Very scarey

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A while back I was using my O/A cutting torch (an older Harris) and it back fired. I don't mean a small pop at the tip I mean a big back fire that I felt inside the handle that blew out black soot all over the place. What should I do? should I replace it or have it rebuilt? I don't have any welding tips or any thing else for it just the cutting head. I've been looking at a Forney setup at a local hardware and I'm wondering about the quality? I also have an older Smith with no welding tips but I don't know anything about it. If I decide to go visit the next county I prefer to drive my self and I don't want a free ride compliments of Harris.
Reply:Check out where the tip seats into the cutting head for nicks or a bad seating surface. If it kooks good try turning the tip some and tighten then loosen it then retighten and try it again. I had one do this the other day & it cured the popping.Might also want to try a new tip.
Reply:Do you have the safety check valves installed at the torch ? It's a great safety feature, and I still usually purge my lines after use and at the next use. I knew of someone that had a hose explode when they lit up. Never light the torch with the hose between your legs.
Reply:Probably a dumb question but what are check valves. I don't mind asking a dumb question if it will keep me alive and uninjured. Where can I get some? do they go between the hoses and torch head?
Reply:Originally Posted by AR. HillbillyProbably a dumb question but what are check valves. I don't mind asking a dumb question if it will keep me alive and uninjured. Where can I get some? do they go between the hoses and torch head?
Reply:Torch mounted flashback arrestors.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...Fa47MgodcDMAwgThere are also regulator mounted ones.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Flashback arrestorhttp://weldingdesign.com/gases/news/gwd_11305Read the entire article above.  What your torch did is called "sustained backfire" and is explained therein.Last edited by walkerweld; 10-20-2013 at 10:43 AM.Reason: content
Reply:Where can I send these torches for a rebuild? I refuse to use the Harris again until a professional looks it over and I don't know anything about the Smith so I'd like it looked over also. These are old and I've had them since the mid 90's and they were used then.
Reply:Do you have a local welder store that can do it?Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Adding to what others said, there is good information in the safety forum.  See Here!  After reading this, I got regulator mount flashback arrestors from Cyberweld.   Probably shoulda got the torch mounted ones instead.Tim
Reply:Definitely take the time to watch this. e=player_embeddedMM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/ is run by member OADocter. I have had good dealings with him along with many others here.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:tagged
Reply:Good vid Duane. Where do you prefer yours, torch or reg?I know some (or one) pro here that says F 'em, unless the job requires them! I prefer at the regs, because if a fire ball drops on the hose, I don't want it getting to the cylinders. Educate me please......."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Having flashback arrestors on the torch keeps a flashback from entering the hoses. Flashback arrestors on the regulators will not prevent the flashback from entering the hoses.So, if you have flash arrestors on the torch, and a big fireball or meteor hits your hoses, the torch mounted flashback arrestors will not stop any flashback that may occur, from entering the regulators.Because it is important to stop a flashback from entering either the hoses or the regulators, and because different types of events can cause flashbacks to occur from different causes at different places.............to be as "prepared" as possible.....have them at the torch AND at the regulator.  But as the video points out, check with the manufacturer of the equipment to make sure the items you choose are not gonna cause any restrictions.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manGood vid Duane. Where do you prefer yours, torch or reg?I know some (or one) pro here that says F 'em, unless the job requires them! I prefer at the regs, because if a fire ball drops on the hose, I don't want it getting to the cylinders. Educate me please.......
Reply:Thanks for posting that video Duane.Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:[QUOTE=duaneb55;3192951]Definitely take the time to watch this.Hi Duane,  Could you edit your post here?  That has a link to that video (thanks a lot for posting it), but I had to copy and paste it in the browser to get it work.   I posted a link to the Flashback thread, but had forgotten that the video there didn't automagically come up.  Unless I'm missing something, which is quite possible.)  THANKS!Tim
Reply:Tim, That link in zap's thread got "reconfigured" as part of the recent site upgrade and it's too old for me to be able to edit it but it's the same one as in post #11 above.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by pin2hotHi Duane,  Could you edit your post here?  That has a link to that video (thanks a lot for posting it), but I had to copy and paste it in the browser to get it work.   I posted a link to the Flashback thread, but had forgotten that the video there didn't automatically come up.  Unless I'm missing something, which is quite possible.)  THANKS!
Reply:Cool but it doesn't work on my end.  Says the uploader closed their Youtube account.  ???MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Hmm... I don't know. Neither the one I posted or the one you did here work now for what ever reason. Shame..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:When I first picked up the company torch, I thought I was gonna die. The thing coughed and sputtered and caught fire...  We took it to the local welding supply who held the torch and regulators for a torch expert to rebuild. In our case the torch tech came around every so often. It took a couple weeks for him to get to it, but it ran smooth after that!  Check valves are one thing, but flashback arrestors are what save us from the mushroom cloud. What everyone else said, run both types of arrestors if possible.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHmm... I don't know. Neither the one I posted or the one you did here work now for what ever reason. Shame.
Reply:Video won't download from Victor's website either. http://victortechnologies.com/index....&categoryID=24MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!I'm looking at a Forney that's Victor compatible. It says made in China. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience good or bad?
Reply:I forgot about Zap's mishap. Does it help that I use Smith and their mix the gasses in the tip, not the torch?I do know that my two HD Smith's, the one's like Tozzi has, has a built in arrestor in the head."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"