Cleaning acetylene torch tip?

Jewelry Discussion
1

I have been casting with acetylene about 3 times a week for a
year now and have never cleaned my torch tip. It seem to be
getting clogged up a bit. Can anyone advise me on the best way to
clean the tip.

Thanks
Creole

CreoleGold@aol.com

2

I turn on the oxygen a little, just to get a flow out of the tip
to blow out anything that is disloged, then use the multi-sized
wire tip cleaners you can get at your gas supplier. I also
scotch brite the end to spruce it up. Then turn up the oxygen
higher to blow out anything inside.

Stephen Bargsten

3

I have been casting with acetylene about 3 times a week for a
year now and have never cleaned my torch tip. It seem to be
getting clogged up a bit. Can anyone advise me on the best way
to clean the tip.

Most welding supply houses sell a small set of files. Actually
they look like pieces of wire, various guages, that have about a
1 inch section of serarrations. The ‘wires’ are graduated in size
& are permanently mounted in their container which serves as a
handle when using them.

The idea is to start with the smallest one that will go into the
hole & progress up to the original size of the hole. Really work
fast & well. Can’t comment on cost, mine came with my torch. Just
as a guess though, I’d say under $10. They’ll last a lifetime.

You might try a burr, but be careful, you could end up with a
tip with the wrong sized hole/s.

Dave

4

Hi,

For tip cleaners check your local Endodontist, or even Dentist.
They have graduated (in mm’s) small rotary files with plastic
handles on them. These are used to clean out tooth roots in
root canal work. When they are too dull to use on teeth ( they
are still sharp enough for brass, gold or silver) the Dr.
pitches them in the garbage. They are great for small holes.
They are tapered. Ask the Dentist to save them for you and be
sure to ask him to autoclave them (disinfect) them for you,
hepatitis, and aids are out there.

Regards,

Skip

                                  Skip Meister
                                NRA Endowment and
                                   Instructor
                                @Skip_Meister
                                06/07/9709:25:22
5

Whoa, are you saying that there is more than just FLUX in that
tip??? I would never have thought of “drilling out the tip” . . .
guess, If I had more than flux in the tip, I’d break down and
buy a new tip.