[AT] Torch kit

[charlie hill]

John,  I agree with you about propane torches.  There is certainly not a 
thing
wrong with them and they serve their purchase but I've been to a lot of
industrial equipment auctions and propane torches sell very cheap if at all.
Mostly they are used by folks cutting up scrap metal as you implied.

I wrote another comment about the torch popping and was careful not to say
that it is wrong to make one pop because I know guys that will tell you that
it is not incorrect to make one pop and take great pride in lighting it such 
that
it pops but is immediately ready to use with little or no adjusting.  If you 
read the
instruction though, it tells you not to do that.  I never knew of it causing 
a
mechanical problem until I bought this torch I have on a whim because it 
seemed
like a good deal.  If I use it very carefully I can cut with it but if I let 
any of the guys
that work for me occasionally use it, they will blow it out in a matter of 
minutes and
render it useless.  Also, if you have occasion to cut rusty sheet metal your 
torch is
likely to blow out and pop when you hit the rusty spots.  Using a torch on a 
construction
site is a bit of a different animal than using it in a shop where you can 
more easily control
conditions.   I don't think I've used that funky torch of mine in 15 years 
or so.  It's around
here in the case somewhere.

Charlie

-----Original Message----- 
From: jtchall at nc.rr.com
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2016 3:46 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Torch kit

I've been taught both ways, cut the acetylene off 1st and the high pressure
flow of the oxygen will keep the torch from popping. Cut the oxy off first
and you won't get the pop, may roll a bunch of soot tags though. Don't know
which is correct/safer--if either. We have back-flo, flash arresters or
something like that on our torch at work, we added them years later.

If you have a welding supply store near you, I would pay them a visit and
talk with their sales staff. Personally, I would look into getting a new
set-up that uses acetylene. With that you can do anything and you will be
using what 99% of torch owners use. When you have a question or look to get
rid of the torch years down the road, things will be easier. I'm not even
going to debate about propane being cheaper, in your case it does not
matter. You are not looking to slice up 100 pcs of old farm machinery that 4
generations have left in the hedgerows of the family farm are you?  I
probably don't use a tank a year of either.

Regarding tanks, It cost more to rent, but they are somebody else's headache
and whoever you rent from will keep them filled. If you decide to rent and
then decide to get rid of your torch a few years down the road, tank
disposal is easy.

I would suggest whatever you get to have a friend or acquaintance with torch
experience come by and show you how to use it. And for God's sake, wear
cutting goggles when you are cutting. Tinted safety glasses are OK for
warming bolts but weird stuff happens when you start cutting, especially
with multiple pieces welded or bolted together. I got sprayed last year
quite unexpectedly.

John Hall




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