Oxy-Ace torch hoses: ok on the floor/ground while cutting overhead?

[TheCarbideRat]

this question has been buggin me for a long time and im talking about any kind of cutting but especially that which involves falling slag. The choices are: 1never ok 2occasionally ok 3always ok. Comments are appreciated, especially appreciated if you ever had any kind of torch hose problem. Dont forget to vote in the poll.

 

[geologist]

Never ok. A severed or burned-through hose can lead to a serious accident.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

im with you Steven but i seen it in alot of shops.

 

[ptschram]

My hoses (and all those I've ever seen) are flame resistant at the very least-well, except for the time I busted a hose and used nylon air brake hose

 

[TheCarbideRat]

so whats your vote?

 

[A_Pmech]

Hoses are fine on the floor, just keep them away from the general direction of the cutting stream. Whether cutting overhead, vertical or flat, beads of hot metal will travel significant distances levitating on a cushion of steam.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

just make sure your hoses are behind you and you'll never have a problem.

besides if you hoses aren't on the floor, where else are they going to go?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

if you hoses aren't on the floor, where else are they going to go?

i drape them over the lift arms. In my work, auto repair, i am mostly using oxy ace to cut off rusted exhaust. Chunks of slag are falling 7 ft and bouncing all over the place, some will end up 2 or 3 ft or so from theiraxial origin. To me this is unacceptable. What is stopping slag from coming to a stop right on the hose?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

and ive seen slag bounce 6 ft across the floor as well.

 

[Hawk Thor]

We use Oxy-Acet torches all the time in ships and in the shop. As long as the hose is not in direct line of the flame or so close to the piece that the slag is red-hot when it hits the hose and the hose is not subjected to a steady stream of red-hot slag, then you'll be fine. There can always be freak accidents but these hoses are meant to be used around Oxy-Acet torces and manufactured accordingly.

 

[diesel research]

I meant to say always ok but accidentally clicked "sometimes".

Used to cut ~100lb slabs out from an overhead steel conveyor belt (sections made of extended wide D4 dozer track) ~10ft wide.

Slag wasn't much of an issue, the falling beams were though.

In a high slag concern area, you can buy fiberglass/nomex/carbon-carbon/kevlar/silicone heat sleeves to cover your hoses. Similar to sparkplug wire protector sleeve.

 

[blacK20]

I've always just layed the hoses on the ground as much out of the way as possible. Never had or seen a problem before. Like somebody else has mentioned, these hoses are made exactly for the application.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

you guys are starting to win me over. Thanks for the straight dope and good lookin out!

 

[tatra]

the thing is about draping the hose like you describe could result in slag nesting where the hoses siamese together and not be noticed until too late and now possibly have the leak at upper body level, so on the floor with a firewatch if possible or frequent checking...............

 

[wreckercologist]

we used to have problems at work with burning up hoses all the time............that guy doesn't work there anymore.

The best story about him is: Sitting up on his creaper while cutting something on a truck, while the torch hoses were pointed at his crotch. Torch hoses that already had a hole in them due to this guy. He burnt his nuts that day!

I use a O/A torch everyday at work. Never ruined a set of hoses by being careful of where they lay, and who is around me.