I use a Smith Little oxy/propane torch for jewelry work, almost daily. I live on a ranch, very far from an oxygen tank supplier. I switched to an 80 cu ft. tank, and when I connected my regulator and pressured up, it wouldn’t show the correct pressure unless I tapped it a few times. Then, even after bleeding the line etc. it’s making a clicking noise and with every click the torch slightly flares. I’m not super savvy on this, I’ve never had a problem before. I don’t know if upping my tank size was wrong, or if the regulator suddenly is going bad. I bought it new about 3 years ago. Thanks SOOOO much for any help or advice! Sharron
I can’t diagnose it without being there, but it sounds like your regulator is defective and that you shouldn’t use it. If you live on a ranch, chances are good that someone close by has a working oxygen regulator for gas welding.
Can you upload a picture of your regulator? That would help us to know if your regulator is as common as I think it is.
Thanks!
Jeff
What’s weird is that it’s always worked perfectly until I changed (and upsized) my cylinder…
I can’t solve this problem, but if the availability of O2 is a problem, consider an O2 concentrator. Don’t take chances with the regulator. Take it and the flashbacks to a good weld shop and let them check it out…Rob
Thank you for your feedback!
You might try it without the flashback arrester. It might need a new one.
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I thought that a normal O2 regulator would not work with a Smith Little Torch.
Something about the pressure could not be set to a low enough flow to work with the torch. I bought many years ago the regulators that came with the torch. I have had them serviced twice over the last 20 ish years to make sure they were good.
because the problem started when the larger tank was used, I wonder if the problem would go away with a smaller tank. If so, I would ask your gas supplier what might be going on.
The pressure in a 80 cu ft cylinder is about the same as that in a 40 cu ft cylinder (~2200 psi full.) I have used both 40 and 80 with the same regulator and a Smith Little Torch with no problems.
Modern regulators don’t seem to hold up very long. I had an old pair of Victor regulators that lasted me more than 40 years. I still use the gas regulator.
On modern regulators it seems that it’s the diaphragm/spring that give out and give that pulsing on the low pressure side that you are experiencing. You can buy a repair kit for ~$25 and easily replace the original. But success here is iffy. I’ve done it a few times and sometimes it works ok for a while. You can also have the regulators rebuilt for ~$100 each but how long would that last? As Rob said, an oxygen concentrator might just be what you need.
I have often thought of buying a high $$ two stage oxy regulator which would be rather good for the low pressures needed for a LT but they’re pretty pricey.
– alonzo
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I think Brennan’s idea of temporarily removing the flashback arrestor and seeing if that is defective is a good one. It’d be great if that was the problem as the flashback arrestor is a comparatively small part to replace.
I thought I’d add to the other comments that a common way to blow out & wreck an oxygen regulator is to not back off the pressure to the handle and hose completely before opening the tank. (backing off the tee valve)
The regulator has two sections. The first section of the regulator is kind of like the gas gauge in a car and says how much gas is in the tank. The second section is what controls the pressure to the torch handle. The first section of the oxygen regulator is designed to withstand the impact of 2000ish psi. But the section of the regulator controlling the pressure to the handle isn’t designed to withstand the impact of 2000 psi repeatedly. The regulator section to the handle is only designed for roughly 20 psi max. If you don’t turn off the pressure from the regulator to the torch handle completely before opening your oxygen tank, eventually the impact of the full pressure of the tank will wreck the regulator.
If I was to guess, that’s what happened here, but who knows? Best thing is to not fool around. If it’s not the flashback arrestor, take it to a shop & have it tested or buy a new regulator.
When I said earlier about borrowing a working oxygen regulator from someone nearby, that was with the idea of making sure that there is nothing wrong with your torch. The Little Torch has very small orifices. It doesn’t take much to plug something up and make it sputter.
Lots of great suggestions here! I hope it helps Sharon!
Jeff
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Thank you Brennan, that never occured to me and I’ll try it now.
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Thank you so much Jeff! Your explanation makes perfect sense, and I’ve never heard it explained so concisely. I especially didn’t know about the sensitivity of the second section. Even though I release pressure and bleed lines daily, doesn’t mean I’ve never screwed it up. I will follow these recommendations to the letter.
I’m so glad that I finally decided to join this community. It is so incredibly hard to learn these kind of details in isolation, and it’s both helpful and dare I say comforting to receive expert advice that is also kindly given. I am truly grateful! Sharron
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Well I’m at least glad to know that it wasn’t me switching to the bigger tank that did it! I have some of my late father-in-law’s tools from the 40s-70s, and they are so much better and sturdier than most of my newer tools. In this case, and considering it’s gas, oxy and FLAME, I’ll do the checks advised here and if the regulator is iffy I’ll just buy a new one. You’ve all been so helpful, Thank You!! Sharron
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Thank you Gerald, I will surely do that! Sharron
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I bought a Victor 2 stage regulator for oxyacetylene decades ago when I used a cutting torch tip to cut sheet steel to weld into windchimes and mobiles…the first stage regulator is designed for high pressure, steps the pressure down for the second stage to feed to the hoses and torch… it still works perfectly… I was careful to shut off the tank valve tight and depressurize the regulators, hoses and torch…also watched for any repressurisation that indicated a tank valve leak…
This set up is overkill for jewerly use. An oxygen concentrator could be better. You don’t need to fuss with lugging heavy bottles to the gas supplier, fuss with high pressure regulators.