can anyone give me some basic information about gas welding like what should the flame be/sound like can i use coat hangers etc any info would help thanx

 

It is far too dangerous to just start playing around with a torch. Get yourself a book on welding from your local library or buy one from Home Depot etc. There are some nice general manuals out there like:

Welder's Handbook, by Richard Finch

This book can be found at most Home store tool or literature areas.

 

I sure am glad nobody told me that before I started using the one my neighbor gave me!!

Forrest

 

There are all kinds of little safety tips and hazards associated with using gas welding equipment. It is best to get a book and read about it b4 you mess with the equipment and get youself or others injured or killed.

THINK SAFETY!!!

With welding equipment what you don't know CAN hurt you!

 

One thing to add. If your going to try gas welding, don't bother with coathangers. The steel used to make coathangers is only intended for one purpose, hanging coats.

The real reason. Coathanger steel is very low purity, your welds won't be as strong as they can be using welding rod. Not to mention the nylon armor to prevent rust adding more garbage to the weld. Welding rod only costs a buck or so for a three foot length. Some people swear by coathangers, but I won't bother with them unless it was an emergency.

As Eric said, get a book and read it a few times before starting. Gas welding is much harder to get used to compared to running a MIG. On top of all this, you have a 2500 degree open flame going, with the goggles on, you'll never see it setting things on fire, especially if your under a car trying to do exaust.

A book will show you the differences between a correctly set neutral flame, a carburizing flame(too much acetylene) and an oxidizing flame(too much oxygen). It would be a little hard to explain these differences without some pics to look at.

As far as setting the regulators, set the oxygen around 5-8psi, and the acetylene around 5-6psi. This would be a good starting point for light sheetmetal work. Anymore pressure than needed to melt the parent metals will create turbulance in the mixer(part the tip screws into) and you have a better chance of blowing out a kerf.(like cutting) Start with a #2 tip for sheetmetal. Goggle shade should be #9, a lower number(lighter shade) is OK during sunny days.

That's about it, have fun.

Jared

 

I have a question I already have a acetylene tank and torch, how hard/expensive would in be to add an oxygen tank to it so I will be able to weld with it?

 

Most Community Colleges offer an evening welding class. TAKE IT! Nothing like real hands on with a qualified instructor there to teach you. Its pretty reasonable too. The one in my area is like 50 bucks. Or if your local high school has an auto shop program you may be able to get some on the side instruction for the mere donation of an old engine you have laying around for the kids to work on. Just a thought.....