It’s time to change the potassium hydroxide/water solution in my
Aqua Torch. I know the stuff is caustic–my question is, will it
damage plastic? At Harbor Freight I found a hand-pumped siphon pump
that would be perfect for removing the old solution from the internal
chamber of the torch. Before I try it and risk making a horrible
mess, will it be safe to use this with the potassium hydroxide
solution, or will the plastic dissolve?
Kathy- I’ve used a water torch for over 20 years and have never had
a problem changing out my solutions. The tubes in my machine are
plastic so I’m betting that you won’t have a problem. Be sure to wear
gloves and eye protection.
The easiest way I’ve found of siphoning liquids from one vessel to
another is to go to home depot (or similar) and buy a length of fish
tank-type clear hose (in a larger diameter than for fish tanks) take
a long piece of sturdy but thin wire or nylon string and tie a bit of
cloth rag to the end, just big enough to form a seal inside the tube
but small enough to easily pull it thru the tube and thread the
wire/sting thru the tube. Put the rag end into the offending liquid
and give a sharp tug. It forms a vacuum and creates a siphon.
Just undo the sight tube / water level pipe from the top of the cell
and lower it into the bucket and let it drain out. Gets most of it
out. Flush with lots of distilled water. That’s what I did with my
microweld.