Cutting torch suggestions

[Banjorear]

Cutting torch suggestions or recommendations

Hi All:

I haven't had the need for a oxy/acetylene torch set for many years. I have one of those small "tote" sets for the few times I need the red wrench.

I now find myself needing larger tanks and curious the best way to go about this.

Should I use my Victor torch and rent larger bottles? If I should, I'll need a cart.

Should I just buy a bigger set that comes with tanks, cart, etc? I'm not against buying used, but it seems like getting the tanks re-certified if out of date may be a hassle that I don't need right now.

I need this to heat 48 head studs on a flathead Ford V8. I'm certain the little tote tanks will run out before I can get them red hot.

Is that Map/Oxy set Benzomatic sells a cheap and quick alternative?

Any suggestions welcomed.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[zendriver]

I bought a used torch set estate sale that had tanks I just took them in and swap them.

I got quotes for renting tanks was just plain ridiculous unless only using them for a few months.

Shop around and find used tanks to swap or just buy some from the distributor.

New torch sets are just as good imo this getting old set that probably needs to be redone.

Complete sets at auction sometimes goes skyhigh and sometimes really cheap and usually includes a cart

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MJD1]

I would just rent the tanks for the one off job . If need be just buy a larger tip for heating. Mapp or propane would require a different tip , but would also be doable.

 

[MoonRise]

The Bernzomatic Oxy-MAP (since there is no more actual MAPP gas available, unless you find some old stock cylinders) is NOT even close to a 'real' oxy-acetylene set-up.

The tiny little oxygen cylinders are just 1 (or 1.1, something like that) ft3 of oxygen for $10+ per cylinder.

And the torch tip is TINY. Heating up a stuck head bolt/stud in an engine block is WAAAAY beyond the tip's heat output capability.

Those sets have there uses (small stuff mainly, and for when you can't get a 'real' torch set), but this use is NOT within its capabilities.

And you were thinking that you'd use up your 10 ft3 MC acetylene tank doing this task? Probably right, but even if the oxy-MAP torch could heat up the head bolts/studs properly (it can't) you'd be going through multiple $10+ oxygen cylinders every 10-20 minutes.

That said, if your current oxy-acetylene set is up to the task and you just need bigger tanks, then get some bigger tanks. Buy new or used, take to LWS and swap for full tanks, done.

If the bigger tanks don't match up their fittings to your regulators (oxygen should match, as those are standard CGA 540 fittings), you can just get a fitting adapter to match the bigger acetylene cylinder to your existing regulator.

Or you can go rig up for oxy-propane (works fine for heating or brazing or cutting, just can't weld with it). Get bigger oxygen cylinder and a propane cylinder (20 lb BBQ or bigger is fine) and some T-rated hose for use with propane or acetylene (the standard R-rated hose is ONLY for use with acetylene) and a propane regulator (can run higher pressure than acetylene's 15 psi safety limit) and the appropriate oxy-propane tip(s) (no, you can not really use an oxy-acetylene tip with oxy-propane, the fuels burn differently).

Cart? Modify a hand truck if needed, done.

Most of the times I've checked, https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/ seems to have some of the 'best' prices for small/medium welding cylinders (oxygen, inert gas, acetylene). YMMV.

Be aware, some LWS will not deal with 'large' cylinders unless they are leased from THAT particular LWS. Biggest the couple LWS I've dealt with here in north-western NJ will routinely deal with are 80 ft3 ones, except for Tractor Supply that sells some bigger ones (but the price to buy seems high to me, although the refill prices are quite reasonable IMHO but they will now only fill/exchange their 'own' cylinders). YMMV and all that.

Also, keep in mind the 1:7 withdrawal rate safety rule for acetylene cylinders. Can't run a 'big' tip with a little MC cylinder. Heck, even a 'little' Harris #2 oxy-acetylene heating/welding tip (rated for welding just 3/64" thick steel), if cranked up a little bit for heating ('stronger' flame than the usual 'gentle' welding flame), pretty much requires a 75 ft3 acetylene cylinder or bigger.

No 1:7 withdrawal rate rule with propane, although you might frost-up a propane tank with 'high' propane flow rates (bigger tip sizes).

 

[abachman]

If you are not wanting to weld with the setup, just get a new tip for Propane and Oxygen. You can use the 20 pound propane tanks and not to be concerned with the withdrawl rate of the propane as with the Acetylene.

 

[Banjorear]

If you are not wanting to weld with the setup, just get a new tip for Propane and Oxygen. You can use the 20 pound propane tanks and not to be concerned with the withdrawl rate of the propane as with the Acetylene.

Thank you. I've been reading about oxy/propane and it seems like this is the new thing to use for my type of application.

 

[Mr_B]

+1 on oxypropane, is way forward for a low costing decent heat and cut torch setup .

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Oxy-Propylene is another fuel option that doesn't have withdrawl rate restrictions, cutting and heating only also.