Oxy/Acy tanks

admin

I'm looking to buy a torch outfit and tank setup.  I have used welding equipment and off and on for about 7 years and about a years use of torches.  Out of that only 1 year professionally.So its kind of sad to say, but the easiest part about looking and figuring out what the best solution and setup for me is the actual use of the torch.I previously worked as an ornamental fabricator, we did railings/gates/custom/residential/production and then a little artsy stuff on the side.  During that time I learned to use the Oxy/Acy torch and it was a blast.  We rarely used to the torch for cutting (had plasma cutters and bandsaws/coldsaws for cutting).  I am now in school and trying to supplement some sort of income, the idea of flipping burgers isn't attractive...been there done that.I would classify my use as "hobby" enthusiast, I won't be running tools and the torch for 8hrs all day every day.  However, when I was at airgas the largest size tanks that they will sale seemed small.  Again I was used to relying on these tools so our tanks were huge, and we had at least 15 tanks of oxy and acy in the shop anytime we needed to swap out.  With that in mind and the fact that there were about 5 other guys sharing the torch, its really hard for me to guage what size tanks I need for myself.Im sure yall know, but I can buy a #3 acy tank roughly 75 CF and an M oxy tank 125 CF any size bigger than that and they told me I have to lease and they have to run a credit check (pretty sure I don't have any credit).  Each tank is about $200.  I feel that I can probably get 2-3 tanks of oxy per each acy tank.   Anyone have a ball park window, as broad as it may be, of hour usage for these tanks if you were to run it non stop???  This may help too, im taking 17 hrs at Auburn University just to give you an idea of how much time I can actually put in runnig the torch.I'll be dealing with thin guage sheet metal, won't be bending 1" material.  1/2" is probably the thickest, but normal use will be with sheet metal (candlesticks, picture frames, garden art).  And for the most part, using the rose bud heating head.sorry for an elementary question, but I'm at the point where I am ready to buy and just need a little help in figuring out a ball park of hr usage out of those size tanks. If they're too small I need to look for some larger tanks to buy from someone and just use those for exchange at air gas.  The counter clerk said that there shouldn't be any problem with me buying used tanks from someone, that if they're within the 10 yr period of certification they just exchange bottles with me and if its out of date, I pay a re-certification fee and exchange bottles and the bottles I bring in just become part of the circulation of bottles at airgas.Patrick
Reply:I would recommend buying the largest bottle you can afford. Less trips to exchange and probably less expensive per cf in larger bottle. Not sure on that last part.  Rose buds are high demand meaning they use a lot of gas. I think you will probably get closer to the 1:1 act/o2 with a heating tip. With a heating tip you need to turn the delivery pressure up on the actylene, thus the greater usage.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:Well I can afford the largest tanks they sale(have to lease the bigger sizes), I'm just curious if that size is sufficient for my amount of use.  I know there are a few variables in that equation, but I'm just looking for someone with more experience than me that can give me a ballpark even if very broad on Hour usage of using a #3 75 CF acy tank and M 125 CF oxy tank since it sounds like the bottle ratio is closer to 1:1 while using the rose bud.  They told me the bigger size bottles require a lease.These are the sizes I can buy #3 acy tank roughly 75 CF  M oxy tank 125 CF thank you for the reality check on the ratio b/t tanks while using the rose bud, I would have been severly suprised.Patrick
Reply:With acetylene it's not the amount you use but how you use it.Remember the 1/7th rule (now 1/10th).  You can't withdraw more than 1/7th of the bottle capacity per hour.  Unless you go with the larger bottles (150+), you rule out the use of a rosebud or even a larger cutting torch.  Even some of the larger welding tips will exceed the flow rate on the smaller bottles.If you plan to use a rosebud, then you need to look at leasing a larger acetylene cylinder.With Oxygen, if you use a cutting torch much at all, you'll get pretty tired running to the LWS to get a 125 filled.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Think about propane and oxygen, propane lasts a long time.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIWith acetylene it's not the amount you use but how you use it.Remember the 1/7th rule (now 1/10th).  You can't withdraw more than 1/7th of the bottle capacity per hour.  Unless you go with the larger bottles (150+), you rule out the use of a rosebud or even a larger cutting torch.  Even some of the larger welding tips will exceed the flow rate on the smaller bottles.If you plan to use a rosebud, then you need to look at leasing a larger acetylene cylinder.With Oxygen, if you use a cutting torch much at all, you'll get pretty tired running to the LWS to get a 125 filled.
Reply:yer probably going to have to flip burgers just to afford the HobbyEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:If you want a LARGE rosebud, consider a propane weed burner or similar for that job. Another alternative is to use an adapter hose that runs a conventional propane torch off a BBQ tank. That will save oxygen for cutting use only.If you can save on gas expense by using different, inexpensive tools for different jobs it's to your advantage.Even some of the larger welding tips will exceed the flow rate on the smaller bottles.
Reply:I have a set of 75 cf acet and 100 cf O2. It's plenty for small occasional use with a small rosebud and the cutting torch. However when it comes to doing a lot of cutting, like when we have a demo job, I just grab the big 282 cf O2 bottle and the propane, or rent an large acet cylinder for that job. I do enough business with the LWS that they don't really charge me a "rental" or lease on the cylinder as long as I have it back in a day or so. I do have an account so if I don't bring it back they'll ding me then.As far as how long the gas lasts, I can't really give you much of and estimate in hours. Usually we're doing a lot of other stuff at the same time besides cutting or heating. Usually we are bending something back thats gotten all bent up, or chopping off old rusty parts and then replacing them. I honestly have no idea how much gas I used today torching off the 40 or so blade bolts on the plows, heating and bending back the F'd up A arm and cutting new pieces, but we still had Oxy and acet in the small tanks when we were done..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you have a Tractor Supply around they will sell you the large bottles but they are a little pricey.  Where I live  they get $330 for a  145 cf acetelyene tank  and around  $360 for a 250 cf oxygen tank. Refills on the acetelyne is around $75  and the oxygen is around $35