I'll just tag along with you, if that's cool. Yep, that made me laugh out loud.... The dogs are looking at me like I'm crazy, oh yeah, that's right. Nevermind
I bought a kit before knowing too much about Oxy LPG, I couldn't pass up the offer. I then found videos including yours, and so glad I made the purchase. Thanks for the video and tips.
See how your cutting tip and cutting head are all black? That's because they are being overheated by not running the preheat flame hot enough. That soft preheat flame is right for acetylene, but for propane you need to increase the fuel and oxygen until it whistles/screeches. This not only makes it preheat much faster, but it pushes the preheat flame away from the tip so the tip runs cooler. I have many hours on my propane tips and the plain copper ones are just a bit discolored near the tips, while the brass torch head is still bright and shiny.
i was juts gonna say i think this guy does not know what he was doing by the looks of that orange quiet preheating flame and the lousy cut jobs ,and that bolt was way over heated because it took so long to heat up,he def had his psi and volume to low
Thanks for the info. Its nice when someone offers informed opinions the way you did it instead of accompanying it with a "you dont know what youre doing!" or "this guy is an idiot". Ppl get more out of it your way. Besides that, the video was only about how to set one up so yoyr comment saved a bunch of us from needing to look up how to adjust a propane flame instead of acetylene. So thanks again. Im guessing the black on the tip you mentioned was a sign not all fuel was burned in the combustion process therefore wasting it and needing to heat longer to reach cut temperature which allows the heat to spread out too far and therefore makes terrible cuts. Ive done this with acetylene too. Sometimes u want to cut one piece like a nut off a bolt or a bearing race out of a hub amd heating too long also heats the part you DONT want to cut. So heating asap can be very important. Btw...I followed what you said and within a few minutes i was cutting away. 👍
@@garpikemike1 Thank you for your comments! The cause of copper tips turning black is overheating. When copper gets hot enough, it oxidizes, and copper oxide is black. The cause of tip overheating is insufficient has flow. This allows the flame to actually start burning right at the tip rather than a tiny distance away. That causes much more heat to be conducted from the flame to the copper tip.
Could anyone please clarify then 'what' the recommended propane to oxygen pressures to make this 'perfect' for a temp that works better to not produce the tip oxidation?
I have been using propane since back in the 70's. I have two acetylene bottles too but I use propane for myself around the farm. Much cheaper. I bought my first oxygen bottle back in 73 for $83 full. I have never paid rent on my bottles. Mine are 256 cubic feet. The only thing you "have" to change is the cutting tip. The two piece propane tip is also much easier to clean since it comes apart. I have used the type R hoses for years and years with no problem. But they are a better quality hose than what you buy today. I have Victor, Harris, a Smith, a Uniweld, and a Purox track torch. I like the Harris best of all feels better in my hand because of the bigger round body and they are a much better buy compared to the Victor name. Victor is good too but much overpriced. I have one Harris that has the pilot light feature which is real handy sometimes but you have to be out of the wind. The Uniweld is a little bitty thing. The Smiths are beauties being made of stainless steel and are very good but the tips are harder to find and more expensive.
The plasma cutter is great too but once you get to thicker steel I love my oxy / propane kit. Does not mind cutting through rust. Beautiful quality cuts. Cheap.
Very good video. I haven't tried that idea but I will now. As a side note, you keep a nice, clean shop. It is a pleasure to watch a video made in a clean environment; Shows pride in your work!
If you buy your cutting torch at Harbor Freight, be aware that your acetylene regulator will not fit on a propane cylinder. You'll have to get a different regulator that has hose barbs.
You know I watched this a few days ago and have been thinking about it since and concluded that I’d like to say thank you.the place where I get my propane filled gives you your fifth tank free when you get them filled they give you card to punch so this will work out great.torch year around,heat in the winter.I’m not gonna get rich but every little bit helps now days.thanks
This video answered a question I had about LP regulators. I bought a Victor Propane regulator with a CGA 510LP connector and I wasn't sure if it work with the OPD valves on the propane tanks. The regulator will arrive tomorrow, hopefully it will screw into my propane tank. Thanks for the video.
I have my channel on RU-vid and use a plasma cutter. Recently I been looking into an oxy cutting setup. This is something I can try as buying the tanks are expensive and I already use propane. Thanks for the great video.
I've always wanted an oxy/acety set up but never fully needed one. I did take a art class on how to use and enjoyed it. The cost of getting a set is a bit prohibitive. Plus, my shop/garage is attached to my house with my bedroom right about it which mades me nervous. I would feel somewhat safer with a propane set up though.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe you can use the same gage for acetylene as propane. They do have the same thread but propane is petroleum based and will ruin your acetylene regulator diaphragm and you also need to run a grade T hose.
My pops was a welder/mechanic and I was just going through some of his stuff I inherited a few years back and noticed that this bernzomatic torch was labeled oxygen and.. PROPANE? I thought I guess if you add oxygen to any gas it’s gonna make it hotter right? So I had to look it up. Very cool thanks I remember his torch cart in the garage and just assumed it was always acetylene.
Such a great video, so glad you don't have all them cutscenes and bulshit like every other person does with their wannabe commercial-grade crap videos. I do however wish you would have explained how to properly set your Regulators, that would really help newbies
Hey, that's good info. I'm right there with my setup. I mig everything. The torch is such a powerful tool for cutting metal and it saves so much time. This allows for projects to get done right and in time and to do this without spending 600yrs grinding shit. The biggest plus is accessibility without the draconian account requirements requiring 9000 dollars per fill up and remember acetylene is special, so don't lay it down because the honey-comb structure inside of the tank must stay upright or the acetylene will lift and separate, and you will die. This all happens before your wallet gets baptized to serve the penalty fees imposed by the unhooded corporate unwelder gods. Seriously though thats straight common cents in a land thats a bit challenging to say the least. I'm filling up tomorrow and getting correct tips which I didn't know until seeing your helpful post, thanks I appreciate it.
if you use the propane in cold weather it may not vaporize fast enough i normally use a #2 tip for general cutting a #4 for heavy cuts and a #8 for heavy scrapping but we use liquid oxygen and big tanks. never use propane tips with acetylene, it will burn them, up
Propane tip has more preheat holes,two piece tip is easier to clean. Supposed to use 'T' grade hose. They say propane will ruin regular 'r' grade hose.
I was advised never to use acetylene regulators on propane. Just because it fits doesn’t mean it should be used. For the cost I’d rather use the right tools for the job. Otherwise great video, thanks.
I liked what you did, but I am still trying to find some document about the main difference about propane and acetylene buring and why the tip is different in design. I know that propane eats like 3-4 times oxygen more than the acetylene to burn. Thats really intereting A question: I didn't see a flashback arrestors in your setup, is it intended for some reason, or just decreasing the setup cost?
he has flashback arrestors installed at the regulator ends of his hoses. propane tips are different because they are cheaper and easier to make than solid copper acetylene tips, acetylene tips have to be made with individually drilled passages that maintain even fuel pressure so the acetylene does not spontaneously explode inside the tip. propane cutting uses more oxygen because the preheat flame is not as hot as acetylene so the cutting rate is slower and more oxygen is needed to maintain the cut.
How do you lose control of your flame? Never had that happen. I have always used oxy acetylene. If I run out of acetylene I will do your setup. Can I use a standard acetylene regulator for propane tank?
Hello. I sometimes use this to cut 1/2” steel cable. I work with Neanderthals and they are not very good at explaining things. Please correct me if I’m wrong. 1 open both tanks oxygen/propane 2 and this is where it complicates for me. Open just the propane or both? Once it’s on. Do I regulate the oxygen to where the flame turns blue? And when do I squeeze the handle? Your help is greatly appreciated.
See LP cutting torch procedure videos for details and anytime in doubt follow official instructions from any of the welding torch manufacturers. Smith make great torches (I collect and overhaul my own of many makes) so here's their video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-f2amO0T3vkQ.html
I'm currently switching from acetylene to propane. Got the correct tip, but just noticed my acetylene has female threads and my propane has the same threads.
@@RPMechanics I searched around and see there are CGA300 and CGA510 stems/nuts. I need a CGA510 stem/nut. I was able to unscrew my CGA300 stem (the stems may be the same, threads different for sure). Going to welding shop tomorrow to see if they have the other one in stock for sale. Also if they have a 5 lb propane tank available, as the 20 lb is BIG and for something I use about 3X a year smaller would be better.
I bought the Harbor Freight cutting torch kit that has Victor type regulators. I tried to convert to propane but the regulator does NOT match up to the standard propane cylinder. I paid $24 for an adapter from Uniweld but it doesn't fit.
+FISHBREATHH I bought the 80 cubic foot oxygen bottle outright and it cost around $25 for a refill and I avoid the rent fee. A little bit of up front cost, but after that it's not too bad. Thanks.
FISHBREATHH check out other u tube videos .guys using nebulizer attached to old oxegen tank..one i saw were for those small map gas ox ser up worked but comment said no becuse it waa a 100% oxegen set up versus 65..70,%..but seemed ok visually..so might be worth it
Very interesting video,,,but my question is i bought oxygen and acetylene gas with the same torch like you, but when i light it there is huge amount of black smock and pop sound. There is no leakage. What is the problem??? What is the proportion of oxygen to acetylene?
if you dont back your regulator pressures off before you turn the main gas on your going to blow the diaphrams in your regulators.. when your done using the torch, shut the main valves off, then back out your pressure adjusters on your regulators, then bleed the hoses..
I think it would be fine, with a small tip. Not sure why he says you cannot weld with it. It doesn't get as hot, so perhaps that makes it hard for steel. For real small stuff you might also consider an HHO torch that uses electrolysis to separate water and then you reburn it. It burns very hot so be careful until you get used to it.
What size is your oxygen tank? And do you need flash backs connected with this setup and lastly can I use the same hoses that I have for acetylene, I have an oxy acetylene setup I have never used but want to go with the propane setup? Mostly want a setup for heating to bend steel but I have wondered if this set up could be used to braze? Any advice appreciated.
oxy tank is a 60 I think. It can braze. My gauge set has f/b arresters but would work without b/c they are a safety feature. Better to have them. Same hoses and gauges.
Your tip,is it bigger or smaller than normal?I have a set but I’ve been off my feet a while so I don’t actually know which I have but what I do know is that I spend a lot of money filling these tanks.I have the same size now that you’re showing and am going to give it a go but please respond to tip question and thanks for the video
Hi great Vidio, can I just mention that your using the incorrect fitting on the LPG bottle. You shouldn't use the POL fitting into the QCC. You either should change the bottle valve to POL or use the QCC fitting to the regulator.
in my area nobody will fill a small lpg tank (anything under 25gal/100lb) if it has a pol valve. i was told by my local propane supplier (cenex) that modern opd/qcc valves are designed to work with both pol and qcc connectors and that it is perfectly legal and proper to do so.
@@marzsit9833 yes they will work but in some country's it's not good practice as the POL filling into the QCC can inadvertently adjust the release valve on the inside of the QCC, making it leak. If the POL fitting has the bullnose o ring, it's more likely to happen.
ALWAYS cut the oxygen off first. When metals rust they are reacting with oxygen. When the oxygen concentration is high enough they burn, thats what oxygen cutting is all about. If you have a hot torch tip and you shut off the fuel first, there is not much stopping the torch from becoming the fuel. Also, an oxygen rich flame burns faster. When you shut off fuel first, the mixture becomes lean and the faster flame travels upstream, back into the torch and you get a small explosion which leaves soot and blockage in the torch tip.
3-5 on the LP and 5-10 on the Oxygen. Your Oxygen pressure is going to depend on what you're doing with it but in most cases you shouldn't need more than 10PSI. You also never want to ever exceed 10PSI on LP and it should be treated just like Acetylene.
So all I need is a new cutting tip? How about the welding tips? Will they work on propane? You just screw your acetylene regulator right into the propane tank? Have an oxy acetylene setup now. Acetylene is getting expensive. This seems to work just as well.
You can save your expensive acetylene for gas welding and cut with LP. I use both as to many others. You can braze with propane and brazing is quite useful. It's highly shock resistant and in multipart work like "steel rule dies" (for cutting materials in a press) you can remove brazing easily with your torch to replace individual parts. Brazing is visually attractive too hence it's popularity in artwork, but I'm no artist.
Your acetylene regulator will fit a BBQ jug if the regulator is a CGA-510. HOWEVER do not exceed the range of your OUTPUT guage because LP head pressure is greater than acetylene. All the US made regulators (and I will not use anything else,, I scrap ChiCom junk when it turns up in my auction buys) are LP compatible which is a matter of the seals and diaphragm materials. You can email your makers tech support if in doubt. Victor, Smith, Harris etc are compatible. All the really big cutting torches are LP, not acetylene because LP allows high withdrawal rates. It's good stuff. Learn your CGA fittings. It will serve you well. Visit weldingweb and the Miller forums for much more info.
Hi Robert. I use a special LPG torch to hard bronze braze light stuff, and it works well. No goggles required as it just has the LPG flame. I have looked at LPG/oxy as an alternative as it's now possible to get oxy cylinders in Australia without having to pay the $200 yearly rental killer cost. The only aspect was how hard it would be to see the job with goggles. Interesting. Cheers Rob
+xynudu Adding oxygen brightens it quite a bit. I heat and bend steel with it a lot without dark lenses but staring at the flame any amount of time would cause me to see spots.
Anyone have experience with brazing small refrigeration copper tubing with this kind of setup? Acetylene/oxygen works great because you can put the heat exactly where it needs to be and get out of there before the heat spreads. I was told the new style mapp wannabe torches where enough to do this kind of work. It’s not. Propane is just so damn convenient but I’m worried the size of the flame would be a problem in tight spaces like a refrigerator. I mean with a brazing tip of course.
Can you please help me I'm in Alaska trying to set up my propane cutting torch, I did bought a propane tip and set up everything, went to light it after lighting propane I applied oxygen and it goes out, what is wrong?
From Rexarc.com: Firstly: Propane gas cannot be used for gas welding. When acetylene burns in oxygen, it creates a reducing zone that cleans the steel surface. Propane does not have a reducing zone like acetylene and hence cannot be used for welding.
""NO"" you must use Grade T hose. I got mine here. www.ebay.com/itm/Excess-Stock-20-x-1-4-Twin-Torch-Hose-Oxygen-Propane-Grade-T-Made-in-USA/263405355809?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
That was awesome. If you were starting out, would you buy a used torch setup or bite the bullet and buy new? And if new, do you have a recommendation for a vendor and brand/model?
+Rick Rose If I found a deal on a quality used set I would go for it, but I bought this set new. It's a medium priced set I got from Lowes made by Harris. Probably had it close to 8 years now with no complaints. Thanks.
Buy a new one. They're usually not very much. I got a little portable OxyFuel kit that comes with the two hoses, two regulators, two tanks, two welding tips, the torch, and one cutting tip. It was only $186 on eBay and it works great
Not trying to nit pick or be the safety nerd everyone hates at work lol but shouldn't you be cutting the oxygen first then the fuel source when shutting down?
welp..Im 44 seconds into the video. You CAN mix acetylene and propane regulator BUT theres a HUGE caveat. anything above 15 PSI on acetylene is highly volatile and explosive. Expensive LP regulators maxes out at 60 PSI,although propane burns cooler than acetylene based on its molar mass(more fuel means more hotter) You can dump more fuel into the fire by increased PSI. "Outlet pressure gauges nearly always show 2 bar above the max of the Regulator" So although a dedicated acetylene gauge shows 30 PSI it should only go 15 PSI and you can crank Propane up passed 15PSI safely...Up to 60 PSI?? I dunno Ive never played with a propane torch that high of PSI. And im going to say probably 90% of the public is just like me and the CHEAP regulator manufacturers slapping an LP sticker on a gauge designed for Acetylene works for me with a delivery pressure of 5 to 12 PSI. But theres probably some specific instances like big rose buds where you'd want to crank delivery over 15 PSI to get everything propane has to offer. OR someone slapping a dedicated propane gauge on a Acetylene tank and accidentally going above 15 PSI. Its important to know everything we can know because its flammable gases and it aint no joke.