Oxyacetylene buzzing

[evilironsmith]

Hi,
Artist here from NYC with a question about my oxyacetylene setup. I am using a 0 tip on my torch with 3-5 psi on both oxy and actylene regs...according to manufacturers specs for torch . I am experiencing a "buzzing" sound inside the torch handle whenever I perform any brazing. Should I increase oxy psi to 25-30psi as I did with my larger tips?

Thanks in advance.

[Roger]

Buzzing sound inside torch handle is probably a flash back flame inside handle. Very dangerous. When you turn down flame to much to get less heat, gas velocity flowing out of torch tip can be less than speed gas can burn up stream. This allows flame to burn into torch then up hose to fuel bottle. Bad for torch and your safety.

To get less heat use smaller torch tip.

Follow instructions of how to lite torch or have experienced weldor or welding instructor show proper way to light and adjust torch,

[GeorgeG]

Hi,
Artist here from NYC with a question about my oxyacetylene setup. I am using a 0 tip on my torch with 3-5 psi on both oxy and actylene regs...according to manufacturers specs for torch . I am experiencing a "buzzing" sound inside the torch handle whenever I perform any brazing. Should I increase oxy psi to 25-30psi as I did with my larger tips?

Thanks in advance.

Perhaps your gauges are not accurate, or you are measuring when the valves on the handle are closed.
Try lighting with just the acetylene adjusted such that the flame is off the tip by a short distance, then dial in the oxygen to neutral.
It shouldn't take too much pressure on a 0 nozzle.

[BillDaCatt]

Your issue may be as simple as carbon fouling of the tip. I've found that when my torch starts squealing, I need to clean the tip. If you don't have a set of nozzle cleaning files you can usually pick up a set at your LWS for less than $5.

[TEK]

Buzzing sound inside torch handle is probably a flash back flame inside handle. Very dangerous.

While it is true that a fire inside is dangerous, that is probably not what the OP is experiencing.He said nothing about the handle getting 'Hotter than the Brazen Hinges of ****' so I'm thinkin its something else......could be wrong tho.....

[evilironsmith]

Thanks for the detailed responses. The set up is only a year old and probably has been used a total of 5 times...excellent condition and maintained and checked every month. No carbon build up.......Not flash back, as TEK noted, the handle does not get hot or even warm. I think George G may have something about adjusting pressure with valves closed. I think that is what I did....How would that create the noise? . I listened again, and it sounds like a tiny ball bouncing around inside the handle.

[hankj]

The way to set the pressure regulator is with the gas flowing. Open the bottle valves on both fuel and O². Next, turn out the regulator handles until they are free of the adjusting spring.

Open the torch fuel valve and screw in the adjusting handle until the fuel low pressure gauge indicates between 3 and 5 PSIG (for a size "0" tip). Turn off the torch fuel valve.

Open the torch O² valve and repeat the above process.

Light the torch on fuel only. If it is acetylene, adjust the torch valve so the flame just pulls away from the torch tip, then back off until the flame rests at the tip.

Add O² for the type of flame you want: oxidizing, neutral, or carburizing.

Braze on! There should be no noises coming from the torch other than the slight hiss of the escaping gases.

A phenomenon I've noticed with my Victor flashback arrestors at the regulators is that the O² arrestor will "sing" a bit at high flow rates, but I've never had any odd noises at the torch end when welding or cutting, except for my first and only flashback while welding in a corner years ago.

Hank

[Rocky D]

I'm thinking not so much about pressure, but the "O"" rings my have been damaged on the torch tip. However low pressure will cause buzzing.

[evilironsmith]

Thanks for the great advice. I will definitely inspect my "O" ring seals and make sure I tune in the pressure gauges properly with the torch handle valves open :)

Regards

[hankj]

I really doubt that "O" rings are a problem in a rig that's only a year old. My old "J" series handle is ancient, and still running on the original "O" rings with no problems.

Hank