Oxy-Fuel Cutting

admin

When setting up an oxy-acetylene torch, the recommended procedure is to only open the acetylene cylinder a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and the oxygen cylinder open all the way. What about other fuel cylinders like propane, "MAPP" and propylene? I believe oxygen is to be opened all the way due to the fact that the oxygen can leak past the valve if not fully open or closed.Cracking fuel cylinders a recommended practice?Also do all fuel cylinders have fusible plugs built into them? (even a BBQ propane tank?) and do all oxygen cylinders have a bursting disk?Thanks
Reply:No one?
Reply:I use propane and I only open (any) fuel cylinders partially. This is so in an emergency, should I have the nads to go and shut off the fuel, I can shut it off quickly!Yes, the oxy valve is prone to leakage if it is not fully opened."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:Originally Posted by Liquid_Pyro...and do all oxygen cylinders have a bursting disk?
Reply:Not to state the obvious. When opening a cylinder full open, I always turn it back a little... so nobody comes along later and attempts to "open" an already open cylinder  This prevents valve damage.
Reply:What about propane cylinders, should they be open all the way? I know acetylene is only a 1/4 turn, but I dont know if that applies to all types of fuel....
Reply:I have a corollary to the previous statement by Liquid_Pyro - Should Propane cylinders be fully open when using a torch or a roofing torch that isnt necessarily using oxy.  A roofing friend stated that they were having to open the valve fully open in order to use there torches cause of freezing and flow restrictions. Iam of a welding background and know the rule of thumb just crack the fuel bottle/oxy full open and this is because of safety in an emergency, but Propane is a different gas than Acetylene?  I still think his way is wrong and I even practice the standard rule even using the BBQ, I am wrong?
Reply:If you get enough flow for your application, then there is clearly no problem with not opening LP valves all the way. I don't open mine fully either but I'm not running monster rosebuds or anything requiring lots of flow.