torch O-rings

[hallboyone]

Hi there.
Got a quick question. I have an oxy-act torch that I bought used and all of the o-rings are missing. I thought I would try to use it until I got weird popping sounds and the tools would go out. Well I guess that I will replace the rings but I thought I'd ask, do they need to be a special rubber or would any old Lowes o-ring work.
Thanks for any help.

 

[rlitman]

They are indeed special. Viton rings should be fine if you can get them in the right sizes.

 

[Farmall450]

They are indeed special. Viton rings should be fine if you can get them in the right sizes.

Agreed, don't use normal ones!

 

[KenC]

I found that none of the local welding supply places would sell those. But, they would gladly send the torch in to be serviced, at a premium price! Liability concerns were said to be the reason.

But, I found this place: atlweldingsupply.com. Good service, decent prices.

 

[signcrafter]

Once you figure out what type and size Orings you need just order them from grainger or mcmaster. You will have a lifetime supply of those sizes for fairly cheap.

 

[george4]

Once you figure out what type and size Orings you need just order them from grainger or mcmaster. You will have a lifetime supply of those sizes for fairly cheap.

X2 on Viton and McMaster. I had the same problem and ordered from McMaster, they are for some old Craftsman torches. The minimum was 50 at the time and there are some left over. If the below is the size you need, pm me your address and I will send you a couple. Same for anybody else that needs that size.

Viton V75

size id od McMaster #

008 3/16" 5/16" 0.176" 0.316" 9464K13

014 1/2" 5/8" 0.489" 0.629" 9464K19

 

[rlitman]

The problem with o-rings is that the price/quantity curve is nuts.
It feels like you pay a buck or more for one. Two bucks for 10, 3 bucks for 50, 7 bucks for 500, and 10 bucks for 1000.
Now I'm swimming in o-rings.

 

[sberry]

I have put more than one common O ring on a torch body and forgot it. Never had another problem.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yeah, but you seem to have a death wish at times...

 

[sberry]

I don't know but I occasionally look at it to notice a failing service part before it becomes an issue and havnt had a torch pop in 30 years unless I want it to. Yes, I am dangerous, do a lot of wild stuff, stuff as lot wont or cant do.

This isn't a case of that, its if the problem stops today, if it works will likely work again with a slightly less service life till it has a problem,,,,, in the future,,, a problem un addressed as of now and difficult to obtain some little fuk stick part that it never gets done,,, yes,,, I even have installed a used garden hose washer too.

Would I list it on ebay as "rebuilt" no. There are probably millions of torches in the world in service this way daily without incident.

 

[sberry]

I had a boss said,,, I hate it when you do that, pow with the torch and striker. I can really get it to crack, I been running torches so long can tune the gas mix before I light it.

I bet I lit a torch 30 thousand times.

 

[Zrexxer]

There's a place called Spark's Torch Service that's owned by a disabled vet. They sell repair kits and parts, and they're good people to deal with.

http://www.sparkstorch.com/repair kits/

 

[theknurl]

screw Viton, its not even recommended in the compatibility chart

just get Buna-N O-rings sizes AS-007 & AS-010 should do

its like the Ducati idiots, they want the green Viton O-rings for the fuel pump plate.....they are ~$17 EACH at the dealer

MV Agustas use the same pump, their O-rings are $11.74 EACH

the Buna N ones from McMaster-Carr are $0.30 EACH....$7.48 for 25

 

[rlitman]

screw Viton, its not even recommended in the compatibility chart

just get Buna-N O-rings

WRONG. Buna-N is incompatible with oxygen.

Oh, and viton o-rings are generally not green. That color typically is reserved for HNBR.
Yes, stealership markup is nuts.

 

[theknurl]

rlitman;
its not incompatible with oxygen, its not the best choice.....

Buna N has served me well in my Victors for the last 58 years and the 1st one was old when I got it

 

[george4]

screw Viton, its not even recommended in the compatibility chart

just get Buna-N O-rings sizes AS-007 & AS-010 should do

its like the Ducati idiots, they want the green Viton O-rings for the fuel pump plate.....they are ~$17 EACH at the dealer

MV Agustas use the same pump, their O-rings are $11.74 EACH

the Buna N ones from McMaster-Carr are $0.30 EACH....$7.48 for 25

My bad on recommending Viton - I was just relying a guy who has been in the welding business for 3 or 4 decades.

 

[RedneckWelder]

What I would do is send in the torch to a professional rebuilder so they can go through it and replace not only the o-rings but anything else. You brought the torch used and it was missing o-rings, not a good sign. Something else may be jacked up.

What you get back from the rebuilder will be a torch in excellent condition ready for a lifetime of service.

 

[theknurl]

What I would do is send in the torch to a professional rebuilder so they can go through it and replace not only the o-rings but anything else. You brought the torch used and it was missing o-rings, not a good sign. Something else may be jacked up.

What you get back from the rebuilder will be a torch in excellent condition ready for a lifetime of service.

RedneckWelder;

really????

there are 2 O-rings in a Victor tip.....they don't last a lifetime, and you pop them out with your fingernail

if the knobs are loose, just tighten the packing nuts

same things the professional is going to do....but he'll probably use pliers, instead of the correct wrench

don't think so?
I watched the border buddy use a BIG Crescent wrench while filling tanks

I walked back in the office;
"hey, your idiot out back is ruining all your fittings and tanks"

guys were climbing over counters to get out there

 

[CWP1616L]

Why not just get the o-ring kit from the manufacturer?

What's the make and model number of the torch?

 

[theknurl]

Why not just get the o-ring kit from the manufacturer?

What's the make and model number of the torch?

because the number of O-rings you'll need depends on how many tips/heads you have. for the $7 or so they cost from McMaster you get 100 of each

some of the big tips, I leave them off of, probably get hard before I use them, when it need a big tip I put new O-rings on it

don't do much welding/brazing with my Victors usually heating/cutting
for brazing/welding......its the Purox.....no O-rings

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Post pictures of the regulators, hoses and torch.. You may be due for more than a few o rings.....

 

[theknurl]

Post pictures of the regulators, hoses and torch.. You may be due for more than a few o rings.....

you do on line visual inspections?

my 2 Victor J-28s tips/heads have O-rings, my LWS gives them to me

my Purox 00s from the '30s don't use any O-rings.....been using the same one since '59 #1J2544, I have 3 and 1, 00 D

they use push on 3/16" hose.....no, its not legal, do I care?????? are you kidding???? I use Tygon, when brazing I use JetFlux it's hard on hoses...it eats regular welding hose

I use 2 stage Victor regulators, the big ones ~4 1/2" OD.....they have worked fine since '75

one of my Father's 2 '30s 2 stage small bodies bevel glass gauges needs a redo....but I have other sets

got 4 flow meters/3 regulators (ones a double, for mixing Argon and Helium, the only mixed gas I buy is C-25)

my Lincoln 300/300 has used 1 O-ring in the water solenoid in 38 years ......used to run it 6 hours a day 5 days a week.....still on its original points
the Lincoln SP-200 hasn't been used 3% of what the TIG machine has .....zero issues

my Father and I have dealt with the same welding supply place for 3 generations of the Sims family

on 5-15-36 my Father received a letter from Linde Air Products Co. exempting him from demurrage charges.....they transfered it to me, think what that letter has saved us

I've been welding for 56 years.....no problems

and NOBODY touches my torches/regulators but me......my Father's rule....."never let anyone touch your welding things"

 

[RedneckWelder]

RedneckWelder;

really????

Yes, really. Since there are many ways an O/A outfit can kill you or put you in the hospital for a long time I would suggest that the OP have his newly acquired torch and regulators checked out by someone who knows what they are doing. The outfit showed signs of improper maintence already, who knows what else may be wrong.

You may know how to rebuild your equipment, and that's fine, but not everyone does.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

What I would do is send in the torch to a professional rebuilder so they can go through it and replace not only the o-rings but anything else. You brought the torch used and it was missing o-rings, not a good sign. Something else may be jacked up.

What you get back from the rebuilder will be a torch in excellent condition ready for a lifetime of service.

Good advice.... and bring the entire torch in for a good lookover...Older torches can be updated with anti-flashback valves if they are lacking. ****** or non OSHA compliant hoses can be replaced.....Get it all looked over..

I refuse to lite an unsafe, illegal, or cobbled up torch....... I have seen the results of a faulty torch "malfunction"" A fellow received third degree burns and spent months in a burn center...

When it comes to a torch, OSHA is my friend.... We all get to choose our friends..

 

[toolman1967]

I just had my torch head rebuilt, they charged me 45 dollars for a complete rebuild, looks like new. With the consequences of doing the job wrong, it was worth a piece of mind to have it professionally done. Just my 2 cents.....

Tim the Toolman

 

[theknurl]

you guys amaze me!

what can you rebuild in a torch head (I'm assuming cutting head)

on my Victor 550J.....
there are 2 O-rings replace them, AS-007 & AS-010
there are 2 sets of packing, just tighten the nuts slightly

wipe it off, you're done

handles only have packing, no serviceable internal parts

BDT/NWMN.....you trust OSHA to keep you safe?????

my torches are UL approved

RedneckWelder;
almost sounds like you are paranoid about O/A


I make my own lines, I have 2 crimpers 1 for welding hose and 1 for air hoses

make brake lines too

power steering hoses go to NAPA they've got the big crimper

 

[Hiball]

you guys amaze me!

what can you rebuild in a torch head (I'm assuming cutting head)

on my Victor 550J.....
there are 2 O-rings replace them, AS-007 & AS-010
there are 2 sets of packing, just tighten the nuts slightly

wipe it off, you're done

handles only have packing, no serviceable internal parts

BDT/NWMN.....you trust OSHA to keep you safe?????

my torches are UL approved

RedneckWelder;
almost sounds like you are paranoid about O/A


I make my own lines, I have 2 crimpers 1 for welding hose and 1 for air hoses

make brake lines too

power steering hoses go to NAPA they've got the big crimper

"A Man must know his Limitations" Not Everyone has the confidence to do jobs like this, Obviously to someone who has done this job a handful of times it becomes second nature. I have all my Torch's and Regulators serviced by the Local Welding shop on occasion, acetylene is too expensive/flammable to be messing around with Leaks, Everyone has different skill sets in Life.

 

[theknurl]

Hiball;

we're talking the replacement of 2 exposed O-rings per tip or cutting head, you can remove them with your finger nail after pulling the b-nut back.....sometimes if they are real hard I use a Popsicle stick that I cut with an angled wedge on the end....I use my pocket knife to cut the angle

then I use a piece of string to clean the O-ring grooves......just like shining shoes
does the "professional" do that? I doubt it....that's how my Father taught me the summer I turned 8

tightening the packing involves 2 wrenches, 7/16" and 1/2", you want some friction so the knobs don't move when touched and don't leak

when you're all reconnected check every joint with soap and water

this is for Victor torches, others I don't use (other than my Purox
OO.....no O-rings)

NB;
when I came back from Europe I got my old Victor out......I could smell acetylene......barely made a bubble at normal pressure.
the was a crack in the threads between the body and head.....took the valves out put it in my vise and crushed it

just for shits and giggles I just walked across the street and asked my neighbor Mary, if she could change the O-rings.....
"You mean those little rubber things?"
"yes"
"I probably shouldn't use anything that is sharp that would scratch the metal right?"
"yes, I use my finger nail or a Popsicle stick"
"hey, what is that thing anyway???"

then I explained about this thread

 

[Hiball]

Hiball;

we're talking the replacement of 2 exposed O-rings per tip or cutting head, you can remove them with your finger nail after pulling the b-nut back.....sometimes if they are real hard I use a Popsicle stick that I cut with an angled wedge on the end....I use my pocket knife to cut the angle

then I use a piece of string to clean the O-ring grooves......just like shining shoes
does the "professional" do that? I doubt it....that's how my Father taught me the summer I turned 8

tightening the packing involves 2 wrenches, 7/16" and 1/2", you want some friction so the knobs don't move when touched and don't leak

when you're all reconnected check every joint with soap and water

this is for Victor torches, others I don't use (other than my Purox
OO.....no O-rings)

That's a Great story and im sure you value the knowledge you received from your father, Unfortunately Not everyone had those experiences. Ive literally changed out 1000's of Hydraulic Application Orings and even then I still have my equipment serviced by the Welding shop, Sure im capable of completing the task but I enjoy the Local service and its Nice that they send business my way.

I know 1st hand its hard to comprehend how someone cant understand how to do the simplest task, Especially in a subject where your extremely knowledgeable, But try and remember not everyone has lived in your shoes. I probably get asked at least once a week, If it matters what direction the Oring gets installed. Sure.. Its frustrating and sometimes I cant believe what im hearing but in the End, I try to be the better man and use the conversation as a teaching method and hopefully they will pass down the knowledge.

And Yes.. Im sure the Welding shop cleans the Oring Grooves, otherwise there would be sealing issues.

 

[Provincial]

I have an old Airco torch set that uses two special seals on the shank of each torch adapter. They are available (along with all the other parts) through Concoa:

http://www.concoa.com/

Just in case someone else needs this information.

 

[Outlawmws]

Noel, lets get some reality into the picture. Pick a different neighbor/housewife, and hand them a set of regulators, hoses, and torch-heads, and THEN ask them if they will "change the O rings in these for me"

Oh, and be sure to inform then if the job isn't done correctly, the result could be an explosion...

I can guarantee you will get a completely different reaction...

Paraphrasing what Hiball said: you are speaking from 50-60 years of experience. To someone like you it's simple. To someone with no exposure, (except maybe as a casual user) it's a rat's nest of complexity they cannot imagine, with lots of very busy hoses, connections and other **** going on.

It's all about comfort zone. Take those same people and walk them through it step by step (as you chose to hand a nearly completed step to your neighbor) and it's a completely different experience.

You know your particular torches inside out. the average person doesn't even know how a packing nut actually works. (or why are there so many (most?) hose bibbs leaking the entire time a garden hose is in use...

Tell you what you tell me what piece of technology you aren't so comfortable with; maybe its the guts of a PC, or how about the insides of an old school Tube TV or stereo, or pick your poison, and then have a expert talk down at you for know knowing how "simple" it is.

My point is talking down at these people is not winning you friends, or impressing them. You seem to be a knowledgeable guy on a variety of topics. Getting arrogant about it helps no one, least of all you.

 

[theknurl]

Outlawmws;
go back to the OP, he knew the O-rings were gone and tried using it any way

we were talking about the torch 'head' O-rings, NOT regulators or anything else

then every one wanted Viton O-rings....they were using O-rings in torches probably 50 years before Viton was invented

Sberry....put a common O-ring and had no problems.....you made a comment

I listed the O-ring part numbers for Victor torches, and went through the changing procedure and the adjustment of the packing nuts

I high lighted in red the safety check after the system is reassembled

I explained what I do with defective torches....destroy them

I handed Mary the cutting head as removed, I asked if she could change the little rubber rings, she said she could

as for knowing my torches inside and out......no, but I did a science project in the 4th grade on welding and my Father borrowed Victor's cut away torches, so I know what's in the big ones......spiral mixers

why would I take them apart?????

I prefer the Purox OO, interchangeable mixers, for O/A, O/Hydrogen or air/Hydrogen......and somebody said I had cobbled together stuff

nobody touches my A/O setups, my good tin snips, my Father's, Grandfather's tools, my ERCO shrinker or my gap shear

you want to use my 300/300 or SP-200? give me a Benjamin deposit

folks from 3 motorcycle Forums are welcome to use my shop......they're buying lunch and drinks

Outlawmws.....now who did I talk down to?

 

[Outlawmws]

It's your tone and writing style, and comments like:

you do on line visual inspections?

I've been welding for 56 years.....no problems

and NOBODY touches my torches/regulators but me......

you guys amaze me!

what can you rebuild in a torch head (I'm assuming cutting head)

BDT/NWMN.....you trust OSHA to keep you safe?????

RedneckWelder;
almost sounds like you are paranoid about O/A

just for shits and giggles I just walked across the street and asked my neighbor Mary, if she could change the O-rings.....
"You mean those little rubber things?"
"yes"
"I probably shouldn't use anything that is sharp that would scratch the metal right?"
"yes, I use my finger nail or a Popsicle stick"
"hey, what is that thing anyway???"

then I explained about this thread

Which that last was designed to imply anyone who disagreed with you was somehow deficient (putting it politely) when in fact you loaded the example by simplifying it to its most basic element.

YOU are talking about that part, but what about the others in this thread? Most, likely see it as part of a much more complex thing. Again, your experience in not in question, but the tone and image you give off says something more than what I think you intend. (or you would nor be defending it)

Yes "it's the internet".. but as in life, you are what you portray yourself to be while on the internet, and with the written word it's VERY easy to come off complexly different than what you meant to say.

They claim 90 % of communications is non-verbal. Nearly 100 % of communications on the internet is "virtual" verbal, so communicating inflections is incredibly difficult, and its easy to communicate something completely un-intended...

 

[hallboyone]

What I would do is send in the torch to a professional rebuilder so they can go through it and replace not only the o-rings but anything else. You brought the torch used and it was missing o-rings, not a good sign. Something else may be jacked up.

What you get back from the rebuilder will be a torch in excellent condition ready for a lifetime of service.

Thanks for all of the great replies. I knew the man who sold me this, actually it was his widow, he passed away, but he always took great care of his tools so I don't think that they have been jacked with. To try to do a little research on the regulators what can you fellows tell me about IOxygen? Finally, one last question, how would I measure what size o-ring I need? Thanks again for the great replies.

 

[artieb]

Hi all, is this a good thread? I have a Concoa 1818-0750, and needs some new O-Rings. Are these series worth putting money in? I have 2 complete sets one for acetylene and the other for propylene. Any compatibility with other's like Airco?

 

[Outlawmws]

Hi all, is this a good thread? I have a Concoa 1818-0750, and needs some new O-Rings. Are these series worth putting money in? I have 2 complete sets one for acetylene and the other for propylene. Any compatibility with other's like Airco?

Did you mean propane?

 

[rlitman]

Did you mean propane?

Probably not. Propylene is the replacement for MAPP. Not as good, but still hotter than propane.

 

[ttpete]

screw Viton, its not even recommended in the compatibility chart

just get Buna-N O-rings sizes AS-007 & AS-010 should do

its like the Ducati idiots, they want the green Viton O-rings for the fuel pump plate.....they are ~$17 EACH at the dealer

MV Agustas use the same pump, their O-rings are $11.74 EACH

the Buna N ones from McMaster-Carr are $0.30 EACH....$7.48 for 25

Viton is absolutely necessary for anything in contact with today's gasoline.

Ducati price on the later o-rings is $65, I got mine online through Amazon 10 for $5. The 011 ones for the quick disconnect fuel lines were 100 for $10. All Viton.

 

[artieb]

Yep, I have propylene. Uses the same handle, all the welding, rosebuds, tips, with the exception of cutting tip. I use acetylene for pretty cutting and propylene for about everything else.