single B cylinder, and you have to be careful to
check the gas consumption charts with the larger sizes of welding
tips, too. You can only draw off 1/7 of the Acetylene in the tank per
hour (about 5 CFH on a B) or you start sucking the Acetone inside the
cylinder out with the gas and burning it, which does wacky sooty nasty
green-colored things to the flame.

I think I may have experienced that. The flame was not following my
expectations, and when I had it on high for awhile I got a buildup of
carbon crud on the exit holes of the rosette that fell off and tried to
burn things. Luckily by then I'd moved the equipment to concrete pad
outside.

For running big torch tips you need big acetylene bottles, and/or a
manifold system to share the load between multiple bottles.

And you do NOT want that Acetone level to run low inside the
cylinder, or the pressure past the regulator to EVER go above 15 PSI.
Google "Acetylene Deflagration" and learn. (It just decides to go
BOOM!!! and levels the garage - this is not good...)

Jeez. I think I've not been cautious enough. Thanks.

And running Acetylene through copper tubing or high-copper alloys of
bronze or aluminum bronze can form acetylide oxides that are explosive
and unstable - not good. The bronze alloy they use for the regulators
tips and fittings is deliberately chosen. Same thing for any oil or
grease in the Oxygen system.

The regulator lines have some kind of sintered metal wall inside, and
the handle and tips are just of brass (except the top of the tip, which
appears to be copper)... maybe ok?

The thing is, I was so eager to get this I didn't quibble about the
price, and the guy's real straight, clarified the price of each item for
me, and it felt good. He said the tanks are $100 each and you get them
replaced when they're filled, or charged that if you don't already have
them, so I got that welding kit minus the tanks for $100...

If you're going to do real work, you'll want to get a second set of
Acetylene and Oxygen cylinders anyway - per Murphy's Law, at least one
of them will run out 5 minutes after the local welding supply has
closed for the weekend.

With all the testing and inefficient heating I've done that's advice I
should heed, or I'll be idle soon.

er
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