Oxy-acetylene torch to cut and clean scrap metal? - Page 2

Originally Posted by Scrappah

Yeah .. definitely clean the tips of ANY oil & clogs before you put them back into use. I usually blow them out with compressed air but a rinse with acetone would work too.



That's a good point on replacing just the cutting torch. I appreciate the advise ... it's not something i had thought of. That might just do the trick !

Maybe after that a propane rig ? The yearly tank lease is 94.00$ A tank of Oxygen and a tank of Acetylene was something like another 87.00$ at the nearby depot where we can exchange empty ones for full ones the last time i checked. It's an expensive tool to own but it's one of those things where if you don't have the tool you can't do the job. Propane would cost a lot less to run and still do the job for most things.

On my propane rig just used a regulator from a BBQ without a guage.

Some of you might not be aware that your not supposed to use an acetylene tank laying on its side.

Acetylene gas is mixed in liquid acetone for safe storage and usage. Acetone in acetylene cylinders helps stabilize the gas making it non-reactive within the cylinder. In this process, acetylene is dissolved in liquid acetone under high pressure. The cylinder is then filled with porous material like firebrick. This keeps the acetylene in liquid form making it easier to transport the cylinders.
Advantages of Acetoning Acetylene Gas
Acetoning of acetylene when storing it in a cylinder is vital to the safe and effective storage and functioning of acetylene. It is also vital for the safe transportation of acetylene cylinders. Here are a few reasons why acetylene should be stored in liquid acetone:

1. 1. It helps stabilize the acetylene keeping it from reacting with oxygen.
   2. Since pure acetylene cannot be pressurized without causing an explosion, it is mixed in acetone to reduce the pressure.
   3. Acetone has the capabilities to dissolve large amounts of acetylene. For example, one liter of acetone can dissolve 250 liters of acetylene. This is possible at 10 atmospheres of pressure. Hence, it proves to be a relatively economical method.

Need for Porous Material When Acetoning Acetylene Cylinders
The porous material used in the cylinder serves the following purposes:

1. 1. Ensuring there is no free space within the cylinder.
   2. Helps in cooling the internal atmosphere in case of thermal decomposition.
   3. Formation of high pressure pockets within the cylinder is a major cause for concern of acetylene cylinder manufacturers, suppliers, and user. However, the porous material helps in relieving any pressure that builds up over time.

Application Example of Importance of Acetoning Acetylene Gas
The fact that acetylene can remain stable when being transported helps in completion of many tasks. For example, welding work can be performed at the higher stories of buildings even without a strong electrical connection. At higher altitudes, pressure decreases, this could prove to be a problem when dealing with acetylene, as acetylene in such conditions can cause explosions. This is where incorporation of porous material and proper acetoning of acetylene cylinders proves to be useful. Both these features help in reducing the pressure that builds up within the acetylene cylinders.
Importance of Safe Handling of Acetylene Cylinders
Dissolving acetylene in acetone is an important process that helps in safe handling of acetylene cylinders. However, extreme caution should still be exercised when handling and storing acetylene cylinders. When using this equipment, it is important to maintain the alignment of the cylinders. Acetylene will remove acetone easier in the horizontal position than when it is used in the vertical position. Hence, the cylinder should be stored accordingly.
Acetylene cylinders should be acetoned properly. At the same time, the porous material used to stabilize the gas should be chosen carefully. If both these processes are not performed well, the gas could remain unstable causing explosions. Hence, acetoning and introduction of porous material in acetylene cylinders is of prime importance for safe storage and handling.

Using a propane torch for cutting, choose the proper tip size for the metal your cutting, to light the tirch turn on the fuel ( propane ) when the torch is lit adjust the gas flow until the flame just begins to leave the tip now open the oxygen valve oin the torch just enough that the flame makes contact with the tip.

Now you'll see the cones form at the base of the flame, should sound like tearing paper.

Acetylene, light the fuel then turn it up enough os that the black smoke dissisipates, your ready to give the torch oxygen your ready to cut, once the cut has begun angle your torch towards the direction of the cut, if your cutting heavy metal the degree od angle will be much less than that for light guage metals.

I used a number 4 tip the centre hole large enough to fit a pencil lead, using this tip a skilled burner can cut upwards of six inch thick metal, round shafting is the most difficult to get started on a cut.

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

I know this doesn't answer your question but I use a plasma cutter. I started out with a junk Everlast. After 2 episodes of dealing with warranty work I got rid of it and went with a Hypertherm. I am really impressed/happy with it.

I am also set up to go mobile with a generator and compressor. Generator does okay. Compressor really lacks. Wishing I had gone with a bigger unit. Shop compressor does fine, it's a Puma 60 gallon upright. Had never heard of Puma, but it was cheap enough I thought why not give it a try. I've been pretty happy with this also.

Lugging around s generator and compressor to operate a plasma you're definatly serious about scrapping.

I had the Cut 70 plasma which imediatly developed a problem, trying to get help from the Chinese vedor - no English me no Cantonese was fruitless. Figured the thing was a write off at this point saw no harm in having a peek inside, what I found is a set of contact points than make the high frequencey one of the wires leading to the contacts was arcing to the cabinet, rerouting the wire fixed the problem.

Would I buy aniother, in a heart beat.

The 70 amp plasma would cut 3/4" thich steel all day long without so much as warming up. Best part is that the consumables are far cheaper than your Hypertherm.