hi, please help me identify what are we doing wrong?

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Hello,I'm alex, I'm not a welder, I'm just hoping to get some advise from experienced professionals, if you'd be so kind.I'm a plant manager for a small company, our mechanic has among his tools a oxy-acetylene torch. he just brought me his torch telling me it's broken and needs to be replaced. it's the second time in 3 years he broke a torch. I'm guessing he is using it terribly wrong, or something. the torch is a victor 315C. the top part says "model CA35, listed cutt. attach. 8f39". as you can see in the pic the attachment is completely burned. in fact the picture might not do justice, it's actually carbon black.Now, as I mentioned, I'm not a welder, and I don't necessarily blame my mechanic who has never gotten any formal training. (I should mention that the torch is used only occasionally, when repairing a machine, usually for cutting steel plate). is actually pretty good with stick welding, for what it's worth...what I'd like to know is what do you think is likely to have killed this torch? is there a simple advice I can follow to prevent this from happening again? (keeping in mind I don't espect my mechanic to go for welding training...) is the attachment matched to the main part? is there a more forgiving attachment I should be using? or is this sort of a normal thing?thank you very much for your help!
Reply:studiosoIn the second photo there appears to be divots in the left side of both tubes.  Clean them up and examine closely - they look like near burnt-throughs.On this model the head tubes detach just above the Oxygen valve body - left side.I'd replace the top tube assembly, and not allow your mechanic to even 'light his own wind' until he has had proper/extensive training.Torches are life time tools - I have two forty yearold Victors in daily use  - and they look new.Opus
Reply:Your mechanic obviously doesn't know what he's doing. If the thing isn't completely cooked, get him a new tip for it. Tell him not to just stuff the tip in to get a cut and don't poke it close into corners. You, as a good manager, need to know some of the basics about processes.  You don't need a steady hand or the ability to do this dirty job all day long.  But you do need to know the principles that make it work safely and efficiently if you want to be a superior manager.Edit:  In addition, it looks like he may be banging on things, using the torch as a hammer. To remove metal that he didn't cut properly. Look at a picture of a new tip compared to that. And what's with the bite marks for pliers on the tip? So much heat distortion that he has to do that?  Unqualified. A danger to himself and anyone around him.Last edited by Oldendum; 10-27-2015 at 05:48 PM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROTorches are life time tools - I have two forty yearold Victors in daily use  - and they look new.
Reply:thank you for all your advice... Hm. I wonder if new welding tips come with instructions...
Reply:You can send the "torch" out to be rebuilt. In this case the whole torch doesn't have to go out, only the top cutting attachment, though sending it all out to be checked wouldn't hurt seeing the abuse that one has had.One of the Members here OAdoctor does quality work. A number of members have had torches and regs rebuilt by him. You can see some of his work in this thread. His contact info is in his sig line at the bottom of his posts. You might list your location. Maybe some one here close to you might be willing to come over for a small fee and show your mechanic how he's supposed to be using a torch.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ck!&highlight=You can also usually send torches out thru your local welding supplier as well..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:Yeah a torch is a lifetime tool that should outlast you, without training or common sense he's a danger to himself and others. I'd hate to see some one get hurt because of something stupid like this.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Reading Irish Fix it torch thread might be a good start.
Reply:DSW beat me to it: I sent a torch handle and cutting attachment to OADoctor at www.regulatortorchrepair.com and was very happy with the results. They do good work for a good price. If your guy is that unfamiliar with handling a torch, you may get lucky and find you only need a new cutting tip: the holes can get plugged up and if he doesn't know to look for it then that may be why the torch is "broken".
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPBut all it takes is one moron who thinks a torch makes a good hammer.
Reply:I bought a new set ten years ago, I wanted to upgrade. My old set, 45 years old is still in use, a friend has them.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:The Airgas manager sent one for repair. It was very bent, the service man took the trouble to get it straightened perfect. The owner was upset. He bent it to cut off exhaust pipes.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I do believe I'd replace that tip and try it again, before I sent anything off anywhere.  The blackening on the head isn't hurting anything.  Test the connections with soapy water, specifically including around the nut that holds the new tip in, each of the valves, and where the cutting attachment seals to the handle.  You will want to get a new tip nut if the current one won't seal the tip to the attachment.  Take the handle loose from the cutting attachment and look at the o-rings - they may need replacing if worn or charred and many LWS keep them in stock.  Have somebody else who's qualified use the torch with a new tip and see whether there's really anything wrong with it.Talk to your guy about how he's storing the torch - the tip should not be rounded at the end like that.  Either he's dragging it on the steel (a no-no) or he's storing it improperly and it's banging into things.  Also get a tip cleaner for him - your LWS should have one if you lost the one that the torch would have come with originally.  Agree that he should be reminded that a torch is not a hammer and should not be contacting anything except his hands.  Also, if it's popping and carrying on while he's heating or cutting something he's overheating the tip and needs to get some more distance between the torch and the material.
Reply:Thank you all for your input, it's nice to see people taking the time to share their expertise with complete strangers...I will definitely get in touch with OAdoctor, if I don't find a closer qualified technician. I'm in montreal, Canada, and we have a shipping address in NJ as well.I was reminded that it's not just the mechanic that uses the torch: we are a plastic extrusion plant, and sometimes the machine operators "borrow" the torch to burn off plastic leaks from machine parts. and they certainly are not emotionally attached to the tools, to put it nicely.
Reply:When you say you don't expect him to get training, does that mean you're willing to send him, if he wanted it? It could be me, but if I get a chance at a school, I'm there. It seems to me with flammables around, it's worth it to get at least some. Is your lws willing to send a salesman out to spend some time with him, even just a day, or two? In my admittedly limited experience, the place I rent my tanks from is always willing to helpFlat-belt driven is beautiful
Reply:Originally Posted by studiososometimes the machine operators "borrow" the torch to burn off plastic leaks from machine parts. and they certainly are not emotionally attached to the tools, to put it nicely.
Reply:at the very least purchase a new tip,a torch wrench (NO PLIERS) and some tip cleaners. if you really want to go hog wild and splurge get him some basic cutting/heating instruction. your worker's comp carrier will appreciate it.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:http://www.weldingvideos.com/torchcutting.html
Reply:No way would I let "machine operators" borrow maintenance tools! Get some quick disconnect fittings for the torch and hoses and tell your mechanic to keep the torch in his toolbox. Get him some tip cleaners and under no circumstances let him use the torch as a hammer.