Black Smoke from Acetylene

[homeless1972]

It's not April 1st is it?

This is a joke I hope. There is no way acetylene without oxygen induced will burn clean at a torch tip. I don't care how much pressure the regulator is set at.

Concentrate most on what happens AFTER you open the oxy valve........

[slash09]

Open it till the black smoke turns gray or almost disappears. It doesn't fully go away but it should look like it does when you're holding the torch in front of you.

[aametalmaster]

The black smoke is unburned carbon. Almost any fuel will turn black when burned with not enough oxygen...Bob

[autohausfab]

i feel like this thread is to mess with our heads if the oxy is not on you will always have black smoke no?

[Roger]

I still remember my first welding instructor showing us how to light a torch like it was yesterday. (I wish) The instructions work better as demonstration than only description with written words. It isn't just to mess with your mind but sure fire way to light touch with high enough gas velocity to prevent flash back into torch. Might save your *** just as it has worked for welders long before flash back arrestors and check valves mandated by government regulators supported by insurance companies. Strictly following torch lighting and shut down procedures will still keep you out of the news as failed survival of fittest when check valves and flash back arresters fail. If your stupid or delusional enough to think mechanical devises never fail, you can't always be lucky. God gets tired of looking out for fools.

[Blacksmith]

I learned two things very well in the Navy; (1) Never force or rely on a safety device (like Roger said) and (2) the only stupid question is the one you don't ask (if you don't know or aren't sure - ask!).

[legend]

For 1/4 to 1/2 " Steel I keep the Acetylene pressure between 3-5 psi anymore than 5 is unnecessary in my books