Torch Question....Propane?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: North Central Iowa
Torch Question....Propane?
Watching a TV show on Sunday about an artist who makes stuff out of old engine parts. Noticed his brazing outfit used oxygen and propane...the propane tank was the type you would have on your gas grill.
Have always wanted a cutting torch but don't use it enough to justify the $400 tank deposit on the acetylene tank that our local supplier charges. How does this propane setup work?
Have always wanted a cutting torch but don't use it enough to justify the $400 tank deposit on the acetylene tank that our local supplier charges. How does this propane setup work?
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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Propane??
The Regulator Can Be The Same But The Tip Is Different Much Larger Ports, It Will Burn Hotter And You Won't Get A Very Clean Cut As Oppsed To The Acytelene. The Acytelene Cuts A Nice Clean Piece You Can Almost Split Hairs With It LOL But For Just Cutting Steel Many Guy"s Around Here Use Propane On Their Rigs As It Is Cheaper And They Are Just Salvage Guy"s That Sell Stell So Hacking Away At A Tractor It Justify"s Itself!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Elkhart IN
with a propane tip, it has alot more preheat orfices, because it takes more of the propane to preheat the metal. propane doesnt cut as well, as it basically just blows metal away. thats the reason that most scrap yards use propane cause its cheap. acetylene in my own oppinion it worth it. it cuts much cleaner, lights much easier, and lights easier in the wind.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: NY and VA
I have used propane (acetylene reg works fine) for years with good results. I have the Smith propane cutting tip. It does take some practice to get a smooth cut, pressure makes a difference, but it can be done. 1/2" metal cuts fairly easily with my set up. Not plasma quality. The thing that is nice is that propane is a lot cheaper than acetylene, and when done can return the tank to the grill.
Posting Legend
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Acetylene burns MUCH hotter than propane. It is the oxygen that actually cuts the steel. The burning gas is just used to bring the steel up to combustion temperature. Acetylene heats the steel much faster so it is much easier to use than propane.
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From: St Croix Falls,WI
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Elder User
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From: Hendersonville, TN
There's another alternative called Chem-Flame, that's propane with another chemical added to make it more like acetylene, but still cheaper to use.
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From: Niceville, FL.
Make sure your hoses are rated for LP gas, many are not. Mine are "Grade T" for all fuel gasses. I think LP gas causes the regular acetylene hoses to get brittle and crack. The diaphrams in some regulators may also be damaged by LP gas. What about it forum members with gas welding experience?
Piffery1
Piffery1
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Cutting/Welding With Propane??
I Have Used Both For Many Years, I Have Not Come Across Any Trouble With The Hoses Or The Regulators From Using Propane, I Switch Off Back And Forth Depending On What I Am Doing, The Only Thing I Have To Do Is Change The Tip Due To The Orfice Size And The Tank, And I Go To Work, The Propane Cuts Jagged And Not Clean But For Taking Stuff To The Junk Yard It Is Great And Cheaper But For Fine Tuning I Use Acetelyne And The Tip It Cuts Rather Clean And Works Great, But For The Hoses Or Regualtor No Problems Here. I Run A Harris Rig Set-up
Thanks, Kevin
Thanks, Kevin
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: South Dakota
Acetylene burns about 1000 degrees hotter than propane. It will cut just fine and the tanks are easier to get filled and cheaper to buy. The tank can also be set on its side and still used. Propane is harder to light but will light every time if you do it right. It is true that propane is cheaper than acetylene but you will use more oxygen because of the longer preheat time. Because of this, it may not be any cheaper to run a propane setup. I use propane on my torch because for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
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If you try to use a propane torch the same way you're used to using an acetylene torch, you won't get as good a results. We use propane on our pantagragh at work with great results in plate up to 6" thick. Supposed to be able to cut 8" with it but have never had the oppertunity. Propane is not as hot as acetylene but the flame puts out more total Btus. The hottest part of the flame is not the "cone" as it is with acetylene, so you need to hold the flame back away a little further when preheating. It does take a little longer with propane though, but it helps alot if you grind the mill scale off where you're starting you're cut. To get a clean cut with propane, you need to pull the "feathers" up about as short as you can and still have sufficient heat to do the job. If done correctly, the cut is every bit as good as acteylene. Their is just a learning curve there. You probably do use slightly more oxygen with a propane set up, but I doubt it would come close to taking up the savings of the cheaper propane.
Kim
Kim
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From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by Torque1st
Acetylene burns MUCH hotter than propane. It is the oxygen that actually cuts the steel. The burning gas is just used to bring the steel up to combustion temperature. Acetylene heats the steel much faster so it is much easier to use than propane.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Originally Posted by cornfeed
Acetylene burns about 1000 degrees hotter than propane. It will cut just fine and the tanks are easier to get filled and cheaper to buy. The tank can also be set on its side and still used. Propane is harder to light but will light every time if you do it right. It is true that propane is cheaper than acetylene but you will use more oxygen because of the longer preheat time. Because of this, it may not be any cheaper to run a propane setup. I use propane on my torch because for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Don