looking to get a oxy cutting setup

[new welder guy]

im new to oxy fuel cutting and would like to get a set so im able to do more with my builds.. what is a good starter kit and how safe is it. i know i maybe just scared but i have always though that some how the tanks could blow if or a line start on fire or something bad any info would be great thanks

[Rocky D]

Ya mean like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/RockyD/Welding%20Tricks/What%20not%20to%20do/effect.jpg

I am partial to Victor, but there are others out there, that are almost as good...a lot would depend on what you are gonna to do with it...what material thicknesses will you be up against. I use a J-28 mixer with a CA 1260 cutting head...it's light duty, but it works for me. Are you looking to make precision cuts, or just hack stuff up...these are some of the questions you need to address in ... picking out the right weapon.

[gwiley]

Tractor supply sells a real Victor cutting/welding setup for $199 (that is where I got mine), it includes regulators, goggles, sparker, 20' hose a few tips and a combo torch.

You will need to add:
- tip cleaners
- extra sparker
- gloves
- fireproof jacket
- welders cap (sparks on thinning hair suck)
- cylinders

I went to the local welding supply and got the largest oxy/acet cylidners I could afford (leased).

Cutting draws a lot of acetylene, small tanks will limit what you can do to something like 1/7 (or 1/10 according to some) of the total capacity of the acetylene cylinder in CFM.

You will also discover that OA makes some really nice welds. I love the fact that I normally don't need to grind anything and that I have no splatter or slag to deal with.

Get the welders handbook from Lowes - it has a chapter on cutting and on OA welding. Everything you need to know is in there. I also like the video on OA welding at Northern Tool if you think you might go that route.

The most important thing about the book/video is the safety talk. Handled properly I don't think OA is any more dangerous that other welding processes. Handled improperly I think OA is far more dangerous! Do it all by the book and you will be fine - don't cut corners.

I am guessing that the two most frequent safety violations are 1) not securing the tanks with a chain before adding the regulators and 2) not observing caution with pure oxygen - petroleum based liquids/grease can ignite very easily in the presence of pure oxygen.

[Rocky D]

...

Cutting draws a lot of acetylene, small tanks will limit what you can do to something like 1/7 (or 1/10 according to some) of the total capacity of the acetylene cylinder in CFM.


I would have to correct the above statement, to read "At no time should the withdrawal rate of an individual cylinder exceed 1/7 of the cylinder contents."
You will use almost twice as much oxygen in the cutting process. In the picture I posted the acetylene tank is way to big for that setup...it is not the norm. IMHO. Otherwise, that is a great post.

[new welder guy]

so oxy fuel cutting is safe as long as the tank sizing is right? dose a bigger acetylene tank make for more heat or something thats why its bad? also is the any one way check vavles or stops i can put in the line so no matter what the fire could never get back to the tanks?

[Sberry]

Yes, check valves are now standard on new torches I believe. A larger tank is a GOOD thing, lets one use higher withdraw rates for bigger tips especially important for heating. I really should have a larger bottle in my shop on occasion, mine are marginal for large heating tips. Its fairly rare I use it and keep an eye on things.

[new welder guy]

how do bad things happen when using this kinda tools? is it like when the torchers pop and the fire gose out or is it from cutting and forgetting where the hose is and hitting it cutiing to long to hot?i want to be as safe as i can and no lie oxy fuel scares the **** out of me

[Wyoming]

so oxy fuel cutting is safe as long as the tank sizing is right? dose a bigger acetylene tank make for more heat or something thats why its bad? also is the any one way check vavles or stops i can put in the line so no matter what the fire could never get back to the tanks?

Tank sizing has little to do with actual safety when cutting. What you will run into is the 1/7 ratio for withdrawal rate to tank size limiting your ability to use enough fuel for larger tips. This happens most often using heating/rosebud tips as they run at a much higher rate. A larger tank will allow more fuel for the work to be done before reaching that 1/7 limit. Above the 1/7 rate you stand a very good chance of venting the acetone binder used to safely store pressurized acetylene along with the acetylene. Bad for your gauges and your work.

A larger tank is also often a better buy given that there is often a hazardous material fee or labor fee charged for filling the tanks along with the expense of the gas. Same fee or minimal difference, depending upon your supplier, from one tank size to the next, so it pays to have them refilled as seldom as possible. Unless you have an absolute need to be mobile, go with as large as you can comfortably go to reduce the costs. Once back at the shop secure those bottles!

Do yourself a favor and either stop down at your local welding supply for a free Victor or other brand gas welding/cutting guide, if they still offer them. Otherwise, do an Internet search...Victor or one of the other manufacturers should have a guide to download from their site. Gas cutting and welding is not that involved besides relying on keeping to a few simple safety rules and a steady hand. Going it alone without a clear understanding by reading the guide for 30-40 minutes could lead to some nasty surprises. A little common sense, knowledge and respect go a long way toward safe operation.

[Wyoming]

how do bad things happen when using this kinda tools? is it like when the torchers pop and the fire gose out or is it from cutting and forgetting where the hose is and hitting it cutiing to long to hot?i want to be as safe as i can and no lie oxy fuel scares the **** out of me

Again, I'd advise you to get a copy of one of the manufacturers' guides. All your questions will be answered far better than picking and choosing information off the Internet forums. Miss a question or rely on an answer without first understanding the reasoning behind it could cause you problems.

Here is one safety guide from the company that owns Victor. It is only a simple guide and not in depth. Take a look around and see what is available.

http://www.thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/DocLib_4119_0056-0138.pdf

[usmcpop]

There's some pretty good info here if you read through and digest it all.

http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/OXY_handbook/589oxy6_1.htm

[Roger]

This link has many free manuals including army welding manual, Steel worker manual, underwater cutting and welding manual.......

http://www.metalwebnews.com/ed.html