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Oxy / Acetylene Gear - Harris

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Danefraz, Mar 9, 2018.

  1. Mar 9, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    Of course, I have the 'off brand' of what's sold locally, Harris rather than Victor

    Brand new shiny stuff made by Harris. I'm guessing it's all about 20yrs old or so if not more, always in this box from what I understand.

    I was looking at flame arrestors - something I recall chasing in shop class ~30yrs ago, the hoses caught fire and it was a foot race to the bottles to shut them off.

    Anyone have them? Looks like they have torch versions and regulator versions? (seems likely at gauges due to weight, but never used 'em, and I see a lot for 'torch' use as well).

    I'm guessing victor brand or harris brand will work (standard hose sizes)? or don't mix n match?

    Never mind my budget purchase on the hoses, they'll likely outlast me if they get kept in this box when not being used.

    I think I'll add a couple of chains / straps to a little shed I built to hold the bottles and keep them outside rather than spend the $$ for a cart that will likely not be used much. Then I can eyeball carts on ebay for a while and not have to worry about it until I find a decent bargain that will get it done.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    edit:
    gauge models
    o2: 25-100
    acetylene: 25-15

    and my 'free' bottle of acetylene has about 115psi of juice... score. near full I think (about same size bottle as the 95cf bottle I have for ArCO mix, just bigger in dia).
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2018
  2. Mar 9, 2018
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I have my Dad's Harris stuff. Has to be 40 years old.
     
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  3. Mar 9, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Yes, use them.

    If you have them at the torch end, as opposed to the regulator end, they can prevent an explosion from happening inside your hose, saving you a hose.

    O2 by itself isn't flammable, and in its static state, acetylene (generally) isn't flammable without O2. The risk comes when a plugged tip, a faulty torch, a near-empty tank, etc..., allows one of the gasses to back-flow into the other hose creating a flammable mixture. Check valves only at the regulators will prevent the mix from happening in the tank, but it could still make a firecracker out of your hose.

    Acetylene is reactive though. It can decompose explosively and support its own combustion if the pressure of the tank is released too quickly. (Chalk one up for using propane instead!) For this reason, Europe's standards require a burn back valve at the torch and the regulator, because the valve inadvertently restricts flow and can help prevent the tank from draining too quickly if a hose is accidentally cut.

    It's your call, but I say definitely use them (if your torch doesn't already have them? Some do.). I run mine at the torch-end, FWIW.
     
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  4. Mar 9, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I just looked at your pictures again. It's hard to tell, but check these. You might already have them.

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Mar 9, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    just looked at the torch and the arrows on each side "-> flow" and the fact tis not a pass-thru hole... THANKS - GREAT CATCH!
     
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  6. Mar 9, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    been ages - was just 're-reading' some basic safety stuff.

    general torch use for welding: 1:1psi for A/O, A never over about 12-15psi - note the red-line on the gauges - don't exceed (boom, red mist)
    general cutting use: seems about 4psi / 40psi for A / O as a decent place to start (depends how much 'blow' you want right?).

    I'd forgotten that A is suspended in acetone - and the 'sponge innards design' of the tank.

    If you have to lay an A bottle on it's side, for any reason / length of time, stand vertical for 30m before using - in short, the acetone re-distributes itself correctly.

    Still looking at the 1/7th rule for withdrawal rates. Not likely to exceed it, but its something to look at again.
     
  7. Mar 9, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The only time I've run into an issue is with a big "rosehead" heating tip. Then acetylene bottles need to be manifolded to get adequate flow.

    As for "buying" a cart… Now you have a torch set - just make one! (y)
     
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  8. Mar 9, 2018
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Yep if your going to do much heating with a "RoseBud" you need a much larger Acetylene bottle............With a big tip it will suck the gas right out of the bottle.

    And Harris is Fine.............that's the brainless end of the Process.
     
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  9. Mar 9, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    with this and and my little lincoln mig, I'm pretty sure I'm good to go for a while, and I'm guessing my cutting torch tip isn't 'big enough' nor will it sustain such hot for so long as to need to have multiple bottles manifolded together.
     
  10. Mar 9, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Trying to figure out bottle volume... like trying to figure out dates of Jeeps made in the 'lost years'...

    My O2 bottle is about 51" at the valve, and >9" dia. Smells like a 244 cf bottle, but isn't skinny 'nuf for a 150 cf.

    My Acet bottle is about 31" at the valve and about 8" dia. Smells like a 130 cf bottle (makes sense since my ArCo bottle is a 95cf and it's about the same height and skinnier).

    Looking at charts is confluzing since it seems 'close' for most stuff, but not 'zactly'.

    (was looking here)
     
  11. Mar 9, 2018
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I forget who told me to do this
    but after you close bottles and vent torch
    to back the regulators off till next use

    yea we used rosebuds at work
    and would run both regulators near max
    to prevent blow back . sounds like a big gun/cannon going off

    blow back valves are a must . just to be safe
    fire inspector would look for them
     
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  12. Mar 9, 2018
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Yes, back the regulators off. Keeps constant pressure off the innards.
     
  13. Mar 10, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Ahhh - yes. I was trying to figure out what you all were saying...

    Yes, I close the bottles on everything I have, then let the pressure off, do it on the MIG - but that doesn't seem so 'leak proof' at the trigger, do it the same with my BBQ that's hooked to the house NG, do it with the propane heaters I have that use a hose / regulator (and my table-top camping stoves that have the same). Not sure where or when I started doing that. I'll do it the same with the torch equip - may be it was something I actually learned in the metal shop back in High School.

    O off, A off, then bottles off, then torch facing away from you or other folks, slowly open each torch valve until reg pressure is zero, A then O. (that's what I recall anyway, open to debate).

    I think it's open to interpretive dance; a lot like those folks that line up the screws on switch plates.

    Along the same lines: anyone here release the pressure on their Coleman white-gas lanterns or stoves as well? I open them prior to traveling so I know there's no pressure build up when climbing up the mountains, or a serious vac created when coming down the mountains. Something I always thought of with my little MSR stove - that would be a fun mess in a backpack.
     
  14. Mar 10, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    :sneak: No need to do this if your lines leak. :whistle:

    Every hick-town steel shop I've ever worked at had so many holes in the A lines, around the grinders they just looked like candelabras. It was just common practice to step on the fire as you walked by to keep the soot in the shop to a minimum.
     
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  15. Mar 10, 2018
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Don't you need different stuff to run propane. I looked at doing this because acetylene was so expensive. Is propane really 30% less energy? So much cheaper...
     
  16. Mar 10, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The jet sizes need to be different to get the right mix. And when I was forced to use "propylene" for a time, I discovered that my acetylene hoses were not rated for other gases.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
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  17. Mar 10, 2018
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Thanks for this thread. I don't own an oxy/acetyline set up. Never used one. (I know, right. Who is this schlepp?) I want one. I've been leary of buying a used set up because they all seem to lack the anti blow back safety valves. New ones have them already in place, probably by law.

    The only thing I know about using a torch is "A before O or up you go" when lighting it. :shrug:
     
  18. Mar 10, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    -edit-
    Found a branded NIB valves torch set for $25 and a set for the regulators for $55 on ebay. Other brands may vary.
    Seems like some low cost prevention if the equip doesnt have it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
  19. Mar 10, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    A pair of valves costs about twelve bucks new on ebay.

    I don't understand how anyone can get through a day without a set of torches. You'll never look back.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
  20. Mar 10, 2018
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I had a complete new harris torch set. I never used it because acetylene was so expensive. I also needed new lines to run propane and new jets or whatever. i decided I could do almost everything i needed to do with an angle grinder. If I need heat, some O2 and Mapp gas and the cheap HD torch set works and make it happen. I can braze with it, so... money..
     
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