acetylene

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For some reason Praxair cant get us no acetylene for a while here in NE PA, I dont really know why I have heard a rumor that a plant blew up somewhere. I cant find any information about it and was wondering if anyone else heard anything like that.Ive been doin most of what I got to do with the jet arc, and for the stuff we have to cut to size we have a big plasma cutter for it.  They just got this thing a few weeks ago. Im gonna have to learn how to use it, I never had one to use before so this should be intresting
Reply:Don't know about the acetylene but it seems like every week or so there is a new shortage of something. Went to get some oil to change in my truck and Walmart was completely sold out of all the diesel oil except for a few quarts of synthetic.  Went to the auto parts store and they were completely out of the brand that I like to use (Motorcraft 15W40).  Found some at another parts store at an inflated price.  Might have to invest in a 55 gallon drum when I can find it.Miller 350 DynastyMiller TrailblazerMiller 625 Plasma Lincoln Power MIGVictor oxy/acetyleneHyperthem 85
Reply:Apparently there was an explosion at a carbide plant (the only on in US?) in Kentucky last March.https://bakersgas.com/blogs/weld-my-...ylene-shortageThis past March, a chemical plant located in Kentucky exploded. The Carbide Industries, LLC plant supplied welders across the nation with acetylene gas, a gas commonly used in welding due to the fact it is easy to use and is very hot, making it easy to bend and heat metal. The explosion has caused production to cease and a nationwide shortage is putting the squeeze on welders who use acetylene gas in their welding processes.Suppliers across the nation are beginning to ration the supply of acetylene. While not all suppliers are rationing as of yet, many are restricting access to only existing customers. The suppliers will refill a cylinder of the gas if the supplier's name is on the cylinder, but they will not refill a cylinder that has any other name. Welders are not being able to buy additional cylinders to stock up on the gas either. And if the supplier a welder normally uses has run out of the gas, they cannot go to another supplier and buy it.
Reply:

Originally Posted by cwby

Apparently there was an explosion at a carbide plant (the only on in US?) in Kentucky last March.https://bakersgas.com/blogs/weld-my-...ylene-shortageThis past March, a chemical plant located in Kentucky exploded. The Carbide Industries, LLC plant supplied welders across the nation with acetylene gas, a gas commonly used in welding due to the fact it is easy to use and is very hot, making it easy to bend and heat metal. The explosion has caused production to cease and a nationwide shortage is putting the squeeze on welders who use acetylene gas in their welding processes.Suppliers across the nation are beginning to ration the supply of acetylene. While not all suppliers are rationing as of yet, many are restricting access to only existing customers. The suppliers will refill a cylinder of the gas if the supplier's name is on the cylinder, but they will not refill a cylinder that has any other name. Welders are not being able to buy additional cylinders to stock up on the gas either. And if the supplier a welder normally uses has run out of the gas, they cannot go to another supplier and buy it.
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Originally Posted by old miner called Pop

Ok Its intresting that its taken until now for it to cause a problem though. They did a good job of keeping it quiet too. There is another plant owned by the same company, Carbide Industries in Oklahoma, its smaller though, and 2 small plants in Louisianna
Reply:Pop.  I should have taken a few pics this week.  Every once in a while gravity pulls me back to the torch and even used it just a little to get some practice.  I dont have a table, I hand cut plasma.  I should learn a bit more bout it, tip size etc but the cutter keeps my bottles full.   I make up a couple templates for common stuff and yardstick guides. If you got the power some bevels even easier, no cost idle time, instant super cut.  Sometimes you need heat but for so much routine cutting a plaz is a whiz. Trim to fit work it earns its place. Cutting bolt holes.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I thought acetylene was produced for welding purposes by acetone absorbed into a foam substance in the tank? The diesel oil situation sucks, I always try to keep one full change of Rotella T6 5w-40 on the shelf, I'm currently sitting at approximately one gallon, Truck takes 2 1/2 gallons, I'm only about a thousand miles into my last oil change.LET'S GO BRANDON!NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Reply:Haven't had to change out the acetylene tank yet, my plasma has also reduced it's use considerably. I can't imagine this is going to help the price either.  Good luck with the oil too. The last big barrel I ordered took 2 months to get here, and was over $1,000 Cdn. for non-synthetic 5-30 for gas engines.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
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Originally Posted by Sberry

Pop.  I should have taken a few pics this week.  Every once in a while gravity pulls me back to the torch and even used it just a little to get some practice.  I dont have a table, I hand cut plasma.  I should learn a bit more bout it, tip size etc but the cutter keeps my bottles full.   I make up a couple templates for common stuff and yardstick guides. If you got the power some bevels even easier, no cost idle time, instant super cut.  Sometimes you need heat but for so much routine cutting a plaz is a whiz. Trim to fit work it earns its place. Cutting bolt holes.
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Originally Posted by CAVEMANN

I thought acetylene was produced for welding purposes by acetone absorbed into a foam substance in the tank? The diesel oil situation sucks, I always try to keep one full change of Rotella T6 5w-40 on the shelf, I'm currently sitting at approximately one gallon, Truck takes 2 1/2 gallons, I'm only about a thousand miles into my last oil change.
Reply:I would be surprised if Praxair is using carbide generated acetylene. Most of it is chemical acetylene(petro chemical industry product)It's far more likely that they don't have steel to put it in.
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Originally Posted by Kelvin

Seems like those aceytlene plants are blowing up on a weekly basis...didn't a big one blow up or burn down a few years back?
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Originally Posted by vwguy3

I would be surprised if Praxair is using carbide generated acetylene. Most of it is chemical acetylene(petro chemical industry product)It's far more likely that they don't have steel to put it in.
Reply:The biggest oil refinery on the east coast blew up, a couple of years ago, and I'm pretty sure there was never any plans to rebuild. Then another one blew up a month ago or so in Texas. I don't think the problems with oil is going to get better any time too soon.Airco Auto-Pak 130Forney 235AC/DC
Reply:I think carbide generators are illegal under OSHA now, I may be wrong but don't think I am. The absorbed acetone method was adopted to keep the product stable, raw acetylen will explode at about 15PSI. I checke several stores in the Phoenix area today, there was a very, very limited quantity of off branded diesel oil, none was full synthetic and none was the required viscosity.LET'S GO BRANDON!NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINEGOD HELP AMERICA!"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Reply:I know time is $$$ ,, but, if push comes to shove,,oxy-propane is a great alternative to acetylene, I actually prefer it now.Pre-heat takes slightly longer, keeping the cut going takes a slightly more stable hand,, but, IMHO, the cut is cleaner with propane.Swap the tip, hook up the propane tank from your grill, and cut.Yinz guys that weld all the time have a steady hand,, anyways.  


Reply:My brother had switched to propane. Every time he used my torch he said he was going to switch back. Maybe not now...The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
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Originally Posted by CAVEMANN

I think carbide generators are illegal under OSHA now, I may be wrong but don't think I am. The absorbed acetone method was adopted to keep the product stable, raw acetylen will explode at about 15PSI. I checke several stores in the Phoenix area today, there was a very, very limited quantity of off branded diesel oil, none was full synthetic and none was the required viscosity.
Reply:If just using for cutting by tip for propane and take your BBQ bottle and start cutting  again. My self a own one tank and can goto different supplier. Dave

Originally Posted by old miner called Pop

I didnt know there was different ways to make acetylene. By not having steel to put it in I guess you mean the bottles?