Propane with Harris

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Since I don't have a big enough acetylene cyl for a rosebud, I want to use propane. I went to the Harris site and I found my torch, model 85, can be used with acetylene and Mapp. For propane cutting, it looks like I need to buy a different cutting attachment and tips, but I don't see anything for propane heating other than the cutting stuff. I know I can use a cutting tip for heating, but I'd rather have a rosebud type. My torch is a classic 85 and my cutting attachment is a 72.What do I need to get to do heating with propane with Harris?Also, I know I'll need a propane regulator, but what about the hoses?Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:I wasn't aware you actually need a different regulator just because of the propane. I never have.  Something else I'm not aware of might drive the need for a different reg. You do need to make sure that the hoses and regulators are all 'T' rated for LPG. Not that 'R' rated equipment will decomposed right before your very eyes as soon as you turn on the propane, it's just that they won't stand the test of time."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I use my propane Harris cutting head for heating. Works great.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:I have propane tips on my Smith oxy/acetylene cutting torch, with T grade hoses and a propane regulator.  This works fine for most heating and cutting but I agree, I would rather be using a rosebud tip instead of cutting head/tip for heating.  The rose bud spreads out the flame and heats a larger area, which is better for pre-heating, or bending a large section, than the concentrated heat zone using a cutting tip.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I looked through an old Harris catalog and found Propane equipment for other torch handles, including the 18-3,  the 43-2 and the 63-2, but it lists nothing for the 85.
Reply:To convert most acetylene regulators just requires a stronger spring.  The stronger spring allows the regulator to be turned up to the higher pressure required for propane.  These springs are generally available from your LWS."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Oh yeah, not generally recomended, but you can add a steel washer to the end of the spring where it seats to bring up the pressure by strengthening the spring, or rather by capturing its travel to a certain degree."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammTo convert most acetylene regulators just requires a stronger spring.  The stronger spring allows the regulator to be turned up to the higher pressure required for propane.  These springs are generally available from your LWS.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyWhat range of pressures are we talking about Sam?
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSome of the propane tips available from Flame Technologies (I'm using a Flame Tech #3 spot heating tip which runs at 25psi), can run as high as 50psi propane pressure.  Most will run at around 30psi though.  Bear in mind these are pretty large tips
Reply:If you convert an acetylene reg for propane with a stronger spring, remember you can now turn it up well beyond the limit of the usual low-side acetylene guages. The (downloadable from Thermadyne) Victor manual has a spring chart for reference.I change the low-side guage to a 100psi max part, which also lets me keep track of the regs I modified. I use the spring from the same series (in my case, Victor 450) oxygen regulator since I have organ donors. I modded mine because they were apart for rebuild anyway. I only have a couple of regs done this way, since stock acetylene pressures are adequate so far.
Reply:I won't dispute what Dessert said but if you just move the torch head a tiny bit, side to side, you get the same effect as a rosebud and don't have to spend the beer money on a torch head you just don't need. Just my opinion/experience. 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:I started out using a large cutting tip to heat, years ago.  I found that it didn't have the BTU's to do the job over a large area (anything larger than about 1/2"), and made it impossible to heat multiple spots for efficient shrinking or bending.I never did any O/A welding, so I don't know how welding tips behave.A small rosebud should be part of any cart setup if there's bending/shrinking in the future.Including a rosebud in your arsenal also leads to new applications for heat that you'll discover as you're using the large tip.That's been my experience anyhow"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:One of the reasons I was looking at propane was because the LWS wanted $180 plus my 75CF acetylene cyl to trade up to a "M" cyl. Today I found one on Craigslist along with a "H" oxygen cyl (250CF) for $200 and I get to keep my 75CF.Upon research I see that the "M" cyl can hold anywhere from 100 to about 150 CF, depending on the cyl. When I exchange it, how will I know the capacity of the new one? Or do I just figure my SCFH on the lower nunber, 100?Also, how can I safely manifold my two Acetylene cyls together?Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Anyone?Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Most of the tanks I get from swapping have a small sticky label on there where they ink in the actual fill amount. That's Airgas here and one independent LWS both. They probably both get their tanks filled at the same location."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by bigbAnyone?