He reminds me of Thomas LeQue my high school fabrication and machine shop teacher. Essential Craftsman is a natural people like this are a gift to the youth.
I worked in the oil fields welding right after I graduated in 73. Bought me a gas powered 300 amp machine and jumped in with both feet. I eventually wound up in Odessa Texas building new drilling rigs. Money was flowing freely in those boom times. I tell this to say that I learned to use a cutting torch with some of the best in the welding business. They would do all kinds of tricks to show off their skills. One was to strip a welding rod of the flux and see how far they could cut it without burning or melting it in two. They usually used a 5/16 rod and very few could get more than an inch or more cut before they would fail. I always thought I could do anything bigger and better than anyone else so I started practising this technique. I eventually got it figured out to where I could cut an 1/8 inch rod all the way to the end with the rod standing straight up in my vise. The flame had to be set perfect, the oxygen pressure had to be perfect and I would us the rod and my hand as a fixture to hold the torch and come down the rod at just the right speed and the rod would roll over on both sides. I made money on betting many times doing this trick. Another thing is I never bought a tip bigger than a triple 0. (000) . I could cut plate 1 inch thick with a triple 0 and make it look like I was using a cut-a-line. Using a cutting torch is like anything else, with practise and trial and error, a person can acquire skills that are incredible. Thanks Mr Scott for posting another awesome video!!!!!
Sounds like you made that cutting torch act more like a laser! That's impressive, I hope that you aren't still working in the oil fields (since '73 might as well be '70, and that would make it 50 years ago), and that you have at least tried to teach your skills to some willing apprentices. What I'm trying to say is someone with your skills would surely know so many little tips and tricks that you would make a good teacher, provided that you had students willing to learn (a thing sorely lacking these days, where school is thought of as a thing to be endured more than a thing to enjoy).
Wow, and double wow. This sounds like my type of skill set right there. I hear you very clearly. I think you would be an awesome guest on the channel. I'm 52 yrs now and just starting college for welding , the torch is a important tool that we have to understand fully, or else...... Boom. Cancle christmas. Jim
@@44R0Ndin Thanks for your kind words. I taught my sons and grandsons how to desire to be the best at whatever they wanted. One of my grandsons works in a fab shop that builds race cars and he does very well at it. He is 18 years old. I went to school after a few years in the oil field and got a mechanical engineering degree. I have owned 35 businesses and when I was in my 50's went back to school and got an electrical engineering degree. I always loved going to school and learning everything I could. I've worked projects all over the world and have tried many things and I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up!!!
@@aerialrescuesolutions3277 That's awesome you starting to learn welding. I have welded and fabricated in lots of different areas of the industry. Pipelines, oilfield drilling rig fabricating, chemical plants, radioactive waste storage facility, race cars, and lots of other things. Never stop learning and always have a desire to fill your brain with new and exciting information that makes you happy....
When I was a junior in high school in 1969, my shop teacher taught us how to light a torch and make a neutral flame with it. He also taught us a carburizing flame, an oxidizing flame and how to cut with a cutting torch and how to braze with a torch also. And he made us do each one too, multiple times. At sixty eight years old I still use these skills, Thanks Mr Odson, I didn’t realize what you were teaching us that week would be so useful for so long!
Great tutorial. I've used my Victor rig with the rosebud tip, but never cut. Tried for 5 minutes, came inside, watched this, and then I went back out and cut the 4 pin flanges off my Kubota bucket. Thanks!
I was always taught to open the the oxygen valve all the way, because there is a back seal when it is opened all the way. Maybe regulators have changed since.
That's my understanding as well. A double-seated valve. To touch on another of his comments, it's fine to lay down an acetylene tank. You just have to leave it vertical for a while before using it to give the liquid a chance to settle back to the bottom of the porous substance the tank is filled with.
@@snymat_68 Yep, there's nothing inherently dangerous about transporting an acetylene cylinder on it's side (and arguably it's safer, if you don't have a good way of securing it upright) But like you say, you do have to let the acetone settle back into the porous material before using, or you might be feeding liquid acetone into your torch.
I learned how to use the hot wrench in grade 10, I bet that does not happen these days. At my high school one day the guys delivering the tanks let an O2 tank fall over, it went right through the cement block wall in the welding shop and into the quad. Thankfully it was on a weekend when no one was at the school, and no one was hurt, but it sure made a mess. I don't have one in my shop here in Tokyo, I have an air plasma cutter the lease on the tanks here is stupid expensive, the air plasma cutter is cheaper for me to run. I wish I could afford to have a hot wrench in the shop as they certainly do some things that the air plasma cutter cannot. Cheers from Tokyo! Stu
Sophomore here, taking welding this year, the first thing we learned was how to use the cutting torch. I’m in one of the few schools that still care about shop class. FFA state champs for 13 years in a row now.
This sounds dumb and I know you won’t see this. But you’ve helped me through tech school to a diploma and AAS in carpentry. I am not on my way to a journeyman card. You have helped me with every subject from buying a mag 77 to torch tips. Sir I would love to meet you some day. It sounds bad but you are a mentor for me even though you have not met me. I’m just a northern boy from MN that has many of the interests you do. God bless you and thank you fir your lessons on life and work. From friends and mentors to tool tips thank you.
Good morning Hunter and thank you for this report! Stay on it, you’re gonna do great! It is an encouragement to me to hear of things like this so thank you very much.
That is a truly lovely 10 minute summary of how to use a cutting torch - awesome work. I worked with an old german welder and he made cuts that looked like they had been done on a bridgeport. He had two tricks: he cleaned the holes with a number drill before starting and he made a copper bar with a step to rest the torch on and then adjusted the torch so that the flame was as you describe. As you point out welding is about watching the pool and moving when you see it is right.
Another really engaging and informative video from one of the best long-form UA-cam channels around today. Thanks to Scott, Nate, and all the folks involved in producing these. Changing and improving lives with these vids. God bless.
The oxygen valve should be completely opened when in use because the valve seats on fully opened and fully closed position. to avoid leakage from the valve stem.
I would recommend when using the older torches without flashback arrestors to add a set, use at least a shade 5 to protect your eyes and open the oxygen valve all the way you are grown ups so it's up to you great channel keep up the good work.
I don't know who taught me about the cutting torch in 1970-1. I could not begin to discuss, like you did, what little I have learned over the years. Scott, great demo and you didn't get burned or put your eye out.
I just want you to know how much I needed this video. My father passed away a few years back and he was always the one who would tell me I could do things I was nervous about doing. I’ve wanted to get a torch but haven’t had anyone to give me the confidence I need to try. Thank you for the push, it’s nice to have a father figure in my life again, even if it’s just through UA-cam.
Cannot stress this enough, if your valves do not have arrestors built in, buy more. Mount them between your hose and your regulator. Do not mount them on your torch unless you already have them on the regulator. If the flame burns back into your tip or you burn your hose the flame will shoot down your line towards your tanks. You will hear, smell, and possibly even see this happen. Quickly turn off your bottle. Your line will need to be replaced, do not mess with a damaged hose.
My grandpa has always had a gin pole truck on the farm that ran on propane. He also kept his cutting torch on the truck and ran it off the truck's propane tank. Super handy on the farm. The first time I used acetylene in shop class in high school was an experience. Propane is fine for general cutting and brazing, for my grandpa at least who uses it like a wizard, but acetylene is faster and easier to get a nice cut with.
A friend of mine worked for a boiler repair company. One day he was using the torch in the basement of a building. I know his tanks were mounted in the truck and I think there was a reel that let him unspool the length of hoses needed to reach the work. As he was cutting he felt a tug on the hoses. A few seconds later the torch was ripped out of his hands. He ran outside and saw his truck going down the street dragging a hundred feet of hose and a still burning torch.
Been using the cutting torch since 12 years old. 30 years later I don't use one near as often because I have a lot of other better ways to cut metal. But there is still a lot of jobs in the shop that the torch is the best and most efficient way to do the job.
Your videos are very helpful. As a contractor, two days ago and for the first time I was exposed to these tanks and immediately thought about how dangerous they are. Now with some education, I'll have a better idea on how to talk to the welders about how they keep their equipment safe.
Lesson was wellteached,, you took me back 45 years when I was first taught about the cutting torch as I tried my hands in a metal shop as apprentice,, THANK YOU. : )
One safety thing on the oxygen - it should be turned all the way open. It has a double seated valve and has a anti leak seal when completely open (and closed of course). I ran mine at about 3/4 open for years until I was informed of this feature on the oxy tank design so I guess it isn’t highly dangerous but it is recommended. As always, I really enjoy your videos
I love this channel. Its like having another super cool grandpa that knows everything. How about a video on air compressors? Like for maintenance and beneficial attachments.
Excellent tutorial! You covered all of the safety issues perfectly. I learned to your a torch at age twelve from one of the farmers in my neighborhood. During my times as safety inspector of the 800 KW coal fired power plant I worked in. I instituted a plan for the storage of same and kicked out acetylene in favor of Mapp gas. Much safer. :-)
One of the most important tips, besides the safety aspects, to enable clean reliable cutting was to keep the sides of the cutting tip clean. I cleaned the tips thoroughly every time that I used the torch. When the sides of the tip are clean, no carbon buildup, there was much better airflow into the flame. Also, we were taught in welding school to turn the acetylene off first as this lessened the chance of a burn back and also kept the tip cleaner as the continuing flow of oxygen pushed any carbon out of the tip.
Thank you for providing such a valuable information! I am building my own house now and consider myself lucky that I found your Chanel. Thank you again.
I like the comment about opening the O2 valve then open/adjust the valve on the low pressure gauge slowly. I ruined a gauge by opening the bottle valve quickly thus ruining the gauge diaphragm. Sent it off for rebuild. Clean the tiny holes on the tip on the torch then remove the tip to dump the carbon trash you cleaned.
This is a quality! Couple things to add. This is just what I have learned from class. I understand that he mentioned the fact that he has not specified a lot of the details because it does come from experience as I have learned in class. When you go to turn on the tanks you want to turn them a little bit more than what he said but not necessarily all the way. As for the oxygen and acetylene, 30 psi for oxygen is sufficient and you can go higher, but with the acetylene you just want it at seven psi. Also when you were setting off the torch do you want to back out the hoses so they do not burst from scoring at high pressure. What that means is turning off the torch valves on the actual torch, and then turning off the tanks. After you have turned off the tanks you want to turn back on the valves on the torch as if you were about to cut the steel. You’ll see the working gauge drop down to zero when you turn on the valves on the torches. Now the torch is ready for storage. Thank you for the video!
Great video, I wanna add some things on: - There are publicly available charts with recommended pressures for the bottles (measured with the gas flowing) depending on the thickness of the steel you're cutting - use them to set your torch more precisely - the setting shown in the video will cut just about anything, it just may be overkill for some thinner metals. - Also consult OSHA's (or other country's equivalent) manual about the shade needed for cutting/welding - acetylene and plasma both require shade 5 iirc, which is readily available at many tool and home improvement stores. It's really unpleasant to look at a neutral or cutting flame at the very least and probably not helpful to your eyes either. I am pretty sure though that acetylene torches do not emit UV radiation, only infrared, they are still bright af and you only have 2 eyes. - All connections are brass on brass - never use sealants or tape to get a seal because it will react with the gases unpredictably (or predictably and violently). Don't crank down on them too hard - just enough to seal and you can check for that seal by cracking the bottle open with the tip valves closed, then closing the bottle once the pressures stabilize and noting how long it takes the pressures to go down. As long as it takes a couple hours you're good, one of my bottles takes about a day to fully go down but that one has a new regulator and hose. There is probably a better way as well, this is just one of them. - Work manuals will tell you to disassemble the torch fully once you're done with it - no one really does this and there are no real ill effects. Do, however, inspect the connections and hoses for cracking before opening the bottles, and purge the gases out of the torch when you're done with it - close the bottles, open each valve one by one until the pressure in the regulators goes to zero, then close the valves. If you shut off the torch improperly and it won't re-ignite, this is also the way to "start anew" - bleed, open again, and try again. - The acetylene bottle should only open 1/4-1/2 turn so in an emergency it can be closed with one twist of the hand. It still gets enough flow to do the work. If you transport the acetylene bottle and have to lay it flat, let it stand vertically for a couple hours before use - the contents are a mixture of gas and liquid confined within a sponge, you want the liquid on the bottom and gas on top or you'll have major, major issues when you try to use it. - If cutting rusty, flaky metal - WEAR THE FACE SHIELD. Metal WILL splash into your face because only the outside flake is molten. This applies to repairing rusty farm vehicles/equipment, car body repairs and restorations, and other situations where thicker, rusty metal needs to be cut. - If cutting overhead or the scenario directly above, invest into a leather welding jacket and hood. At the very least, wear several thick layers of clothing that you don't care about - and never wear synthetic clothing because it WILL melt to your body. Wearing long sleeves with a collar is the very least I would do, and welding gloves so you don't worry about giving your hands third-degree burns. - Proper footwear and leg wear is a must - work boots and pants, or at the very least thick jeans. Regardless of the position, your legs will get hit with sparks and it's really unpleasant. This is a very cool and useful skill to have, and indispensable if fabricating or working on vehicles subject to the weather. The cutting tip can also technically be used for heating, just stay off the oxygen blast lever and set the flame to neutral.
You should NOT wait for a molten pool before pressing the trigger ! It should be close but not melted, otherwise there will be steel droplets projected everywhere ! If you press before, it gets oxydized thanks to oxygen and it's just sparks !
Makes me think this might be a case of "multiple schools of thought," and one person's preferred method from back in like, 1940-something, got taught to their students as _the_ method, which got taught to their students as _the_ method, and so forth and so on.
@@ShadowDragon8685 definitely. But as a welding engineer I can guarantee that from a metallurgy standpoint you don't need for the steel to be molten, and from a safety standpoint ... Well, look at the other comments above 😁 But yeah, good 'ol "I've always done like that" is very common in the steel working industry 😂
Another great video. just 2 safety points for beginners first no lighters or matches in your pockets, shirt pockets especially. second if you are using older torches retrofit them with backfire safety valves between the hoses and torch. body, newer torches are made with the safety valves as part of the torch
Thanks for the video. I got my dads old acetylene torch and tanks from him about a year ago. I have only used them for heating up and bending some metal and need to do some practice cutting. I don't think I have cut metal with a torch since middle school metal shop class. And I'm 36 now... I do need to go get the bottles filled.
A couple of things that I learned growing up in a welding/fab shop. The hottest part of the flame is about one eighth of an inch away from the blue pilots. Once the secondary oxygen valve is adjusted, it should be left alone. Shut the flame down by shutting main oxygen first and fuel last. When relighting light fuel, turn on main oxygen valve fully, then adjust fuel to obtain a neutral flame. You will always have the the same sized flame with only one adjustment. Only tilt torch when cutting thin material. This makes the effective thickness greater. I always try to emulate a cutting machine(ie smooth even motions with no shaking.) I like to use guides to help. Remember FIRE IS HOT. Safety first.
I wish you did more videos on forming, placing and finishing concrete! Your amazing. I wish I could come work for you and kick start my learning to propel my career
awesome video :) I haven't used acetylene to weld or cut since college, this video reminded me how useful it is and made me want to get back into it, thanks
Also, soapy water and a foam brush around all fittings, regulators, gauges, lines, etc is an easy way to check for leaks before you start making flames or sparks
Actually, Acetylene is lighter than air... atomic wgt 26 as compared to air at 29 so will not collect in low areas. It is unstable (reactive) due to the bond stress of the triple bond.
It’s hard to impress on someone what a lethal bomb these things can be. Here’s how I became a believer: Years ago we needed to work a half-day on a July 4th and we thought it would be fun to set off an oxy-acetylene ‘firecracker’ as we were wrapping up, to go home at lunchtime. We had a standard, throw-away, plastic grocery bag and a set of torches. We lit the torch and got the mix burning just right for cutting. Then we tapped the flame out on a brick and turned the torch up into the grocery bag and filled it with the volatile mix (not even tight like a balloon. It was still quite squishy). We duct taped the bag to the ceiling of a port-a-john and ran a toilet paper fuse to the floor. We lit the ‘fuse’ and ran back a good 75 feet or so. That thing made a bang louder than any off-the-shelf firework, M-80 or otherwise, I had ever been around. It blew the plastic screens out of the top of the john and flung the door wide open, breaking the top hinge on the door. Furthermore it cracked the vent stack that runs up thru the roof. We were all literally dumbfounded 😳 by the explosive power we were able to cobble together, so quickly with just trash found laying around on the site. After seeing that, never again did I look at a set of torches without an extremely healthy, well deserved, dose of respect.
Similar story, when I was in highschool and our nine fingered shop teacher was explaining the dangers of fuel mixtures he prepared 3 small balloons. One with a squirt of acetylene which he sparked with 2 taped yard sticks with a match one the end like an old cannoneer. It popped in a gentle sooty fireball. The second he put a squirt of oxygen which made a rapid weak flash. The last balloon he put 2 tiny squirts of oxy and acetylene, so it filled the same size as the other balloon. When he popped this one with the match it blew up with the force of a howitzer. The yard sticks blew across the floor, the 10 years of dust fell from the ceiling, the windows rattled, and the principal came sprinting from the other side of the school. My teacher was instructed to never do the demonstration again, but I don't think he will need to, that story is still talked about all these years later and I could only imagine what would happen if it were 2 bottles going off.
@@dewidubbs6715 Haha! Maybe not the most well thought out demonstration by a teacher ever, but I bet everyone that witnessed it that day, learned a valuable lesson they never forgot. Same with us. Not the smartest idea ever but the net result was a respect for the power of that stuff, none of us previously had. Lesson learned!
This lightoff procedure is different than I was taught. I open o2 valve on rear all the way, crack the acet valve, light the torch, open acet valve until soot disappears, then open the forward o2 valve until white feathers just disappear. Then sqeeze the o2 lever when the metal turns cherry red (not necessarily molten)
Myth busters did a thing with an oxygen tank and they shot it though like 3 walls. Also in every class I’ve had where we use that were told to make sure not to look at it and it will cause permanent eye damage.
It's not the brightness of an electric arc that blinds you, it's the fact that the high temperature of the plasma in that arc means that it emits a lot of ultraviolet light, meaning that arc eye is just a particularly bad case of snow blindness. Treatment is the same for both, as are the symptoms. On the other hand, the flame in an oxygen/acetylene welding or cutting torch does not reach a high enough temperature to emit a large amount of UV, so the worst you'll get from it is the same you'd get from staring at an incandescent lamp, namely some spots in your eyes that will go away within like 5 minutes tops if your eyes were functioning properly before you started.
I have to take exception with your explanation of the process of initiating a cut. By waiting for a puddle to form before beginning the cut, you exacerbate the backsplash when you pull the trigger. Alternately, when you begin to heat the steel, at the point when sparks of burning carbon begin to emanate from the flame, go ahead and pull the trigger. The blast of oxygen coming from the center of the tip will spike the temperature, cleanly initiating the cut.
The oxygen bottle is a high pressure bottle. It has to be opened all the way in order to seat the valve closed at the top. MiG welding has bottles are the same. Only turn acetylene on 3-4 turns max. The only time you’ll go above 5-7 on your gauges are when you’re cutting 1”+ thick material.
Fun fact, most any flammable gas can be used as fuel for a cutting torch, assuming the correct tip is used. Even gases that are much cheaper to get like propane and natural gas, or if you happen to be in space and hydrocarbons are in short supply, you can even use pure hydrogen. I've even heard of a cutting torch that runs on kerosene. The reason is that it's not the fuel that's doing the cutting. It's the oxygen. Technically once you start the cut, and are progressing at a steady rate, you could turn off the fuel supply and keep right on cutting. The reason is that the reaction of hot iron with oxygen is actually quite exothermic, which is chemist talk for "a reaction that produces heat". Since it's also an oxidation reaction, you would be absolutely correct to say you're burning metal. The same reaction is used in an oxygen lance, and I think carbon electric arc gouging as well, in both cases there really is no external "fuel" supply yet the burning continues. All that is needed is a sufficient flow of oxygen to the reaction site, and a initial source of energy capable of heating the metal to it's ignition point.
One safety tip I was taught is never to carry a bottle on your shoulder. If you trip and fall you are putting your head between the concrete of the shop floor and the heavy tank coming down.
Nothing you do should put the bottle horizontal. If your fuel bottle is sideways make sure to stand it up for at least as long as it has been laying. Acetylene is liquid in the bottle saturated into a spongelike material, and will need to settle to the bottom of the tank again or you will spray it into your equipment and ruin it.
One thing you didn't mention is why you use a jet of oxygen to cut the metal. You're essentially burning it, or making it rust really, really fast. You could theoretically turn off the acetylene once you hit that squeeze valve, and it will keep cutting.
I was welding something with my torch about 10 years ago and my friend who was holding until I could get a tack saw my acetylene regulator on fire. I never saw him run so fast! I was able to run over to it and shut it off before I ran. Yes always check for leaks...
Scott, can you tell me what one trade or skill is the one to start with with a view to making some cash as soon as possible without having to spend years as an apprentice? I'm trying so hard to escape the world of software because I think we need to start making tangible things again and I also want to impart some skills to my kids so they can hit the ground running when they leave school.
Depending on what is being cut, I've heard that a Nick with a chisel can help get the pool started. The tiny edge heats more quickly. Perhaps a single swipe with a hacksaw would do the same. Enjoyed the video, Thanks!!
If you're having trouble starting the cut because the steel is too thick or too cold to get up to the ignition temperature, make a nick with a chisel to raise a little metal which will get up to the ignition temperature quickly. Once the burn starts it will keep cutting easily. And clean steel cuts way easier than rusty metal.
The added oxygen when you press the lever is not to push or blast the molten steal out of the piece but actually to burn it, the steel is literally consumed by the flame. The same way that you can ignite magnesium if you preheat iron and add enough O2 iron will burn.
Great video our Blacksmith shop started in the UK back in 1890 they used Town Gas back then before making their own Acetylene etc Flash back arrestors as mentioned earlier are worth doing a video on. As you probably know the Acetylene gas is dissolved in acetone ??? and the small bottle is much heavier In the UK Oxy is in a black bottle and Acetylene is in a maroon bottle Tricks that I have seen my Dad achieve Running low on Acetylene once the oxidisation puddle forms he would turn of the Acetylene ;-) I have seen him burn an 8mm nut of a stud and spin on a new nut, my mind was blown with that one as a kid Lighting a BBQ and start cooking in less than 3 min with no lighter fuel smell on the food. Tricks he did that still make me cringe Testing for a gas leak near the pressure gauge that had a missing bezel - loud bang and the bourdon tube straightened out and flicked the gauge needle 30 feet and embed itself into the wood door just as someone was coming in the workshop. He sometimes was "as daft as a brush" Handy using a Propane nozzle and a propane tank with Oxygen for heating applications, great for items that we could not get into the forge. You said and never use OIL or GREASE on anything to do with Oxy Acetylene Never use your thumb to check the air pressure of a "plasma cutter" one of our workers learned the hard way. Thanks for doing the video, my memories from over 35 - 40 years ago
this is the longest new channel binge ive had in awhile
Great video. More warnings should be stated like this. “You’re an adult and should take responsibility for yourself.”
I've always pronounced it "don't be stupid, stupid."
This is applicable in everyday life as well.
I wish the modern world would realize this fact....
You'd make a really good high school shop teacher.
No kidding - great teacher.
He is the adult shop teacher
The world needs more good shop teachers
He reminds me of Thomas LeQue my high school fabrication and machine shop teacher. Essential Craftsman is a natural people like this are a gift to the youth.
Nope, way too many thumbs intact.
I worked in the oil fields welding right after I graduated in 73. Bought me a gas powered 300 amp machine and jumped in with both feet. I eventually wound up in Odessa Texas building new drilling rigs. Money was flowing freely in those boom times. I tell this to say that I learned to use a cutting torch with some of the best in the welding business. They would do all kinds of tricks to show off their skills. One was to strip a welding rod of the flux and see how far they could cut it without burning or melting it in two. They usually used a 5/16 rod and very few could get more than an inch or more cut before they would fail. I always thought I could do anything bigger and better than anyone else so I started practising this technique. I eventually got it figured out to where I could cut an 1/8 inch rod all the way to the end with the rod standing straight up in my vise. The flame had to be set perfect, the oxygen pressure had to be perfect and I would us the rod and my hand as a fixture to hold the torch and come down the rod at just the right speed and the rod would roll over on both sides. I made money on betting many times doing this trick. Another thing is I never bought a tip bigger than a triple 0. (000) . I could cut plate 1 inch thick with a triple 0 and make it look like I was using a cut-a-line. Using a cutting torch is like anything else, with practise and trial and error, a person can acquire skills that are incredible. Thanks Mr Scott for posting another awesome video!!!!!
Sounds like you made that cutting torch act more like a laser! That's impressive, I hope that you aren't still working in the oil fields (since '73 might as well be '70, and that would make it 50 years ago), and that you have at least tried to teach your skills to some willing apprentices.
What I'm trying to say is someone with your skills would surely know so many little tips and tricks that you would make a good teacher, provided that you had students willing to learn (a thing sorely lacking these days, where school is thought of as a thing to be endured more than a thing to enjoy).
@@44R0Ndin Also a great guest on the channel to interview No? I'm thinking, Jim
Wow, and double wow. This sounds like my type of skill set right there. I hear you very clearly.
I think you would be an awesome guest on the channel. I'm 52 yrs now and just starting college for welding , the torch is a important tool that we have to understand fully, or else...... Boom. Cancle christmas. Jim
@@44R0Ndin Thanks for your kind words. I taught my sons and grandsons how to desire to be the best at whatever they wanted. One of my grandsons works in a fab shop that builds race cars and he does very well at it. He is 18 years old. I went to school after a few years in the oil field and got a mechanical engineering degree. I have owned 35 businesses and when I was in my 50's went back to school and got an electrical engineering degree. I always loved going to school and learning everything I could. I've worked projects all over the world and have tried many things and I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up!!!
@@aerialrescuesolutions3277 That's awesome you starting to learn welding. I have welded and fabricated in lots of different areas of the industry. Pipelines, oilfield drilling rig fabricating, chemical plants, radioactive waste storage facility, race cars, and lots of other things. Never stop learning and always have a desire to fill your brain with new and exciting information that makes you happy....
When I was a junior in high school in 1969, my shop teacher taught us how to light a torch and make a neutral flame with it. He also taught us a carburizing flame, an oxidizing flame and how to cut with a cutting torch and how to braze with a torch also. And he made us do each one too, multiple times. At sixty eight years old I still use these skills, Thanks Mr Odson, I didn’t realize what you were teaching us that week would be so useful for so long!
Always open oxygen all the way because it has a double seat valve and may potentially leak. Love the channel...
Love the profile pic
AS a high school Shop Teacher, I approve of this message!!! Thank you for posting Sir.
Great tutorial.
I've used my Victor rig with the rosebud tip, but never cut.
Tried for 5 minutes, came inside, watched this, and then I went back out and cut the 4 pin flanges off my Kubota bucket.
Thanks!
I was always taught to open the the oxygen valve all the way, because there is a back seal when it is opened all the way. Maybe regulators have changed since.
That's my understanding as well. A double-seated valve. To touch on another of his comments, it's fine to lay down an acetylene tank. You just have to leave it vertical for a while before using it to give the liquid a chance to settle back to the bottom of the porous substance the tank is filled with.
You are correct. I work in oil and gas and that is industry training.
@@snymat_68 Yep, there's nothing inherently dangerous about transporting an acetylene cylinder on it's side (and arguably it's safer, if you don't have a good way of securing it upright) But like you say, you do have to let the acetone settle back into the porous material before using, or you might be feeding liquid acetone into your torch.
I learned how to use the hot wrench in grade 10, I bet that does not happen these days.
At my high school one day the guys delivering the tanks let an O2 tank fall over, it went right through the cement block wall in the welding shop and into the quad. Thankfully it was on a weekend when no one was at the school, and no one was hurt, but it sure made a mess.
I don't have one in my shop here in Tokyo, I have an air plasma cutter the lease on the tanks here is stupid expensive, the air plasma cutter is cheaper for me to run. I wish I could afford to have a hot wrench in the shop as they certainly do some things that the air plasma cutter cannot.
Cheers from Tokyo!
Stu
Sophomore here, taking welding this year, the first thing we learned was how to use the cutting torch. I’m in one of the few schools that still care about shop class. FFA state champs for 13 years in a row now.
This sounds dumb and I know you won’t see this. But you’ve helped me through tech school to a diploma and AAS in carpentry. I am not on my way to a journeyman card. You have helped me with every subject from buying a mag 77 to torch tips. Sir I would love to meet you some day. It sounds bad but you are a mentor for me even though you have not met me. I’m just a northern boy from MN that has many of the interests you do. God bless you and thank you fir your lessons on life and work. From friends and mentors to tool tips thank you.
Good morning Hunter and thank you for this report! Stay on it, you’re gonna do great! It is an encouragement to me to hear of things like this so thank you very much.
My grandfather was a machinist for 40 years. I got to see him weld and use a torch. That man could built anything.
That is a truly lovely 10 minute summary of how to use a cutting torch - awesome work. I worked with an old german welder and he made cuts that looked like they had been done on a bridgeport. He had two tricks: he cleaned the holes with a number drill before starting and he made a copper bar with a step to rest the torch on and then adjusted the torch so that the flame was as you describe.
As you point out welding is about watching the pool and moving when you see it is right.
Here in Australia we refer to them as a Gas Axe..
Same in the UK
@@llljustcallhimdave Frequently called the "flame wrench" in the US
Victor wrench.
How about "flaming hack saw"?
Hot wrench, or blue wrench
Another really engaging and informative video from one of the best long-form UA-cam channels around today. Thanks to Scott, Nate, and all the folks involved in producing these. Changing and improving lives with these vids. God bless.
The oxygen valve should be completely opened when in use because the valve seats on fully opened and fully closed position. to avoid leakage from the valve stem.
This is called "backseating" the valve.
@@prototype3a Thanks
Came here to say that lol Always been taught to do that on the O2 tank.
I concur, industry wide, we open oxygen bottles fully. Good video, right in the ballpark!
Gotta seat that valve
I'm so fired up for this latest cut.
I would recommend when using the older torches without flashback arrestors to add a set, use at least a shade 5 to protect your eyes and open the oxygen valve all the way you are grown ups so it's up to you great channel keep up the good work.
Saturday morning drinking coffee, playin some slide guitar and watching some Essential Craftsman. Thanks for sharing another great video.
This takes me back to freshman year in wielding class. Oxy-Acetylene wielding and Braze wielding and cutting torch was taught first.
Welding, Wielding is something you do with a weapon most of the time.
@@georgetinc9578 lol yes but technically it was wielding the torch to do the welding.
Behold, the Gas Axe! (Glad to see you're back on axes, EC!)
I don't know who taught me about the cutting torch in 1970-1. I could not begin to discuss, like you did, what little I have learned over the years. Scott, great demo and you didn't get burned or put your eye out.
I just want you to know how much I needed this video. My father passed away a few years back and he was always the one who would tell me I could do things I was nervous about doing. I’ve wanted to get a torch but haven’t had anyone to give me the confidence I need to try. Thank you for the push, it’s nice to have a father figure in my life again, even if it’s just through UA-cam.
Thanks for this video. I might add that it's important to have flashback arrestors on the lines.
I would put a pair near the regulators.
Cannot stress this enough, if your valves do not have arrestors built in, buy more. Mount them between your hose and your regulator. Do not mount them on your torch unless you already have them on the regulator. If the flame burns back into your tip or you burn your hose the flame will shoot down your line towards your tanks.
You will hear, smell, and possibly even see this happen. Quickly turn off your bottle. Your line will need to be replaced, do not mess with a damaged hose.
in 8th grade shop class we were taught " A before O , or up you go " when shutting the torch off . that was 1972 .
I’ve been using a torch for years now, and I still find myself watching this video. Gotta love EC
My grandpa has always had a gin pole truck on the farm that ran on propane. He also kept his cutting torch on the truck and ran it off the truck's propane tank. Super handy on the farm. The first time I used acetylene in shop class in high school was an experience. Propane is fine for general cutting and brazing, for my grandpa at least who uses it like a wizard, but acetylene is faster and easier to get a nice cut with.
I don’t work with metal but this was very interesting. I’m a wood worker and a laborer. Ok I got to get back to laboring. Thanks for the video!
I’m glad to see that Ralphie never actually shot his eye out!
Ahhhh, my weekly dose of the adult Mister Rodgers....thank you for all you do! Jim.
A friend of mine worked for a boiler repair company. One day he was using the torch in the basement of a building. I know his tanks were mounted in the truck and I think there was a reel that let him unspool the length of hoses needed to reach the work. As he was cutting he felt a tug on the hoses. A few seconds later the torch was ripped out of his hands. He ran outside and saw his truck going down the street dragging a hundred feet of hose and a still burning torch.
Gahhhhhhh!!!!
Been using the cutting torch since 12 years old. 30 years later I don't use one near as often because I have a lot of other better ways to cut metal. But there is still a lot of jobs in the shop that the torch is the best and most efficient way to do the job.
Your videos are very helpful. As a contractor, two days ago and for the first time I was exposed to these tanks and immediately thought about how dangerous they are. Now with some education, I'll have a better idea on how to talk to the welders about how they keep their equipment safe.
Lesson was wellteached,, you took me back 45 years when I was first taught about the cutting torch as I tried my hands in a metal shop as apprentice,, THANK YOU. : )
You are awesome patient and a great voice. Reminds me of my dad when he was trying to teach me something. Thanks
One safety thing on the oxygen - it should be turned all the way open. It has a double seated valve and has a anti leak seal when completely open (and closed of course). I ran mine at about 3/4 open for years until I was informed of this feature on the oxy tank design so I guess it isn’t highly dangerous but it is recommended. As always, I really enjoy your videos
I love this channel. Its like having another super cool grandpa that knows everything. How about a video on air compressors? Like for maintenance and beneficial attachments.
Excellent tutorial! You covered all of the safety issues perfectly. I learned to your a torch at age twelve from one of the farmers in my neighborhood. During my times as safety inspector of the 800 KW coal fired power plant I worked in. I instituted a plan for the storage of same and kicked out acetylene in favor of Mapp gas. Much safer. :-)
Great video and channel. SO dang educational for those of us who've never been around so much of your world.
One of the most important tips, besides the safety aspects, to enable clean reliable cutting was to keep the sides of the cutting tip clean. I cleaned the tips thoroughly every time that I used the torch. When the sides of the tip are clean, no carbon buildup, there was much better airflow into the flame. Also, we were taught in welding school to turn the acetylene off first as this lessened the chance of a burn back and also kept the tip cleaner as the continuing flow of oxygen pushed any carbon out of the tip.
Thank you for providing such a valuable information! I am building my own house now and consider myself lucky that I found your Chanel. Thank you again.
I like the comment about opening the O2 valve then open/adjust the valve on the low pressure gauge slowly. I ruined a gauge by opening the bottle valve quickly thus ruining the gauge diaphragm. Sent it off for rebuild. Clean the tiny holes on the tip on the torch then remove the tip to dump the carbon trash you cleaned.
This is a quality! Couple things to add. This is just what I have learned from class. I understand that he mentioned the fact that he has not specified a lot of the details because it does come from experience as I have learned in class. When you go to turn on the tanks you want to turn them a little bit more than what he said but not necessarily all the way. As for the oxygen and acetylene, 30 psi for oxygen is sufficient and you can go higher, but with the acetylene you just want it at seven psi. Also when you were setting off the torch do you want to back out the hoses so they do not burst from scoring at high pressure. What that means is turning off the torch valves on the actual torch, and then turning off the tanks. After you have turned off the tanks you want to turn back on the valves on the torch as if you were about to cut the steel. You’ll see the working gauge drop down to zero when you turn on the valves on the torches. Now the torch is ready for storage. Thank you for the video!
Great video, I wanna add some things on:
- There are publicly available charts with recommended pressures for the bottles (measured with the gas flowing) depending on the thickness of the steel you're cutting - use them to set your torch more precisely - the setting shown in the video will cut just about anything, it just may be overkill for some thinner metals.
- Also consult OSHA's (or other country's equivalent) manual about the shade needed for cutting/welding - acetylene and plasma both require shade 5 iirc, which is readily available at many tool and home improvement stores. It's really unpleasant to look at a neutral or cutting flame at the very least and probably not helpful to your eyes either. I am pretty sure though that acetylene torches do not emit UV radiation, only infrared, they are still bright af and you only have 2 eyes.
- All connections are brass on brass - never use sealants or tape to get a seal because it will react with the gases unpredictably (or predictably and violently). Don't crank down on them too hard - just enough to seal and you can check for that seal by cracking the bottle open with the tip valves closed, then closing the bottle once the pressures stabilize and noting how long it takes the pressures to go down. As long as it takes a couple hours you're good, one of my bottles takes about a day to fully go down but that one has a new regulator and hose. There is probably a better way as well, this is just one of them.
- Work manuals will tell you to disassemble the torch fully once you're done with it - no one really does this and there are no real ill effects. Do, however, inspect the connections and hoses for cracking before opening the bottles, and purge the gases out of the torch when you're done with it - close the bottles, open each valve one by one until the pressure in the regulators goes to zero, then close the valves. If you shut off the torch improperly and it won't re-ignite, this is also the way to "start anew" - bleed, open again, and try again.
- The acetylene bottle should only open 1/4-1/2 turn so in an emergency it can be closed with one twist of the hand. It still gets enough flow to do the work. If you transport the acetylene bottle and have to lay it flat, let it stand vertically for a couple hours before use - the contents are a mixture of gas and liquid confined within a sponge, you want the liquid on the bottom and gas on top or you'll have major, major issues when you try to use it.
- If cutting rusty, flaky metal - WEAR THE FACE SHIELD. Metal WILL splash into your face because only the outside flake is molten. This applies to repairing rusty farm vehicles/equipment, car body repairs and restorations, and other situations where thicker, rusty metal needs to be cut.
- If cutting overhead or the scenario directly above, invest into a leather welding jacket and hood. At the very least, wear several thick layers of clothing that you don't care about - and never wear synthetic clothing because it WILL melt to your body. Wearing long sleeves with a collar is the very least I would do, and welding gloves so you don't worry about giving your hands third-degree burns.
- Proper footwear and leg wear is a must - work boots and pants, or at the very least thick jeans. Regardless of the position, your legs will get hit with sparks and it's really unpleasant.
This is a very cool and useful skill to have, and indispensable if fabricating or working on vehicles subject to the weather. The cutting tip can also technically be used for heating, just stay off the oxygen blast lever and set the flame to neutral.
You should NOT wait for a molten pool before pressing the trigger ! It should be close but not melted, otherwise there will be steel droplets projected everywhere ! If you press before, it gets oxydized thanks to oxygen and it's just sparks !
Ditto. You’ll see it glow and then hit it with the high pressure O2.
I just started cutting. Boss put me on 4in thick steal....I learned that today. My legs and arms got lit up bad
Makes me think this might be a case of "multiple schools of thought," and one person's preferred method from back in like, 1940-something, got taught to their students as _the_ method, which got taught to their students as _the_ method, and so forth and so on.
@@ShadowDragon8685 definitely. But as a welding engineer I can guarantee that from a metallurgy standpoint you don't need for the steel to be molten, and from a safety standpoint ... Well, look at the other comments above 😁
But yeah, good 'ol "I've always done like that" is very common in the steel working industry 😂
Thank you for sharing! I've been trying to find a good intro to cutting torches. This is the one!
You've taken some of the mystery out yet another intimidating tool. Thank you!
Little known fact:
These make quick work of cutting wood as well.
Even better for starting the wood stove in your shop on a really cold winter day !
Remember get no Petroleum based oil's or grease anywhere near the Oxygen. It self combustion
Now to just get this comment higher. This is important.
As an ironworker apprentice I used to carry those oxygen bottles on my shoulders up stairs. Made me big and strong.
Another great video. just 2 safety points for beginners first no lighters or matches in your pockets, shirt pockets especially. second if you are using older torches retrofit them with backfire safety valves between the hoses and torch. body, newer torches are made with the safety valves as part of the torch
Thanks for the video. I got my dads old acetylene torch and tanks from him about a year ago. I have only used them for heating up and bending some metal and need to do some practice cutting. I don't think I have cut metal with a torch since middle school metal shop class. And I'm 36 now... I do need to go get the bottles filled.
A couple of things that I learned growing up in a welding/fab shop. The hottest part of the flame is about one eighth of an inch away from the blue pilots. Once the secondary oxygen valve is adjusted, it should be left alone. Shut the flame down by shutting main oxygen first and fuel last. When relighting light fuel, turn on main oxygen valve fully, then adjust fuel to obtain a neutral flame. You will always have the the same sized flame with only one adjustment. Only tilt torch when cutting thin material. This makes the effective thickness greater. I always try to emulate a cutting machine(ie smooth even motions with no shaking.) I like to use guides to help. Remember FIRE IS HOT. Safety first.
What I was taught in sequence of lighting a torch.
A(cetylene) before O(xygen) or up you go!
same. GOOG Gas then O2. to turn on... Then O2 and Gas to close. GOOG.
I wish you did more videos on forming, placing and finishing concrete! Your amazing. I wish I could come work for you and kick start my learning to propel my career
awesome video :) I haven't used acetylene to weld or cut since college, this video reminded me how useful it is and made me want to get back into it, thanks
Excellent video both my sons will be watching it
Thank you so much your knowledge is greatly appreciated but your explanation is so clear and impeccable thank you 🙏
Love the shop how to videos
Also, soapy water and a foam brush around all fittings, regulators, gauges, lines, etc is an easy way to check for leaks before you start making flames or sparks
Incredibly helpful, thank you so much!
And don't forget that Acetylene is heavier than air and will collect in pits etc... Thanks for another informative video :)
Actually, Acetylene is lighter than air... atomic wgt 26 as compared to air at 29 so will not collect in low areas. It is unstable (reactive) due to the bond stress of the triple bond.
It’s hard to impress on someone what a lethal bomb these things can be. Here’s how I became a believer:
Years ago we needed to work a half-day on a July 4th and we thought it would be fun to set off an oxy-acetylene ‘firecracker’ as we were wrapping up, to go home at lunchtime. We had a standard, throw-away, plastic grocery bag and a set of torches. We lit the torch and got the mix burning just right for cutting. Then we tapped the flame out on a brick and turned the torch up into the grocery bag and filled it with the volatile mix (not even tight like a balloon. It was still quite squishy). We duct taped the bag to the ceiling of a port-a-john and ran a toilet paper fuse to the floor. We lit the ‘fuse’ and ran back a good 75 feet or so. That thing made a bang louder than any off-the-shelf firework, M-80 or otherwise, I had ever been around. It blew the plastic screens out of the top of the john and flung the door wide open, breaking the top hinge on the door. Furthermore it cracked the vent stack that runs up thru the roof. We were all literally dumbfounded 😳 by the explosive power we were able to cobble together, so quickly with just trash found laying around on the site.
After seeing that, never again did I look at a set of torches without an extremely healthy, well deserved, dose of respect.
Similar story, when I was in highschool and our nine fingered shop teacher was explaining the dangers of fuel mixtures he prepared 3 small balloons. One with a squirt of acetylene which he sparked with 2 taped yard sticks with a match one the end like an old cannoneer. It popped in a gentle sooty fireball. The second he put a squirt of oxygen which made a rapid weak flash.
The last balloon he put 2 tiny squirts of oxy and acetylene, so it filled the same size as the other balloon. When he popped this one with the match it blew up with the force of a howitzer. The yard sticks blew across the floor, the 10 years of dust fell from the ceiling, the windows rattled, and the principal came sprinting from the other side of the school.
My teacher was instructed to never do the demonstration again, but I don't think he will need to, that story is still talked about all these years later and I could only imagine what would happen if it were 2 bottles going off.
@@dewidubbs6715 Haha! Maybe not the most well thought out demonstration by a teacher ever, but I bet everyone that witnessed it that day, learned a valuable lesson they never forgot. Same with us. Not the smartest idea ever but the net result was a respect for the power of that stuff, none of us previously had. Lesson learned!
Thanks sr, Very well explained, you answered many of my questions.
I really enjoy your channel you lead by example.
This lightoff procedure is different than I was taught. I open o2 valve on rear all the way, crack the acet valve, light the torch, open acet valve until soot disappears, then open the forward o2 valve until white feathers just disappear. Then sqeeze the o2 lever when the metal turns cherry red (not necessarily molten)
Another great video Scott!! Love how much detail you put into explaining stuff. Thanks
Myth busters did a thing with an oxygen tank and they shot it though like 3 walls. Also in every class I’ve had where we use that were told to make sure not to look at it and it will cause permanent eye damage.
I somewhat remember that episode, i remember it going through cinderblock wall
ua-cam.com/video/ejEJGNLTo84/v-deo.html
@@midas7934 See my reply to Doms House.
It's not the brightness of an electric arc that blinds you, it's the fact that the high temperature of the plasma in that arc means that it emits a lot of ultraviolet light, meaning that arc eye is just a particularly bad case of snow blindness. Treatment is the same for both, as are the symptoms.
On the other hand, the flame in an oxygen/acetylene welding or cutting torch does not reach a high enough temperature to emit a large amount of UV, so the worst you'll get from it is the same you'd get from staring at an incandescent lamp, namely some spots in your eyes that will go away within like 5 minutes tops if your eyes were functioning properly before you started.
Great presentation Can't wait for the next video
I use a white out correction pen to mark lines. It will not burn off and in fact turns red and is more visible.
Nice video. Perfect timing for safety reminders. I’m cutting a Door into a steel train carriage wall tomorrow.
You had me at entry level 😎
Brilliant guys well done
Thank you Master Teacher.
This video is perfectly timed! I just bought a new Victor oxyfuel rig yesterday.
Keep up the good work!
I have to take exception with your explanation of the process of initiating a cut. By waiting for a puddle to form before beginning the cut, you exacerbate the backsplash when you pull the trigger.
Alternately, when you begin to heat the steel, at the point when sparks of burning carbon begin to emanate from the flame, go ahead and pull the trigger. The blast of oxygen coming from the center of the tip will spike the temperature, cleanly initiating the cut.
VERY informative. Thank you
Just what I needed to start my weekend right... A fresh new EC video 😊
The oxygen bottle is a high pressure bottle. It has to be opened all the way in order to seat the valve closed at the top. MiG welding has bottles are the same. Only turn acetylene on 3-4 turns max. The only time you’ll go above 5-7 on your gauges are when you’re cutting 1”+ thick material.
Fun fact, most any flammable gas can be used as fuel for a cutting torch, assuming the correct tip is used. Even gases that are much cheaper to get like propane and natural gas, or if you happen to be in space and hydrocarbons are in short supply, you can even use pure hydrogen. I've even heard of a cutting torch that runs on kerosene.
The reason is that it's not the fuel that's doing the cutting. It's the oxygen. Technically once you start the cut, and are progressing at a steady rate, you could turn off the fuel supply and keep right on cutting.
The reason is that the reaction of hot iron with oxygen is actually quite exothermic, which is chemist talk for "a reaction that produces heat". Since it's also an oxidation reaction, you would be absolutely correct to say you're burning metal. The same reaction is used in an oxygen lance, and I think carbon electric arc gouging as well, in both cases there really is no external "fuel" supply yet the burning continues.
All that is needed is a sufficient flow of oxygen to the reaction site, and a initial source of energy capable of heating the metal to it's ignition point.
One safety tip I was taught is never to carry a bottle on your shoulder. If you trip and fall you are putting your head between the concrete of the shop floor and the heavy tank coming down.
Nothing you do should put the bottle horizontal. If your fuel bottle is sideways make sure to stand it up for at least as long as it has been laying. Acetylene is liquid in the bottle saturated into a spongelike material, and will need to settle to the bottom of the tank again or you will spray it into your equipment and ruin it.
i would love to see someone get one of those bottles up on their shoulder!!!
@@adZHARRISON you gotta be strong!
“Let’s say you’re a grown up” haha, I remember when I thought those existed.
More OA torch please!!!
Bless you good sir, thank you.
One thing you didn't mention is why you use a jet of oxygen to cut the metal. You're essentially burning it, or making it rust really, really fast. You could theoretically turn off the acetylene once you hit that squeeze valve, and it will keep cutting.
I was welding something with my torch about 10 years ago and my friend who was holding until I could get a tack saw my acetylene regulator on fire. I never saw him run so fast! I was able to run over to it and shut it off before I ran. Yes always check for leaks...
Scott, can you tell me what one trade or skill is the one to start with with a view to making some cash as soon as possible without having to spend years as an apprentice? I'm trying so hard to escape the world of software because I think we need to start making tangible things again and I also want to impart some skills to my kids so they can hit the ground running when they leave school.
Depending on what is being cut, I've heard that a Nick with a chisel can help get the pool started. The tiny edge heats more quickly. Perhaps a single swipe with a hacksaw would do the same. Enjoyed the video, Thanks!!
I'll have to try that. Makes sense. Thanks!
Dang I miss my shop!
I've wanted to try this for years.
I would pay money to see Scott Wadsworth in a full beard, wearing those Oakley Holbrooks... Oregon, boy, for sure.
Really is a cool tool.
Very helpful, thank you
Good basic primer. Thank you.
If you're having trouble starting the cut because the steel is too thick or too cold to get up to the ignition temperature, make a nick with a chisel to raise a little metal which will get up to the ignition temperature quickly. Once the burn starts it will keep cutting easily. And clean steel cuts way easier than rusty metal.
The added oxygen when you press the lever is not to push or blast the molten steal out of the piece but actually to burn it, the steel is literally consumed by the flame. The same way that you can ignite magnesium if you preheat iron and add enough O2 iron will burn.
Thanks so much very helpful video keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend
Great video our Blacksmith shop started in the UK back in 1890 they used Town Gas back then before making their own Acetylene etc
Flash back arrestors as mentioned earlier are worth doing a video on.
As you probably know the Acetylene gas is dissolved in acetone ??? and the small bottle is much heavier
In the UK Oxy is in a black bottle and Acetylene is in a maroon bottle
Tricks that I have seen my Dad achieve
Running low on Acetylene once the oxidisation puddle forms he would turn of the Acetylene ;-)
I have seen him burn an 8mm nut of a stud and spin on a new nut, my mind was blown with that one as a kid
Lighting a BBQ and start cooking in less than 3 min with no lighter fuel smell on the food.
Tricks he did that still make me cringe
Testing for a gas leak near the pressure gauge that had a missing bezel - loud bang and the bourdon tube straightened out and flicked the gauge needle 30 feet and embed itself into the wood door just as someone was coming in the workshop.
He sometimes was "as daft as a brush"
Handy using a Propane nozzle and a propane tank with Oxygen for heating applications, great for items that we could not get into the forge.
You said and never use OIL or GREASE on anything to do with Oxy Acetylene
Never use your thumb to check the air pressure of a "plasma cutter" one of our workers learned the hard way.
Thanks for doing the video, my memories from over 35 - 40 years ago
having someone who is competent, and calm act like scott does, makes these things easier. the more your instructor trusts you, the more youll learn