Propane V/S Acetelyene For Home Shop

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This post is a continuation of a topic I posted earlier this week regarding acetelyene safety.  Propane from my understanding is a more stable gas than acetelyene.  If I am only going to cut and heat mild steel in my home shop, wouldn't oxy/propane be a much safer alternative to acetelyene?  Will my cuts in steel with propane be as clean as acetelyene?  I am looking at the Smith Medium Duty Propane Torch Outfit.
Reply:I don't know if it's any safer, mostly depends on who is using it. If you aren't going to weld with it then propane would be fine. A little slower for cutting but not too bad.... longer preheat. Should be cheaper especially since it sounds like you need to buy everything still. I would try it, if you don't like it then you can always go buy an acetylene bottle later.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:As long as you know you and can accept that you cannot fusion weld ferrous metals, then I would choose propane. If you used to using acetylene, a little practice will get you used to the difference. once you internalized that difference, you will be fine.
Reply:The Smiths are very nicely made and survive student use. You can't go wrong buying them.As for gas, I use both. It's cheap to try, and if you try propane first and it does what you want, then no need for acetylene.
Reply:Propane's safety factor is greater than acetylene. However, when used properly, acetylene is very safe. I would guess (and just a guess) that the users of acetylene to propane would be at least 75/25 respectively. I do not know any hobbiests who use propane. I have never seen propane used in muffler shops and I worked in them and we had some, not so intelligent, workers there. I hardly ever hear of acetylene accidents on the news. I only heat and cut with a torch, so I haven't touched acetylene in a long time. Propane is very cheap in comparison.Learn properly, work safely and dont worry."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've been using propane for a while now cuz I traded in my acetylene bottle for shielding gas.  I like the propane cuz the tanks are easy to find cheap or free and you can get them filled 24hrs a day at a gas station or wally world.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Propane is cleaner cutting that is why they used to use it on the burner tables, track torches and such. Propane does flash worse than acy, so just dont get the gas to close to you while lighting it. In other words dont wear your striker on your belt till you get used to it. It helps if you just turn on a bit of oxygen with the propane while lighting. Harold
Reply:for years most of my needs have been cutting or heat and beat...Propane is great for these applications and is also super cheap to run.  5 gallons propane = 2+ 250cfm bottles oxygen.  You've gotta remember you can't fusion weld with propane thou
Reply:I haven't used propane in a while but I remember having to adjust the gas then oxy then gas then oxy a few times to get the flame right, whereas acetylene you set the acetylene first then the oxy and your done, anyone else experience this? am I lighting the propane wrong?"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:To light propane or even natural gas if you use that set the torch tip on its side resting on the steel plate.  Open the propane and the flame will ignite rather than blow itself out.  Add Oxy and then lift from plate and fine tune.   Flammable range of acetylene is 2.5 % to 85 %   Propane is 2.1 to 9.5 % ... a lot safer.  Also no 15 psi limit.
Reply:Propane is not as hot as act, so you cannot weld with it but i have been using it to cut steel with for 51 yrs.
Reply:I used to know a welder in Oklahoma that used a propane cutting torch for brazing. Said said he prefered it over the acy welding torch. Something else to ponder. Huh? Harold
Reply:Thanks to everyone so far for the advice.  Since I am probably just going to cut, head and bend, it sounds like propane is the answer for me.  It sounds much safer as well...
Reply:I use Acetelyene for all my torch uses but, have a question.  If I were to switch to using propane as the fuel gas, what changes or mods would I have to make to my current setup?  I am sure different tips, but what about torch body, valves, and fuel regulator?  Thanks!A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by smawgmawI use Acetelyene for all my torch uses but, have a question.  If I were to switch to using propane as the fuel gas, what changes or mods would I have to make to my current setup?  I am sure different tips, but what about torch body, valves, and fuel regulator?  Thanks!
Reply:I use propane and acetylene to cut and heat with, and I am happy with both. As long as you have the correct tip and know how to adjust your flame, both gases work great. I really do not see a difference in safety with one or the other. Safety lies in the person operating the equipment, common sense and knowing the proper methods of use. As far as using the same equipment, opinions differ, and it has been argued on this forum before. I think you can use an acetylene regulator with propane(not the other way around because of pressure limits), I use T grade hose on a dedicated setup for propane because it will outlast grade R, and all of my torches can run either fuel gas with the correct tip.
Reply:I have been using propane for about 40 yrs ,and I think that a 20 lb propane wil outlast at least 2 or 3 lg. oxygen Airgas calls them 244's Still keep a small oxy.act. setup for brazing . Many yrs. ago putting up a spiral stair job in Norfolk Mass. doing some burning outside the house had a leak in the line didn't know about, propane does not blow away,just settles till the mixture with the air is right then  !!Boom no shirt on burned like a pizza, closest hospital 30 miles Norwood no cell phones in those days, brother started driving,I'm hanging out the window,didn't hurt at first after 15 min forgt it. Ten miles out police led the way to hospital ,they had a tank of ice water to submerg me into. bandged me up and sent me home.Went back a few days later to finish the job.Haven't had any problems since just more careful.
Reply:Originally Posted by smawgmawI use Acetelyene for all my torch uses but, have a question.  If I were to switch to using propane as the fuel gas, what changes or mods would I have to make to my current setup?  I am sure different tips, but what about torch body, valves, and fuel regulator?  Thanks!
Reply:Like stick-man and wnywelder, a T grade hose will last longer than a R grade. The tips in the torch will have to be changed, but you can use the acet regulator for propane. Also a  link as  to why 'you cannot  weld with propane.' http://en.allexperts.com/q/Welding-3...ng-torch-1.htm I suppose the statement should be 'why you can't weld successfully with propane.'  The heat is there, only @250 degs. less than acet or 5650 degs. Steel melts at 2800 degs. more or less. According to the above link, it's the chemical makeup of propane that makes it not a good welding fuel. Any added comments to this?Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV
Reply:I have seen steel pieces welded with propane done for the sake of the argument.  The weld was large and oxidized.  You cannot concentrate the heat like you can with an acetylene flame.  I have personally attempted to weld with MAAP gas.   A similar thing happens.   I never thought I would say it but oxyacetylene welding is horse and buggy stuff.  Just like forge welding with a hammer it has its place.....  in a historical museum demonstration.  Ouch!  :'))
Reply:Thanks to all for the info.  I only cut and heat with a torch, no welding, so the switch would not be a problem there.  Thanks again!A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by smawgmawThanks to all for the info.  I only cut and heat with a torch, no welding, so the switch would not be a problem there.  Thanks again!
Reply:Thanks to all for the info. Very helpful.I was wondering if I can braze with propane?
Reply:Tom, read welderskelter