Newb Oxy welding questions

admin

Hi I got some free torches a while ago, and more recently bought some oxy/ace tanks from craigslist that came with another torch,hoses, cart, regulators and some other stuff.I am eager to get started with welding...well at least learning how to weld. There are a few things still holding me back that I was hoping yall could help out with. Maybe recommend a good book that will cover most of this?1. I can't seem to find any charts to figure out the gas pressures I need with tip size and metal thickness. The two welding torches I have are Harris. One is small model 85, the other is larger but I am not sure of the model number. 2. What kind of filler rods do I need for what metal? I intend to start with welding some exhaust for a car in mild steel and later working with everything from steel and aluminum sheet  to tubing, and cast metals.  3. Where are the best places to find the various filler rods? Money is tight to say the least, I am not against trying to use coat hangers or whatever else to practice with IF that really is something that will work. 4. Maybe this question belongs in a new post...I have heard of people using gas cooking stoves propane tanks for cutting with older style tanks or conversion fittings. Can someone fill me in on this if this is a good cheaper alternative to ace gas?Thanks
Reply:Jere, Pressures are not as critical as some would like you to believe. For your 85 you wont use pressures over about 5psi. Rule of thumb is if the pressure is too low, you wont be able to get enough of a flame out of the tip, if its too high the torch valves are touchy to control. So use only as much pressure as you need to get a neutral flame of the proper size. Pick up a book called the oxyacetlene handbook by linde off of e-bay, it will be your bible. The newest version that is online is worthless. For filler metal, pick up 5 lbs of RG-45. Its cheap and what you want for 90% of steel welding of the type you describe. Dont bother with coat hangars, its a futile effort. As for where to buy it, around me everyone has it, welding shops, fleet farm, TSC, you name it. When you want ot go to aluminum, stainless, cast iron, inconel or magnesium talk to someone versed in torch welding. As for alternate fuels, they can only be used for cutting and heating, not welding ( most materials ).
Reply:Thanks Makoman1860! You covered what I needed to know and then some! The one thing I forgot to mention was two of the torches I have are 18in LP/propane gas cutting torches only, ( well that is what I was told at least). One of the two is a Harris has about a dozen tips that came with it. I was thinking about trying to just sell them, but if there was a way to get some use out of them maybe with just BBQ cooking tank they would be worth holding on to. I haven't had any luck selling them on Craigslist anyways.
Reply:Throw up some (clear) pics of the torches and anything else you have questions about, such as the tips, regulators, etc.Learn what you have before getting rid of any of it. I like cutting with propane as do others here.
Reply:to many variables to type,buy that book.gas welding an brazing steel/castiron with a torch is my favorite welding process but with the macinery today the use for the torch for weldig is all but obsolete, xcept for people in there back yard/small shop.aluminums and some other types u mentioned are welded much better/faster with mig and tig,althugh many can be welded still by o/a, its just not the fastest/best choice for some. read,experiment, then read more. your going to love it.its one of the oldest forms of the tradelincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:Originally Posted by ranger225to many variables to type,buy that book.gas welding an brazing steel/castiron with a torch is my favorite welding process but with the macinery today the use for the torch for weldig is all but obsolete, xcept for people in there back yard/small shop.aluminums and some other types u mentioned are welded much better/faster with mig and tig,althugh many can be welded still by o/a, its just not the fastest/best choice for some. read,experiment, then read more. your going to love it.its one of the oldest forms of the trade
Reply:Here are a few pictures, I don't know much about these at all. Are they worth anything, even in trade?  This one is a Harris that that assortment of  tips fitThis one is an Ox Weld? Not sure at about this regulator, also a HarrisThere might be a few more of these tips somewhere, they are all two piece tips.The other two torches are the model 85 Harris and one that looks the same but is larger it's model 43-2. I have been told that these two also work with propane/LP is that right?I really like the versatility of what I have heard gas torches have. I don't have much space or $1000+ for even a cheap TIG or the wiring in the garage. $300 got two tanks with some gas, hose, regulators, torch, cart, and some other odds and ends. So I am happy and hopefully I can get started on making some nice hand made go fast parts for my car and make some repairs that have needed don't  for a while
Reply:I'm also interested in the oxyacetlene handbook by linde------what year should I be looking for?
Reply:I'm also interested in the oxyacetlene handbook by linde------what year should I be looking for?
Reply:neither of those torches is a welding torch
Reply:neither of those torches is a welding torch
Reply:Thank you Farmall!
Reply:I took some more photos from my dingy garage, they aren't the greatest but I hope they work. Hopefully I didn't go over board with these either.Here is everything besides the clothing and the cart/tanksThere are only 2 welding tips one looks like a 5 the other looks like a 0Here are the cutting tips, I was told the are mostly LP/propane only tipsAnd some close upsHere is an oddball I am not sure what this one fits? This is one of the label on the Oxweld cutting torch  and another of the other half Here is the handle on the Harris cutting torchI am limited to 10 pictures to a post so I will start a new one with more here shortly
Reply:You can see why I am confused about this one there is plate covering up the model # The last owner of these worked at LTV steel before they went out of business. Hence the engraving LTV Here is the box for one of the tips for the above Harris cutting torchHere is the weird regulator It has an oxygen flashback suppressor if that helps anythingStill have a few more to come
Reply:i want an oxweld torch,from old days like yours. i have a purox and i love itlincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:This is more stuff thrown inThe hose with the duck tape has some fraying around the ends for the fittings. Do they sell new fittings some where? Maybe I could cut a little of the ends and put fitting on? These are the tanks and the cart. That is orange paint under that oxygen tanks green?https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1...0/DSC00922.JPG I don't know too much about these tanks either. I am guessing they will have to be re-certified because of all the old dates.   And hopefully these aren't leased tanks. They say Burdett Oxygen Cleveland on the necks of the bottles, I assumed they were out of business when I bought them. Does anyone know for sure?
Reply:Originally Posted by ranger225i want an oxweld torch,from old days like yours. i have a purox and i love it
Reply:a good welding tip for your harrid 85 is a#9.it will handle 1/4 to about5/8inch,but it runs the gas down kinda quickly,also consider a rosebud tip if you gonna do lots of heating/bending.a bit pricey[88$ i paid] but save you gas cuase it will heat a large area faster than a cutting tip  will. j-63-1 and -2 fit ur harris.lincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:Thanks for all of the feedback farmall it's a big help!I am not against trades at all, I don't want to collect stuff I just want stuff I can use that works well.
Reply:Originally Posted by ranger225a good welding tip for your harrid 85 is a#9.it will handle 1/4 to about5/8inch,but it runs the gas down kinda quickly,also consider a rosebud tip if you gonna do lots of heating/bending.a bit pricey[88$ i paid] but save you gas cuase it will heat a large area faster than a cutting tip  will. j-63-1 and -2 fit ur harris.
Reply:dont know. i like the old stuff cause it was made when o/a was king. no engine drives and fancy wire feeders in too many back yard shops in those days.not that todays stuff is no good. i have a book published in 1948 by linde called welding and cutting. has a chart with all of the cutting/ welding tips for purox,and oxweld torches and recommended pressureslincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:Well I found out about the tanks today. I went to pick up some filler rod and I asked about re-certification and they said no one around does certification. But then they asked what was stamped around the bottle neck. There was a moment of silence and some customer standing around said" thats you guys right from way back!?" Then the sales guy that was waiting on me said "yeah, you are in luck buddy. Those are ours!"...    Oh well live and learn I guess.
Reply:The acetylene cylinder has a brass adapter fitting installed. Remove it and keep in stash if you exchange the cylinder.  EDIT: I'm multitasking and didn't notice your last post. Options include keeping the tanks for future creative exchange after using them up. You may meet someone with an account who will let you run them through their business.Here's a list of parent companies and who they bought out which may be of help to cylinder hunters:http://www.bcofd14.com/Documents/COM...ASCYLSep03.docAirgas sells hose fittings along with very convenient screw on clamps that don't require a crimper. I use these at work and like them a lot. Just bring your hose and play matchup. You don't need new fittings if those are OK. Just cut off the bad hose with the fittings, then GENTLY grind off or cut off the brass outer ferrule until it no longer presses on the fitting. Pull out the fitting and reuse fitting and nut.If you get new fittings, use the cutoff old fittings+inch of hose for torch or regulator thread protectors. So it's an old one then? Is there any difference between an old torch and a new torch performance wise?
Reply:Awesome! Thanks for that info too farmall!And I haven't swapped the tanks just yet. I am going to see if there is anyone else that can fill/re-certify them not Airgas.  Maybe I can let all the air out and make wind chimes out of them or something. Sorry I am still bitter about the deal. I was excited that I found these old tanks and to just give them to Airgas  who are just going to sell for scrap, burns me up inside.
Reply:Take the welding regulators to a welding supply store and get them checked out.Why take a chance.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welderOriginally Posted by ranger225dont know. i like the old stuff cause it was made when o/a was king. no engine drives and fancy wire feeders in too many back yard shops in those days.not that todays stuff is no good. i have a book published in 1948 by linde called welding and cutting. has a chart with all of the cutting/ welding tips for purox,and oxweld torches and recommended pressures
Reply:Originally Posted by ranger225a good welding tip for your harrid 85 is a#9.it will handle 1/4 to about5/8inch,but it runs the gas down kinda quickly,also consider a rosebud tip if you gonna do lots of heating/bending.a bit pricey[88$ i paid] but save you gas cuase it will heat a large area faster than a cutting tip  will. j-63-1 and -2 fit ur harris.
Reply:I don't think there is a rosebud made small enough for that acetylene cylinder.
Reply:i had the same issue with a 320cubic ft. acetylene tank. brought it to hauns[big supplier around here] and it was listed as lost or stolen.never told them who i got it from.halincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17
Reply:That model 47 reg is not supposed to be hooked up to a std high pressure cylinder.  It looks like it is a station regulator intended for use on a oxygen piping system.  It looks like it came with the CGA 024 low pressure "C" size fitting.  Not sure what has been threaded into the "C" fitting, but it doesn't look like a standard oxygen fitting.
Reply:Thanks for the info. I'd never seen that CGA number before.Looks like the fitting for the manifold is still attached to the CGA fitting:http://www.concoa.com/cgachart.html
Reply:thats probably what it is, It might even have the CGA number on the adapter.  CGA has a gazillion fittings, liquid, gas, HP, MP, LP, flammable, the whole bit
Reply:It is interesting to find out what it is but I am not to sure what to do with it. Anyone need a paper weight?  Here are some more shots with that fitting removed.It says OXWELD CV-1 I picked up some RG-45 rod from tractor supply the other day and the copper coating is corroding. Is that going to be and issue? Should I take this rod back to the store?
Reply:And by the way you guys are good! I showed this regulator to the guy at Airgas when I was there and he said he didn't have a clue, but just don't use/ try it out because of the pressures.
Reply:It looks like there is a check valve in that adapter
Reply:I doubt that some discoloration on the copper makes any difference at all - the copper turns to slag or is vaporized during welding.  I believe that it is there to help prevent oxidation of the steel in the rod.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Just clean the filler rod with some light sandpaper before using.Lots of TIG weldors are in the habit of doing this with their filler (carbon, stainless, and aluminum) to get oxide and crud off and it certainly can't hurt.As for the paper weight, feel free to unscrew whatever sticks out (arrestor, guage) and throw the pile of parts in the flat rate box with the other stuff if it fits.  I don't know what I'll do with it either, but we are installing an oxygen manifold system at work later this year and it might be handy when we pressure test it.
Reply:Interesting thread on cleaning filler wire/rod:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...-filler-rods.&
Reply:OK good I can still use them, that place was a 30min drive. I picked up the Linde book 1947 edition http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...690#vi-contentFor $12 shipped I couldn't say no. Mark I will defiantly toss that regulator in if it fits. Hopefully you can put it to good use. No reason to let it sit un used taking up space.