Prest-O-Light acetylene torch

Jewelry Discussion
21 
 I'm wondering . . . and feeling confused.  I' ve always been told
that Propane is more dangerous than Acetylene, Propane is heavier
than air and will pool at the lowest point of any building.  If
there is a leak the propane will go to the lowest point, collect
and may cause an explosion.  Have I been mislead by false

Acetylene is a very dangerous gas to have around the workshop if its
not totally necessary. You would be much better using Propane or
Butane and, of these two, Propane is the better as, on high use
torches, it is less likely to freeze up.

22

Ok, this is the second time I’ve seen this phrase in the last couple
of days. What on earth does “freezing up” mean with relation to gas
flow in torches? We have several “high-use” acetylene torches in
nearly constant operation at the college lab and over many years’
time … no one (prof., lab assistants, long-time students) has ever
experienced anything they’d describe this way or heard the term
before …

    ....Propane is the better as, on high use torches, it is less
likely to freeze up.

Also, let’s be clear here … acetylene, propane, natural gas and
butane are ALL dangerous gasses. With ALL of them, you have to
follow appropriate precautions and safety procedures, with storage,
leak-checks, shutdowns, ventilation, etc. They all carry risk of
fire and/or explosion if not handled properly.

Propane is heavier than air and will tend to “pool” at the lowest
point until ignited by a spark. It also doesn’t have a heavy and
nasty odor to warn you of this. Acetylene has a very strong odor
that will help you detect even a minor leak very quickly, and is not
as explosive unless mixed in specific proportions with oxy or air.
Natural gas is very explosive and doesn’t dissipate easily, but also
has a strong and easily-identifiable scent. So all have their pros
and cons.

Your choice of fuel should be based on ease-of-use, cost,
accessibility (i.e., do you have a reliable source for it?),
suitability to the task (i.e., what metals are you working?), and
then all safety precautions should be followed appropriately.

Karen Goeller
@Karen_Goeller

23

It as long as you are not working platinum it really doesn’t matter
which fuel gas you use, they are all dangerous. Acetylene all by
itself is explosive if it is under more than 15 psi , propane is
heavier than air and will collect in low spots and all of them will
cause fire and possibly explosion if they are allowed to leak out of
their tanks or if improperly handled. So be safe, you should check
your tanks and hoses regularly with a leak check liquid and
visually inspect them for damage. Also make sure the hoses are rated
for the gas you are using there are two types of fuel gas hose one
that is safe for acetylene and one that is safe for all other fuel
gas. If you rely on the idea that the gas you are using is safe so
you don’t need to worry about it you are asking for trouble.

Jim

24 
Propane is heavier than air and will tend to "pool" at the lowest
point until ignited by a spark.  It also doesn't have a heavy and
nasty odor to warn you of this.  Acetylene has a very strong odor
that will help you detect even a minor leak very quickly

Hi Karen,

My propane actually is very smelly, whereas my husband’s welding
torch with Acetylene isn’t smelly like the propane.

Marta

25

Just in case anyone is in the dark about leak check fluid, it can be
as simple as soapy water. Just dope it on with a brush and watch for
bubbles. I would recommend leak checking at least as often as you
touch connections with a wrench (either tightening or untightening).

Tom

26

On the issue of propane vs acetylene, and danger.

My insurance company would have a fit to know I have a propane tank
in my basement, it is against not only their rules, but state law as
well. The ONLY propane tank that is legal in a home or building, is
a disposable one. The other larger tanks require the gas to be piped
in, and the pipes and system to be examined and approved by
professionals in building inspections.

Large acetylene tanks, on the other hand, ARE legal to have inside
of a building. Your homeowners insurance would not automatically void
your policy if you had a fire as a result of an acetylene tank fire,
but WOULD void in a heart beat for propane…

I took a class from a rep from an air gas company, and the info was
simple = no propane in doors, it reacts totally different to
acetylene, and is volatile, and lays low on floor if there is a
leak, till some tiny spark, even from a phone or a dropped tool on
concrete floor, and then, kiss your EVERYTHING goodbye!

The worst that was said about acetylene is that it is dirty fuel,
can’t be moved and lighted quickly, and burns really hot for most
small delicate jobs…

My advise is to speak with fuel gas dealers in your area, And,
discreetly discuss the issue of insurance with a fire marshall,
insurance agent, or firefighter, Maybe several of them and find out
what your region’s laws are, and how much you loose or gain with each
fuel.

If you find a fuel gas rep to be casual about any issue of safety
and differences between the gases, I would run, not walk to the door!
Take advise only from the most conscientious professional.

While I take the risk with lg propane tanks in my home, my safety
protocol is very extreme. as it should be. I have done my homework
to know what is possible in potential disasters, and how to avoid
them. That said, there is still a risk, and my home could be
toothpicks in the next block if I make a stupid mistake, (acetylene
won’t do that!)

There is much to carefully consider! Frif

27 
   Acetylene is a very dangerous gas to have around the workshop
if its not totally necessary. You would  be much better using
Propane or Butane and, of these two, Propane is the better as, on
high use torches, it is less likely to freeze up.

All of the gases used in welding are dangerous, it’s just the nature
of the danger that differs. Acetylene is unstable above 15 psi as a
gas, that’s why it is stored dissolved in acetone in the tank. It is
important to keep acetylene tanks upright to maintain the acetone in
the tank. Propane (LP) is dangerous because it will pool in a low
spot in the event of a leak and can follow a buried line up under a
house. I saw the aftermath of just such a leak. The line from an
outdoor tank should always come out above ground before entering a
building. Oxygen is explosive in the presence of oil and grease. I
have seen a regulator with the adjusting screw blown out because
someone carelessly got oil on the regulator when changing tanks. He
died and they redesigned the regulators to handle such a burnout. Also
the higher pressure tanks can turn into torpedoes if the valve is
knocked off. That’s why chaining of the tanks is recommended. I have
also found that some welding suppliers can be a bit too blas about
the dangers involved. Be knowledgeable and read some of the little
brochures that are usually around at the suppliers. . For Linde
parts (Prestolite) I would try Praxair AKA APCO (Acetylene Products
Co). They are the direct descendants here at the old Linde Union
Carbide plant; 1500 Polco, Speedway Indiana 46224.

Dan Wellman

28 
    My insurance company would have a fit to know I have a propane
tank in my basement,, it is against not only their rules, but state
law as well. The ONLY propane tank that is legal in a home or
building,, is a disposable one. There is much to carefully consider!

I have a solution for that! In my shop, I use the disposable
propane tanks. I keep a couple on hand. They’re cheap, only a couple
bucks each. When they’re empty, I take them home and refill them
from a larger 20 lb. tank kept outdoors with an inexpensive refilling
coupling called a “propane refilling kit” I got from Harbor Freight
for $12.99. The regulator for the disposables I got from Stuller for
$40.50. Works just fine for my Meco and Little torches and no more
bomb under the bench. I know every other jeweler on the street has a
big white bottle under his bench, but I’ve always wondered why the
fire marshall never seems to worry about it. One of those babies has
enough propane in it to take out the entire side of a building before
burning the rest of it to the ground.

David L. Huffman David L. Huffman Studios, Inc.