acetylene oxygen torch regulator gauge question

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I recently bought my first torch (Radnor by Harris) for hobby use and the manual says to set the Oxygen to 1 - 9 PSI for welding but my Oxygen gauge is in 5 PSI increments.  The Acetylene is in 1 PSI but not the Oxygen.  I'm a little irritated because I guess my only option is to purchase a different gauge? Can you suggest a good place to purchase the gauge?Thanks! Attached Images
Reply:You can change the gauge, however usually if you cut with the torch, you will run higher O2 pressures, say up to 40 psi, and thats what they usually figure you will do. You can estimate between the marks and get a close approximation to what you need usually.If you are using a tiny torch and welding, you may want to change the gauge to one that reads 0-50psi or so. Be careful however, if you turn the reg over 50 psi, you will wreck the gauge. The reg will go to 150 psi regardless of the gauge.If you do decide to change the gauge, you need one designed for O2 service. You will see that marked right on the face of the one you have, USE NO OIL. I usually get those gauges from the LWS, but you can find them mail order. If it is a glycerin filled gauge or isn't marked for O2 service DO NOT USE IT! O2 and oils can cause a fire, and fires on tank regs are usually the definition of bad. Use just a bit of clean Teflon tape, being sure not to get any below the 2nd thread. You want to work with clean tools, clean hands and on a clean surface, making sure you don't get any contaminants in the reg when you do so..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:Thanks. I'll do my best to estimate the reading and adjust from there.
Reply:Where abouts in Pa are you at?.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:South Central PA.  Just south of Harrisburg.
Reply:When I was first taught oxy-acetylene, the gauges wre only meant to be used for a guideline, for whatever tip you are using you should set the the acetylene unitl the carbon wisps disappear from the flame and give the torch a hard shake if the flame separates from the tip excessively, now begin to add your O2 to neutral flame, and it should be ok...cutting w/acetylene same thing but you may need abit more oxygen if the cut is not being blown away right.You always want a bit of adjustment at your torch especially if you are a distance from the tanks.Gauges never were very important for setting the torches up.Also in this way if you have a leak, the gas is controlled and will only just burn regulated.My father has a propane tiger torch on the farm and somehow he lost his regulator and uses it direct to the tank, full pressure and controls it with the needle, and I advised him to be careful working indoors, a shed, garage because of this lack of control.Use only what you need.
Reply:Use that gauge, turn her up and spend the money on oxy and acty. Harold
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoonWhen I was first taught oxy-acetylene, the gauges wre only meant to be used for a guideline, for whatever tip you are using you should set the the acetylene unitl the carbon wisps disappear from the flame and give the torch a hard shake if the flame separates from the tip excessively, now begin to add your O2 to neutral flame, and it should be ok...cutting w/acetylene same thing but you may need abit more oxygen if the cut is not being blown away right.You always want a bit of adjustment at your torch especially if you are a distance from the tanks.Gauges never were very important for setting the torches up.Also in this way if you have a leak, the gas is controlled and will only just burn regulated.My father has a propane tiger torch on the farm and somehow he lost his regulator and uses it direct to the tank, full pressure and controls it with the needle, and I advised him to be careful working indoors, a shed, garage because of this lack of control.Use only what you need.
Reply:Gauges are relative? I'm trying to learn to gas weld aluminum and have read that the gauges are important because the flame is cooler with a lower PSI.  Ron Fornier, for example, suggests setting the Oxy and Acet to 4 PSI then adjust the torch to a neutral flame when welding aluminum.
Reply:An analog gauge is most acurate in the middle of it's range. Also going to a larger diameter gives you more  control for adjustment. A cheap gauge of course is most likely less acurate than a more expensive scientific grade unit.Example. a gauge 0-300 is less acurate in 1 or 2 psi increments than a 0-30 psi gauge. The down side being if you go over 30 psi you'll destroy the gauge.By the same token it's easier to make fine adjustments on a 0-300 psi gauge if it is 8" in diameter than 2". There's just more room between the marks. Large analog gauges are usually used where precision is key.Another posiblility is a digital gauge. I have an O2 clean Dwyer digital 0-5000 gauge thats acurate to less than 0.5 psi  over the full range, for gas mixing. But it will set you back over $200 minimum..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