Scored some nice gas axes!!

**IamPhil** · 10-11-2015, 08:52 PM

Hi yal!! Been busy hauling milk on account of less than stellar shred prices... But couldn't pass up 2 3ft Harris torches for 125! (The pair) They run on pane so I'll need to set up for that.. But I've got a 200 gal pig so that's fine by me. I'm going to love not having molten metal in my flesh!!! That and cutting springs n other bouncy things haha.
Regards
iap

**Patriot76** · 10-11-2015, 09:03 PM

Congratulations, that is a great score. It is the tip, not the torch that dictates the gas. That is assuming I understand your post.

**IamPhil** · 10-11-2015, 09:13 PM

From what I've gathered some mixers can do both and some can't. Not sure if these roll both ways or not haha. People keep telling me propane is the way to go so I'll give it a shot lol.
Iap

**diesel1** · 10-12-2015, 09:59 PM

Usually just the tip that needs to be changed but some units can't flow enough volume for propane. After seeing some local scrappers using propane; I bought a propane tip for my Smith torch and gave it a try. Works OK; one has to hold the flame cone back a bit from the work as the peak heat is further out. Seemed to use a lot more oxygen, so negligible cost savings in my test run.

**IamPhil** · 10-14-2015, 09:57 PM

That's my thought. But I can get the propane at bulk price. .89 per gallon atm. So it might work out in my favor. Getting a grill can fri the gas station? No way never would be even close to cost effective. I know all the heavy truck wreckers in my area use bulk propne. I've used natural gas at the bridge fabrication plant I worked at. It works really good but we ran big tips and the oxygen is delivered by the semi load so we really didn't care or pay for it lol. crank it up the 30 pounds and go. At home I've only used acetolene.(i forgets how to spell it lol) I really like it... Hot fast and blows threw rust decent. But I'll give pane a run and see what I think.
Iap

**Patriot76** · 10-14-2015, 10:45 PM

I have used natural gas, acetylene, gasoline, propane and jet fuel for cutting. The best results for each gas depends on skill and technique. For general scrapping projects propane is the only cost effective option in my opinion. If the project requires cutting aluminum, cast iron or iron with a diameter of one foot or more, I would select gasoline or jet fuel. With scrap art, acetylene is my gas of choice. I have given up on natural gas because I have not found a use that the other gasses could not meet, much less out perform. Just my opinion and personal perspective.

**IamPhil** · 10-14-2015, 11:47 PM

The natural gas was piped in tho the plant hence why they went that route I assume. We cut 6+ inch material with it. (Clean factory cuts) how much difference between pane and natgas? I'd guess similar? Gasoline with a petrogen torch I assume? Is the jet fuel the same set up? I always though get fuel was just glorified diesel. How do those gasoline torches work? Iv seen some videos and they look sweet. Online reviews were a mixed bag tho..
iap

**Patriot76** · 10-15-2015, 09:14 AM

[QUOTE=IamPhil;256673]The natural gas was piped in tho the plant hence why they went that route I assume. We cut 6+ inch material with it. (Clean factory cuts) how much difference between pane and natgas? I'd guess similar? Gasoline with a petrogen torch I assume? Is the jet fuel the same set up? I always though get fuel was just glorified diesel. How do those gasoline torches work? Iv seen some videos and they look sweet. Online reviews were a mixed bag tho..

We used Petrogen torches purchased from Petrogen Inc. out of Colorado Springs, CO. We bought five sets for a project I was working on. They are designed to burn any fuel because they are used by the NATO, fire departments, search and rescue, and many military forces around the world. They are also common in the Russian and Chinese oil fields although produced by other companies.

They work very similar to other torches although the start up is a little different. The thing I found most valuable is the training format the company uses. It is very detailed, hands on and we had an instructor for each student. I loved the torches, but honestly if your not doing a lot of heavy cutting it might not be worth it. Although a gallon of gas is a lot cheaper than other fuels, it would take a long time to recoup the cost of the equipment.