I recently up-sized my acetylene cylinder from a 40cf (B) to a 60cf
(wq)tank.
When I tried to attach the spud end of the regulator to the new
cylinder, the regulator gauge hits the rim of the cylinder so i
couldn't tighten the regulator spud nut. I stopped by the hardware
store (the welding store was closed by now) and (of course) they didn't
have any regulator parts. But they did have brass fittings. I removed
the spud from the regulator and replaced it with a 1.5" double ended
brass fitting, then a brass coupler, then the original spud (to
lengthen the spud). I used teflon tape on all the fittings. It works
fine with no leaks. The regulator is brass so i figured brass fittings
are adequate.(i know copper is not)
Does anyone have any thoughts or safety concerns with this set up?

thanks,
walt

On Fri, 06 May 2005 14:50:21 -0700, wallster wrote:

I recently up-sized my acetylene cylinder from a 40cf (B) to a 60cf
(wq)tank.
When I tried to attach the spud end of the regulator to the new
cylinder, the regulator gauge hits the rim of the cylinder so i
couldn't tighten the regulator spud nut. I stopped by the hardware
store (the welding store was closed by now) and (of course) they didn't
have any regulator parts. But they did have brass fittings. I removed
the spud from the regulator and replaced it with a 1.5" double ended
brass fitting, then a brass coupler, then the original spud (to
lengthen the spud). I used teflon tape on all the fittings. It works
fine with no leaks. The regulator is brass so i figured brass fittings
are adequate.(i know copper is not)
Does anyone have any thoughts or safety concerns with this set up?

thanks,
walt

I would buy the correct nipple for the regulator ASAP. My friend cobbled
something like this up for a Nitrogen tank and regulator once, it
exploded when he opened the valve. The surgeons stitched his hand back
together, but he will never have full use of it. I know that Acetylene
pressure is less than 300PSI compared to the Nitrogen at 2500PSI or
higher, but pressurized gas is not something to mess with.

--
Ron DeBlock N2JSO
If God had meant for Man to see the sunrise, He would have scheduled it later in the day.
20 years on Usenet!

thanks Ron, good advice. I guess if i have to ask, i already know the
answer. I'll get a the longer spud.
Acetylene released at 300psi could be catastrophic.

walt

On 6 May 2005 14:50:21 -0700, "wallster"
wrote:

I recently up-sized my acetylene cylinder from a 40cf (B) to a 60cf
(wq)tank.
When I tried to attach the spud end of the regulator to the new
cylinder, the regulator gauge hits the rim of the cylinder so i
couldn't tighten the regulator spud nut. I stopped by the hardware
store (the welding store was closed by now) and (of course) they didn't
have any regulator parts. But they did have brass fittings. I removed
the spud from the regulator and replaced it with a 1.5" double ended
brass fitting, then a brass coupler, then the original spud (to
lengthen the spud). I used teflon tape on all the fittings. It works
fine with no leaks. The regulator is brass so i figured brass fittings
are adequate.(i know copper is not)
Does anyone have any thoughts or safety concerns with this set up?

thanks,
walt

BOC (British Oxygen) specify that joints or fittings in contact
with acetylene must not be of copper or any alloy containing more than
70% copper.

Jim

that's odd. Victor lists their regulator as "All brass acetylene regulator
(CGA200)" and brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. The fittings I used were
brass, same as the regulator. What material do they recommend as acceptable?

walt


BOC (British Oxygen) specify that joints or fittings in contact
with acetylene must not be of copper or any alloy containing more than
70% copper.

Jim

"wallster" wrote in message
...
that's odd. Victor lists their regulator as "All brass acetylene regulator
(CGA200)" and brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. The fittings I used were
brass, same as the regulator. What material do they recommend as
acceptable?

I can't say with unequivocal certainty, but most heavily machined fittings
are free-machining yellow brass, 37% Zn, 3% Pb, ~59% Cu, which would fit
with the requirement below.

BOC (British Oxygen) specify that joints or fittings in contact
with acetylene must not be of copper or any alloy containing more than
70% copper.

Tim

--
"California is the breakfast state: fruits, nuts and flakes."
Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms

On Sat, 7 May 2005 08:17:41 -0400, "wallster"
wrote:

that's odd. Victor lists their regulator as "All brass acetylene regulator
(CGA200)" and brass is 70% copper and 30% zinc. The fittings I used were
brass, same as the regulator. What material do they recommend as acceptable?

walt


BOC (British Oxygen) specify that joints or fittings in contact
with acetylene must not be of copper or any alloy containing more than
70% copper.

Jim




Verbatim quote with no further info. However "brass" is a
pretty elastic term.

From "Casting Brass" CW Ammen :-

Yellow Brasses 63 to 72% Cu
Red brasses 83 to 85% Cu
Aluminium bronze 81 to 89% Cu

Unspecified brass is probably OK - but are you feeling lucky?

Jim

"Unspecified brass is probably OK - but are you feeling lucky?


Jim"

Not really, that's why i bought a longer spud. The new spud appears to
be brass as well, I just thought it odd that copper can make acetylene
volatile yet brass is (approx) 70% copper. I dont doubt your statement
and I realize "brass" is a bit generic, but it still seems odd.
The biggest difference between my "cobbled" extension and the correct
regulator spud is the wall thickness (and the fact that it's one piece
and not three peices). I realize the cylinder pressure is about 300psi
but I will sleep better knowing that the proper application has been
applied.
Thanks for the insight Jim.
walt

wallster wrote:
"Unspecified brass is probably OK - but are you feeling lucky?


Jim"

Not really, that's why i bought a longer spud. The new spud appears to
be brass as well, I just thought it odd that copper can make acetylene
volatile yet brass is (approx) 70% copper. I dont doubt your statement
and I realize "brass" is a bit generic, but it still seems odd.
The biggest difference between my "cobbled" extension and the correct
regulator spud is the wall thickness (and the fact that it's one piece
and not three peices). I realize the cylinder pressure is about 300psi
but I will sleep better knowing that the proper application has been
applied.
Thanks for the insight Jim.
walt

FYI.
http://www.msha.gov/Accident_Prevent...etylenegas.htm

"
a.. Acetylene forms explosive compounds with copper, brass, copper salts,
mercury/mercury salts, silver/silver salts and nitric acid. Under no
circumstances should acetylene gas come in contact with unalloyed copper,
except in a torch. Any contact of acetylene with high-alloyed copper piping
will generate copper acetylide, which is very reactive and may result in a
violent explosion. Also, an explosion hazard will result if the gas comes
into contact with silver bearing materials such as those used in
silver-brazed pipeline joints. "



Ken.

hey Ron, picked up the new longer spud from the welding supply store.
$3.90... now i dont have to be concerned.
thanks again.

walt

That's good! We don't want to hear about you on the news (unless it's
something good, of course!)

--
Ron DeBlock N2JSO
If God had meant for Man to see the sunrise,
He would have scheduled it later in the day.
20 years on Usenet!