On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 17:17:48 -0800, Enoch Root
wrote:

Don Foreman wrote:
On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 03:33:22 -0800, Enoch Root
wrote:



But this brings up a another question. When I tried turning up the
oxygen to clean up the flame, it would extinguish the flame with a loud
pop. Why's that happening, and how can I avoid it? I'm fairly sure
that I'm not getting the hottest flame possible, more so after your
description.


That's too much oxy. The book you got with the outfit must
describe how to adjust a torch to get an oxidizing, neutral or
reducing flame. A neutral flame is when you turn up the oxy just to
the point where you have only two blue cones, a bright inner cone
from each orifice and the more purplish rest of the flame.

Well, I'll have to try it with a welding tip, then, because I'm either
getting a carbon buildup on the workpiece, and a big bright flame, or
(when I add more oxy) I get the blowout. :-/

Maybe the rosette is messed up internally...

It might just be dirty. If you didn't get a tip cleaner with the
kit, pick one up at a welding store. They're only a buck or two.

Check your oxy pressure and torch valve by turning on just oxy without
the torch lit, and see if adjusting the torch valve results in a
smooth variation of oxy flow -- you can feel the little breeze on
your cheek. If your pressure from the regulator is too high the flow
could be hard to adjust with the torch valve, and if there's something
loose in the torch valve it might not adjust smoothly.

I'm assuming that you've run the torch enough already so the oxy line
is purged of air. The fact that it pops suggests that it is, and
that the gas in the oxy bottle really is oxygen rather than argon or
MIG mix.

Check your book for recommended pressures. Oxy pressure for cutting
is considerably higher than that used with rosebuds and welding tips.
I'd guess at about 5 psi for both fuelgas and oxy, but check your
book. Oxy pressure for cutting would be more like 20 to 40 PSI --
which would certainly blow out a rosebud or welding tip with a rather
small opening of the torch's oxy valve.