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Stick welding 01-27-2013 18:25:39 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	High pressure cylinders are supposed to be fully opened to seat properly but ACETYLENE SHOULD NEVER BE OPENED MORE THAN 1 1/2 TURNS!!! YES, I'M YELLING! That's O/A safety 101! It sounds like your supplier isn't too sure about things. The Airco gas business was bought out by BOC several years ago and the company is called Linde. Cylinders should be bled off in a controlled environment, not at the dock of the welding supply. Having a little pressure in the cylinder is a good thing. [Reply]   [No Email]
Keith Molden 01-28-2013 05:37:08 167.239.222.80 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Stick welding, 01-27-2013 18:25:39   I agree, but tend to dissagree with you. If you check, you will find every answer from 1/4 turn to 1 1/2 turns. The purpose of only opening the acetylene valve a short distance is so it can be closed with a twist of the wrist. When I was teaching welding it was 1/4 turn. We also taught that you never drained the acetylene pressure down all the way as it would let the acetone drain off possibly creating a void in the suspension material. The gas acetylene will become self explosive at 29.4 p.s.i. At least that's what we taught in the 70s & early 80s. things might have changed from then to now. Just my thoughts, Keith   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 01-28-2013 10:57:35 198.53.25.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Keith Molden, 01-28-2013 05:37:08   I said never open more than 1 1/2 turns but usually about 1/4 turn is enough. Somevalves have to be opened more though.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 01-28-2013 11:02:18 198.53.25.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Stick welding, 01-28-2013 10:57:35   I should have added that unless you're using a rosebud, you usually get too small of flame before the acetone will leak.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Leroy 01-28-2013 09:04:19 69.88.205.38 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Keith Molden, 01-28-2013 05:37:08   When I bought my torch back in 1979 I was told to only open the A one full turn and the O full open. Also was told never run the A down to less than 25# because it would damage the cylinder. The O all it will do when it is run empty is the high heat will stop and just the A will keep on burning. Have had that a few times. Just used for farm repairs.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ken-Pa 01-27-2013 18:50:00 75.179.10.67 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Stick welding, 01-27-2013 18:25:39   Well since you YELLED AT ME ,I'll just yell rite back . I ONLY STATED WHAT MY SUPPLIER TOLD ME . But I will definitely confront him again about it . I never heard that Airco sold out to Linde . My shop account is under the Airco name & payments go to Airco .But now I'm curious . If I don't forget when I go out for another refill , I'll ask him that also . I do know ever since this guy started running this supply store , he's layed off , & fired people . Now he himself manages the business & does counter sales , & dock work by himself .When he gets busy , it takes more time to get my counter business done & to get out of there . This guy was originally with GOSS Gas , another local supplier run by his brother who surprisingly has the last name of GOSS . They said he got tossed out due to his self centered method of running the family business . So apparantly that statement was true . I have troubles with a Know-It-All myself . So I just accept some of what he says . God bless, Ken   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 01-27-2013 19:01:43 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Ken-Pa, 01-27-2013 18:50:00   I was intending to yell at you Ken, just in general so one else follows this practice because the first thing you learn in O/A safety is to never open the acetylene very far in case you have to shut it off in a hurry. If your cylinder uses a key always leave it in place for this purpose. Yelling at your supplier for giving you this wrong info about acetylene might be in order though. It wasn't just wrong info, it was dangerously wrong. Your welding supply could be called Airco and have nothing to do with the old Airco brand name/trademark. Airco was very big in O/A and formed a division that originated many cutting machines, including the Radiagraph, Camograph and pipe cutting machines. They also held the first patents and introduced MIG welding in 1948.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ken-Pa 01-27-2013 19:52:31 75.179.10.67 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Stick welding, 01-27-2013 19:01:43   I will definitely mention it to the guy at Airco next time out . I appreciate the info . I'm definitely not what you'd call a welder but do enjoy the challenge & experience learned . I'm only a hobbiest doing my own repairs . I definitely don't profess being a know it all . I'm enjoying plus wanting to learn & I do learn new things daily . God bless , Ken   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 01-27-2013 21:44:04 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: Oxygen Bottle Replacement in reply to Ken-Pa, 01-27-2013 19:52:31   Look in a manual that comes with a torch set. I'm almost certain it will state not to open the acetylene more than 1 1/2 turns. If it doesn't, you can refer to the oxy/acetylene handbook put out by Esab.   [Reply]  [No Email]