Victor tip & torch care/rebuild

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I have just set up my oxy/acetylene rig... I'm a newbie to it, though I have lots of time behind torches doing plumbing and glassblowing. I've had my share of flashbacks and leaks, I'm pretty cautious with these things.I bought a bunch of used Victor 100 & 300 torches & tips. Many of the tips are brand new, but some of the used ones have soot on the nipple/connection fitting. Some are old enough that the o-rings are hard. I'll probably change most/all of them for new.I needed to do a rush job the other day with a cutting head, and the o-rings were so bad on that head that I peeled them off and swapped them with o-rings from a good tip. Worked fine.Questions:Is that soot a definite mark of a flashback, or are there other explanations?When I look at a schematic for the torches, it doesn't break out any o-rings, only the entire valve assembly. Are there o-rings or other parts in the torches that can/should be replaced periodically?I notice oxygen-safe lubricants out there: do people use those generally (to lube tip o-rings or threads, for example), or would it only be for rebuilding torches?Miller XMT304 CC/CVBernard TIG coolerSSC foot pedal"It's a poor craftsman who blames his tewls toles TOOLS" (!^$#% keyboard)
Reply:Victor o-ring part numbers are 1407-0176 and 1407-0175. Should be available at your LWS for about a buck a piece at most. Soot on the backside of the tip is pretty normal. Acetylene is a dirty gas. Sent from myWhy buy it for $10 when you can build it yourself for $100.
Reply:Thanks. I'll call my LWS tomorrow.Miller XMT304 CC/CVBernard TIG coolerSSC foot pedal"It's a poor craftsman who blames his tewls toles TOOLS" (!^$#% keyboard)
Reply:keithwinsI'd start by sourcing a book or manual - the WEB has info, but a hand-held reference stores better.Start by replacing all of the rubber on the torch.  This includes the high pressure [cutting lever] valve seat. There are a lot of Don't with a torch:No lubricants of any kind - are the only safe kind.  If something doesn't turn easily - it is probably trashed. Don't tighten a tip like you would tighten a regulator.  When new, a tip will seat by hand - they only require a finger snug.[This is also applies to bottle-jacks].Don't over tighten the valves.  A good quality torch is a lifetime tool.  If in good condition - finger tight is adequate.The valves should turn with just a whiff of resistance, but not turn if incidentally bumped.  This tension is dialed-in with the gland-nut under the knob.Don't drop a tip - it can ding the seats.  This results in gas leakage 'under the ring nut' and possible flash-back.  If the tip goes: pop-pop-pop in-time, it means pre-ignition [internal].  Either the tip seat is dinged, or the tip is loose.  Examine the seats for damage, don't try to seal a leak on a tip with a bad seat by over tighten the ring nut.Don't polish tips with a power wire brush, it will ruin the seat surfaces, and elongate the orifice exists - this destroys the flame profile.Don't use tip cleaners like a file - but to gentilly knock out the soot, and the occasional dross particulate.  Take your time and start with a small enough rasp that will not jam in the orifice, then work large as needed.  It is common for beginners to jam and break rasps in an orifice - and that hole is done.When attaching hoses use two box end wrenches - one on the hose couple and the other on the flats of Ox and Acet valves.  This will prevent the valves from rotating in the torch-butt.  The threads on the valves are indexed to tighten in specific positions.  Over rotation trashes the ergonomics of torch-butt. These are just a few considerations to scare you into finding a good OA manual or book.  For operations, you should absorb the reference.Opus.Last edited by OPUS FERRO; 05-12-2014 at 11:47 PM.Reason: To many withs.
Reply:Great set of suggestions, thanks. Very elegant.Miller XMT304 CC/CVBernard TIG coolerSSC foot pedal"It's a poor craftsman who blames his tewls toles TOOLS" (!^$#% keyboard)
Reply:Lots of good info from Opus. When you stop at your LWS, see if they have an extra book that comes with a victor torch outfit. If not, PM me your address and I'll send you one. It has all the info you will need to learn to use a OA set up safely and correctly. Also you can get a parts breakdown with part numbers for any victor torch at Victortechnologies.com.Sent from myWhy buy it for $10 when you can build it yourself for $100.