do check valve flash arresters ever go bad?

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do check valve flash arrestors ever go bad? dont really know anything about them.  thks bobbobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Mine dont. I throwed them in the top of the tool box. They have been there since I bought my torch about 40 years ago. I have that hoarders problem, I always thought I might find a good use for them. There is still hope.
Reply:thats too fiunny.......if you used them would they have gone bad?bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:I have had a flash arrestor go bad once.  It got plugged up and wouldn't let gas through.  I don't know if it was a check valve type or what.  It was a Victor torch so I just sent it in for a reman.
Reply:By committing the sin of drafting acetone through mine (rose bud) the inside of the one on my acetylene got gooey and sticky. It took awhile before the affects showed up, not that day.  Couldn't get good consistent flow until I took it out then followed up with a new one. The original was a pretty old one. Bought them used in the mid '80's. Could be newer or different manufacturers use plastics or rubbers that aren't susceptible to acetone."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Honestly. I can see no reason for them. They make your torch heavier and longer (bulkier). When you shut off your torch the gas and oxygen cant get thru to each other. When its off they run out the tip. Think about it. If you burn the torch hose into and catch fire like it happens the gas will burn and the arresters wont help. Just cant see any use for them. But I did try to blow thru one in my tool box the other day and couldnt so to answer your question, I guess they even go bad there. Ha
Reply:like Welderskelter, i never had them on my older Victor torches till my boys started using them. i still have one set without them that only i use. both my new Victor sets have them built in and are too new to have had a chance to wear out. i don't use them on my Meco midget either.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:I've had them go bad, usually you don't notice it until you're using bigger tips that require more cfm. I usually notice it when cutting, the flame with start feathering (carburizing)when the oxygen starts plugging up or it'll get all sharp (oxidizing) when the acetylene goes bad. Rosebds are really noticable when they're bad, hard to get a good consistant flame.....Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodslike Welderskelter, i never had them on my older Victor torches till my boys started using them. ........
Reply:Yes they do go bad. They are an important safety item that should always be used.http://www.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-28.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderskelterHonestly. I can see no reason for them. They make your torch heavier and longer (bulkier). When you shut off your torch the gas and oxygen cant get thru to each other. When its off they run out the tip. Think about it. If you burn the torch hose into and catch fire like it happens the gas will burn and the arresters wont help. Just cant see any use for them. But I did try to blow thru one in my tool box the other day and couldnt so to answer your question, I guess they even go bad there. Ha
Reply:I might be somewhat wrong but it seems there are simple one way check valves and ones which qualify as flashback arresers.  I don't know about all the various brands but one set of instructions I have has different part numbers for the torch ones vs the regulator ones.  I have thrown some away which didn't seem to work right when blowing/sucking through them and some other ones kind of made groaning noises not sure if I actually tossed them.  I know general literature says to use them, probably the most complex ones which qualify as flashback arrestors however my instructions for using the largest rosebud heating heads say not to use them and to turn the torch knobs wide open.  You are to install something like a quarter turn valve on the oxygen at the torch.
Reply:I have has different part numbers for the torch ones vs the regulator ones