Gases for cutting

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[I]Hello. Where I  live, there are idiots that not help you with questions. Maybe here I can get answers. Some years ago, I was the welder for a company in Las Vegas, Nevada. I used their welding equipment for my work. And also used acetylene/oxy cutting torches from time to time. I was the only welder they had. When I left the company after more than 4 years. I had no equipment to use to weld again. I purchased a small Lincoln MIG welder and a cutting torch kit. I've used my welder a lot. However, I have never used my cutting torch. So, the bottles are still new. I've called here where I live and the people tell me that I can't get acetylene anywhere. I can get the oxy for about $6 a fill. But they tell me I can't get the acetylene anywhere. Good grief!! What other gases can I use for cutting?? I read that propane works. But would I need to change my regulators??HELP!
Reply:Your acetylene regulator may function fine with propane, mine does. Call the manufacturer and ask if you can't locate a parts diagrams to verify that the acetylene and propane models use the same internals but you will definitely need a different torch tip. You will not be able to light and keep lit an acetylene tip running propane or other gas. You just won't.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:You can use propane for cutting, its cheaper and safer than acetylene, the only difference is the Cutting Nozzles and regulator, But the cost of a bottle of Propane is about a third of the price of acetylene, (in UK it is) so you could just buy the nozzles and regulator with the savings.Ebay is good for getting Nozzles and Regs at a reasonable priceYou also need to remember to get a new hose for the propane, Use grade T hose. You can get away with grade R hose for awhile, but the LP gas will degrade the rubber.Last edited by Gerry1964; 10-22-2012 at 07:11 PM.
Reply:Pretty much all modern acetylene regulators can be used with propane. You will need to get a propane tip for your torch. Also, you are supposed to use grade "T" hoses, not grade "R". I use grade "R" because I have them, and I'm just not right, just ask people here!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I just returned my oxygen cylinder to airgas when they said it would cost $90 for another full one seventy something plus all of the taxes and fees.  That is for the biggest one 336 or 300 or some letter.  I might just guess you have extremely tiny cylinders and that is the issue.  Try and get a 40 cubic foot cylinder or bottle or tank or whatever you want to call it. That is really the smallest size you should be using for cutting.  Maybe an adapter for the regulator would be in order.  Have you tried a plumbing supply place they might have tiny acetylene clyinders.  Of course you didn't put a location so maybe something else is going on.Your regulator will work fine for propane though you might need an adapter piece as the place to attach the regulator to the propane tank is only the same as some sizes of acetylene cylinder attachment points.  The cutting nozzle would pretty much need to be for propane or natural gas and the hose should be T rated.
Reply:Everbody seems to be right on point. However the best fuel gas today is a product called Chemetane.It cuts competively with Acet and carries BTU's for any propane heat nozzle.  You can not weld with it but brazing and cutting are excellent.  Propane tips are recessed and are two piece tips.  You will need a special tip cleaner.When you purchase tips for your torch, ask the LWS for a High Preheat tips, has more preheat outlets than a reg. tip.It cuts best if you start a little in off of the edge of the plate and then back to the edge to start your cut.Your Acet reg will work but you will have to turn it up past the 15psi red line for acetylene to use it with Chemetane.You will use more oxy. with fuel gas but then oxy is cheaper than acet and bottle for bottle you ket about 4 more times the use out of an equal size Chemetane tank and it will not foul your tips.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manPretty much all modern acetylene regulators can be used with propane. You will need to get a propane tip for your torch. Also, you are supposed to use grade "T" hoses, not grade "R". I use grade "R" because I have them, and I'm just not right, just ask people here!
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingSame here been running propylene through my regulator and R hoses for over 10 years. and to the safety police that have read one to many books and never done this in real life GFY
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldHaw haw he he, you go man. I have only thought about saying  the po po thing.Peter
Reply:Can you use regular propane cylinders for grills ect or do the torches require a special valve?
Reply:I use grill tanks for cutting with propane. I did not require any adapters for my regulators to fit the grill tanks. I use Harris regulators. YMMV.Hobart Stick mate LX AC/DCHarris O/A outfit
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingSame here been running propylene through my regulator and R hoses for over 10 years. and to the safety police that have read one to many books and never done this in real life GFY