What causes sharp pointed neutral flame?

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From time to time I get a very sharp pointed neutral flame rather than a rounded point. I've tried to add acytelene, but that just adds a feather.It doesn't melt metal very well.Anyone know what causes this? - Mike
Reply:A neutral flame is supposed to have a sharp point If it doesn't the tip needs cleaning
Reply:What did the rep from AIRGAS say ?if it's oxy-fuel then there need to be a point on the end of the flame.A dirty tips means a rounded tip.what School are you attending????????????
Reply:MhorowitIf you are finding a neutral flame then it will be sharp.  If you are having trouble melting then metal is dirty rusty, tip is too small for thickness of metal or your are holding the flame too close or too far from the metal.  The hottest part of the flame is at the tip of the inner cone.  Too much acetylene will foul your tips with soot, keep them clean with tip cleaners from your welding supply house.  You will know if you are too close because there will be a shadow where tip is hitting the metal, hence cold spot.An easy way to adjust the torch is to turn the acetylene on first, ignite it the add more acetylene until the flame jumps away from the torch, then reduce the acetylene until it reconnects with the torch tip. Finely add oxygen until you find the neutral flame.  I look at the inner cone to find a neutral flame, while you are adding oxygen the cone will go from fuzzy blue to sharp then to whitish, the sharp is what you want.  This is messy if you are working inside because the acetylene burning alone produces much soot.Last edited by tapwelder; 12-05-2005 at 02:21 PM.