Acyt or propane for cutting?? HELP!

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I am wondering whether to use acty or propane. All I have even used is acty. I'm AUS propane is way cheaper but what are the pros and cons? Can someone please help me!
Reply:I switched to propane couple years ago. Little slower for preheat, and you'll need different tips. But it does cut nice. The pictures of the 1-inch plate, that plate was left outside in the rain for a few days before I took the pictures. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Looks great! Would I only need new tips? I don't need a new torch? Can I continue to use my victor torch? Are you glad you switched? Has it been cheaper for you? Would you recommend it over acty?
Reply:I just switched to Propane for cutting.  I have a medium size victor torch. So far I think it cuts as good as acetylene, maybe a little better. I know the burn when I light up is cleaner.  I very seldom cut anything Over 3/4. I have found that you have to be a little more steady handed. Mac
Reply:I've used propane for cutting for about 10-12 years.  I like it - propane is easy to get and cheap.I have a Harris torch and only change the tips.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:You don't need a whole new torch, just propane tips. You shouldn't have any trouble finding propane tips for a Victor torch. Try it, you'll like it!
Reply:Slower preheat is sometimes not really so.If you've run acetylene all your career you have a tendancy to do the preheat WRONG with propane.  You don't have to hold the cutting tip as close to the steel with propane.  The hottest part of the flame is not in the blue cone like acetylene.It's given propane a bad name, and unfairly so.You'll also notice a different type of oxygen stream effect with propane.  It's gentler, and doesn't throw hot slag all over the place like acetylene tips.  Handy where there's fire danger present.  As yet I haven't had to use the propane in a situation where I need to extend a cut with the oxygen stream (say you're cutting a piece of steel, and can't follow the cut with the tip, and need to start the cut with the tip in one place, leave the tip where the cut started, and blow the cut along a long line........handy in demolition or where space is limited).  But I'm favorably impressed with the qualities of most propane cuts.The cost of acetylene is pushing it out of the cutting market in my opinion."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nobody mentioned needing 'grade T' hoses with oxy-fuels.  I changed over.  Is that an old wives tale?
Reply:Also remember that you will need fuel hoses rated for use with propane.The 'regular' acytylene-only hoses are the "R" or "RM" hoses.The 'any-fuel' hoses are the "T" hoses.The torch handle, mixer, and cutting attachment are usually usable with acetylene or other fuel gases, but as mentioned, you will need the propane cutting tip  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:I found the sweet spot for preheating is about 1/2-inch above the material.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I've always used Propane, reserving a small tank of Acetylene for brazing/welding processes.
Reply:I recently switched to oxy/propane.  I give it a thumbs up!  It cuts great and the pre-heat time does take longer. Like 2-3 seconds longer.  OMG, THAT'S TOO LONG!!!!  ....Not.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I use propane. If you are buying new hose, get grade "T". That said, I have been using my grade "R" for years, although not everyday. But I am not recommending you do this, I am just stating what I have done. When I need to replace my hoses, I will get grade "T"."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:Do I use a BBQ tank from Home Depot or go get a larger tank from the LWS?  Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by Klr49advDo I use a BBQ tank from Home Depot or go get a larger tank from the LWS?  Thanks
Reply:I'm using BBQ tanks...light, cheap and easy to swap.
Reply:Just use a 20lb bbq cylinder. I never really paid attention, because I might use the same cylinder for a heater or weed torch, but I am "guessing", you can get 2 to 3 large "K" cylinders of O2 with one bbq size propane. If anyone else has a more exact figure, please add. I don't really remember seeing that info 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:My bud cuts up scrap metal for a living with a large company. They recently blew up some hoses that were not " T " rated. They only use propane.I like propane because its cheap. It does burn more oxygen. There is also no draw rate so you can cut longer. I have cut so long with propane the bottle froze to the floor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Klr49advDo I use a BBQ tank from Home Depot or go get a larger tank from the LWS?  Thanks
Reply:I am a big fan of propane in the field / natural gas in plant easier starts, no soot bats, no loud popping when you have a little metal blow back or over load the tip. I have used both and just two weeks ago made the switch to propane on my truck.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:So "T" grade hoses are a must when using propane? Or can you use your normal acty hoses but will just chew them up and damage them or what? Can they not hold as much pressure?
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoYou can use the little pig, if you like.   I have a Ranger pickup with a cap that is the same height as the cab roof so I bought a 70# tank from my LWS.  It is the largest I can stand upright in the bed under the cap.  I have had it for a year now and it's still at least half full.Inspection on the cylinder is good for twelve years.  As I own it I will need to pay for inspection when due.  The counter man said the price of a new cylinder is about the same as the inspection fee so I figure in 2023 I'll slice it into a BBQ cooker and buy a new tank.  But I'll be 71 by then and may not even be doing metal work, if I am working at all!- Mondo
Reply:i believe the propane gas degrades the hose at faster rate than acytelene (sp).    i'm like stick-man, though.  i've used regular hose with propane for some time.  when i buy new hose it will ne t-grade.  not saying this is right, just what i use.
Reply:What do you set the gauge at?
Reply:Originally Posted by redheadWhat do you set the gauge at?OK, so, O/A or Propane s. plasma. Any thoughts?
Reply:Plasma is a different tool dedicated to cutting/gauging only. Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2Bobcat 22512VSCST-280Millermatic 211Hypertherm Powemax 1000Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesOK, so, O/A or Propane s. plasma. Any thoughts?
Reply:I guess O/A is the jack of all trades:  cut, heat, weld.  Plasma is great for cutting., but it's a one trick pony.   Just does that very, very well and it's quick.Oxy/propane is great for heating and cutting, but not welding.Of the three, only O/A can weld (AFAIK) but it doesn't look like O/A welding is used much any more, there are better (quicker, easier, cheaper) ways.