Made a stupid mistake yesterday. I left the Orca Disposable Propane (ambient oxygen) torch loaded but off. Then today when I went to light it up, I first checked to see if I had turned it off and just had forgotten to disconnect the torch last night. In fact I thought I had. To be extra safe, I began to unplug the propane, only to have it shoot out from the tank. It stopped as soon as the tank was unplugged (and I had a room full of propane smells), but the real problem is that 1) the torch including the body of. the torch, has yellow wax looking stuff on the torch tip, and inside the body of the torch. I don’t know about the hose as it’s black. I am in a temporary location and can’t get an air compressor to it. Does anyone know what I could do? Also, is the tank ok to use after that? The whole tank and torch felt frozen when it happened. I know I blew it (pun accepted) - now what do I do?
I don’t want to minimize the danger of what you did, but it’s over and now it’s time to clean up. Also, I’m going off of the description of what you wrote without being there and actually seeing what happened. These things can be hard to diagnose completely with just written descriptions.
I’m guessing that you’re using a disposable propane tank with your Orca torch. Propane tanks (including disposable tanks) are filled with liquified propane under pressure. With disposable propane tanks, when the regulator screws into the tank it opens and releases propane into the regulator.
When you screw the regulator off, the tank reseals itself.
Within that process though, there is a midway point where a bit of gas can escape. I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of anyone to releasing so much propane while unscrewing a disposable propane tank regulator. You must have been unscrewing the tank very slowly and tentatively and then stopped in that midway point after gas started to release.
Or you had the tank upside down or sideways.
Remember that the tank is filled with liquified propane. The tank should always be upright and never upside down or sideways. That’s very important!
Either way, I’m guessing that all is well now. To clean up the mess I’d go outside put on rubber gloves and wash everything with water, sponge and dish soap. Then rinse thoroughly. Since you don’t have an air compressor, leave out to dry. How long? As long as it takes to dry.
I think that tank is still good, but without seeing it, I can’t tell for sure. If you want to play it safe, take that tank to hazardous waste collection and get a new one.
Remember that propane and acetylene tanks always have to be upright, never turned sideways or upside down. When screwing a regulator in and out of a disposable propane, do it quickly and efficiently.
When it doubt, do it outside.
Again, based on what wrote, I think that’s what happened and that it’s now resolved, but getting someone with jewelry making experience to come to your studio and actually look at the situation would be smart idea.
Hope that helps!!
Jeff
All good advice. I have an EZ Torch, which is the same thing as an Orca, and, when new, it seemed to have some kind of goo come out of the hose and into the torch tip. I do have a compressor and was able to blow it all out and then cleaned the tip with soap and water and my ultrasonic cleaner. This happened a couple more times and then stopped. Others have had the same thing happen and it may just be part of owning this type of torch. Talk to Otto Frei or whomever you bought it from about this problem. They are great little torches. I use mine mainly for annealing as it has a cooler and softer flame than my Meco and Little Torch. Good luck…Rob
It took a long while for my Orca/EZ torch tip to get that clogging goo I had heard others talk about. Like you I put the tip in my ultra sonic for a few minutes and it cleaned right up. It was a very simple fix.
I like Orca/EZ torch too! I love the soft flame as well.
Thanks Rob!!
Jeff
Jeff - You are spot on. I had no idea I should never turn it sideways. In fact I’ve seen it used on video sitting on a bench sideways so I thought it was OK. I keep my tank in a bucket attached to the bottom of my soldering table. In the bucket is an unopened bag of cat litter. That’s so #1 - the tank doesn’t roll around and #2 - I can put the opened hose on the other side of the littler when disconnected (so the hose doesn’t get damaged elsewhere. But when I need to connect and disconnect the tank (one pound), I pick it up from standing in the budget and put it on my lap (sideways) to unplug it. NO one ever told me I shouldn’t turn it sideways! Every time I use the torch, I’ve been holding it sideways (to screw the hose in and then out when I’m finished. I really like the torch and clean it up and air dry it. And I’ll replace the tank to be safe. Thank you for your notes!
Otto Frei does sell a disposable fuel tank holder. I’ve been meaning to buy one for a while! Seems like a good, inexpensive solution.
Glad you figured out what the problem was and how to fix it!
Jeff