The Armour Archive

I'm running out of gas an I'm low on cash. Besides backfiring, are there any other safety considerations when trying to run an Acetylene until empty? How low can you go? I have check valves in the torch. I've read that one should not go below 25 psi on the supply side of the regulator. 30 psi seems to be suggested as shut off time. If any trained users could speak up I'd appricate it.

W

Get one helluva bang if the oxy starts flowing into the acetylene tank... I think that could explain if you suddenly were to stop posting right about now. Simmer down and amass the cash.

Already powered down and getting more gas ...

I understand getting O2 back into the torch, but in general, with check vavles, O2 shouldn't get back into the Acetylene tank, no? I'm all about safety though. Thanks K.

W

waveicle wrote:Already powered down and get more gas ...

I understand getting O2 back into the torch, but with check vavles it shouldn't get back into the Acetylene tank, no?

W

You better hope not.

I've never run a tank out... I have always accidentally left the supply on and had it slowly leak out of my crappy regulator until empty.
I use the DHC torch which always runs at 4psi acetylene. Whether you're welding or cutting, and no matter what tip you're using, it's 4psi, 4psi, 4psi - it never changes.

However, the oxygen does change if you're cutting: it's 4psi if you're welding but it gets cranked up to 16 or so if you're cutting. So this torch, at least, is designed to have the oxygen much higher than the acetylene.

You don't want to pull the Acetone out of the tank, makes for messier welds/cuts and then it needs to be replaced before reloading with acetylene---makes for pissed off gas suppliers.

Generally you can tell by the colour of the flame and how it "acts".


Be safe! Acetylene is one of the things that can exothermically disassociate *without* the presence of O2! (why blowback preventors are mandatory for Acetylene tanks)

Thomas

Acetylene can even dissociate parts of your body without your consent. Stop using the tank when it is told to do so.