I have for the last 7 years of my careers used a combination of LPG
gas and oxygen. From my training I understand the using a combination
of oxygen and acetylene yeilds a higher flame tempreture.
Does anyone have any advise for me with regards to how differnt it
is to the use of LPG with oxygen. I know that when using LPG, u open
the LPG tap first and ignite a flame…Is that the same as using the
Acetylene? (I am completely ignorant to the use of acetylene).
I am also using a the “little torch” with safire lined nozzels and
would like to know if anyone knows how well they work wen using it to
melt. I am tying avoid attachment of two lines from my tanks and
thought if i just used the little torch for melting and soldering
then it would b easier. Do u think with the of acetylene i would
yeild a better tempreture for melting as well as soldering with this
small torch? Obviously i am looking at small quantities of metal to
melt.
On mine, the sapphire lined nozzles are the smallest and not
suitable to melting a very large amount. There is a tendency to melt
the metal where the flame hits while the rest returns to the plastic
stage even when moving around. For mine you would need to use one of
the larger tips, but the little torch would work well for 'small’
amounts. Not knowing which torch you are using, there are other tips
available which I suspect could melt as much as an ounce or two.
Changing from LPG to Acetylene will require you change your fuel
hose and buy another regulator for the acetylene, also, purchase a
flashback arrestor for the fuel line.
open the LPG tap first and ignite a flame....Is that the same as
using the Acetylene?
No. With acetylene you need to crack the oxygen before you light it.
If you don’t you’ll get little veils of carbon floating around the
room, which is cause for firing in a welding shop (old joke).
There’s even a cute name for them that I forget. The flame is the
hottest of the common gases, which is a mixed blessing at times. One
thing I like is that it opens up the world of gas welding and
brazing, too
Oxy-Acetylene torches are lit the same way as oxy-LPG, and yes
oxy-Acetylene is hotter. When lighting the acetylene, a small cloud
of black soot will float through the air until you turn on the
oxygen. A plumber friend of mine prefers oxy-LPG because he does not
want the black soot dirtying his customers houses. A good ventilation
system will solve the soot problem, but in time it will blacken
everything in it’s path.
Oxy-LPG will do your melting if you have the correct nozzle. The
most economical solution may be to get a melting nozzle for your
existing little torch set-up. To add acetylene to your system will
require a new gauge or adaptor, a new cylinder, and also a melting
nozzle.
I use a LPG gas-air torch for most jewellery work and a
oxy-acetylene welders torch for melting, fusing, soldering big
silverware items, soldering ring shanks while in the mud bath, and
for making steel tools - forging, welding, hardening and tempering.
Having used a little torch in the past I prefer the two heating
methods described; they are efficient and versatile except for the
soot which ends up everywhere despite the precautions I take.
Changing from LPG to Acetylene will require you change your fuel
hose and buy another regulator for the acetylene, also, purchase a
flashback arrestor for the fuel line.
Flashback arrestors for safety’s sake must be used on any ox/fuel
torch LPG, acetylene, MAPP, propane etc
James Binnion @James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
Thank you to everyone that has so kindly taken the time to explain
the various pros and cons of the Acetylene vs LPG situation. It has
helped a great deal… Will let you all know how it does turn out in
the end…
So james - you say that acetylene equipment should changed when
switching to lpg gas, is this aquired by negative
experience and or inciden
Two reasons to do so, first the hoses rated for acetylene are
attacked by propane which is the major component of LPG. And yes I
have experienced this problem first hand, thankfully no harm done I
could smell the leaking propane and replaced the hose. It is not an
immediate reaction and takes a fair amount of time to destroy the
hose but it does. The second issue applies if you run the LPG at a
greater pressure than 15 PSI which is safe to do with LPG but if
there any residues of acetylene compounds in your regulator or torch
which is possible after long term use it can detonate. This second
scenario is not a very likely one but is possible. So for safety it
is best to have separate dedicated equipment for acetylene and LPG.
Jim
James Binnion @James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts