O-A cutting torch pops

[babzog]

Hey guys,

Probably an easy one. I lit my (new to me, Harris torch I picked up at auction a couple weeks ago) torch this weekend and she pops like crazy when I add the oxygen. Many times, adding the O2 will blow it out. I know the acetylene is pretty near empty.. would low pressure cause this?

 

[35mastr]

Clean out the tip or replace it. Likley has some clogged spots.

 

[malibu101]

If you don't know what your dealing with- go and get a new tip. That way you can factor it out of the equation plus you'll eventually need another.
Popping can also be caused by fuel gas starvation.
Are you running the right pressures for your size tip? I'm a Victor guy and I usually about 5A 25O for a number 000 to a 0 tip.

 

[trackwelder]

Get some acetylene..it sounds like its starving. Years back we use to do quite a bit of gas welding. Use to have two 330 cuft bottles manifolded to get the required flow.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Fill your acetylene AND put a new tip on there.

 

[babzog]

Thanks guys, I'll make a trip to the welding shop for a tank and tip.

 

[ibedayank]

A before O or up in : you go
If you dont have them already get the backflash preventers

 

[rasit]

Thanks guys, I'll make a trip to the welding shop for a tank and tip.

Might want to get a tip cleaner also while your there.

 

[babzog]

I did try cleaning the tip (first thing I thought too) but that didn't help. The torch already had flashback arresters installed.

Which bottle is the dangerous one to transport in an enclosed vehicle: A or O (or both)? Prefer not to hook up the trailer if I can avoid it as it's bouncy as hell.

 

[newcastleadam]

Which bottle is the dangerous one to transport in an enclosed vehicle: A or O (or both)? Prefer not to hook up the trailer if I can avoid it as it's bouncy as hell.

Both are, but A>O. Some shops won't let you leave with tanks in your trunk, major liability issue. Got a roof rack ?

 

[ekeller]

While we are on this subject, we had a torch that worked just fine, until someone was using it, sat it down for a while then picked it back up and the barrel was extreamly hot from burning so long. Now all it does is pop as well. The Tanks have plenty of gas as well. We even put another torch on the same hose/regulators/tanks and it worked just fine, so something has got to be wrong with the torch handle. Thanks

 

[babzog]

Both are, but A>O. Some shops won't let you leave with tanks in your trunk, major liability issue. Got a roof rack ?

It's a van... Was thinking I could just open the rear vent windows. Guess I'll hook up the trailer.

 

[dr_clyde]

Generally speaking, when a OA torch pops, its not getting cool enough. This can be remedied in a couple ways. First, get a bigger tip. If it constantly pops, you have too small of a tip. If you know you have the correct tip for the application, then you probably don't have enough gas flow. The oxygen and acetylene flowing through the head actually cool the head and the torch body. Ensure you have adequate gas flow, clean correct tips, and a properly adjusted neutral flame and you should be all set.

 

[babzog]

Generally speaking, when a OA torch pops, its not getting cool enough. This can be remedied in a couple ways. First, get a bigger tip. If it constantly pops, you have too small of a tip. If you know you have the correct tip for the application, then you probably don't have enough gas flow. The oxygen and acetylene flowing through the head actually cool the head and the torch body. Ensure you have adequate gas flow, clean correct tips, and a properly adjusted neutral flame and you should be all set.

The tip seems okay... the cleaner passes in okay. I think, as suggested above, that it's the low A that's causing it. I'm just waiting for the ownership data on the tanks and then I'll get the tank swapped. I couldn't even get to set a neutral flame as it would pop pop pop and go out when I added the O.