Initial Acetelyne cutting torch gauge settings?

[sweettractors]

I have not been in the shop for a while and have got rusty. Are the settings for the gauges pretty close, set at 10 and 30 for cutting up to 1/2 inch steel? We have Victor gauges.The 2 new guys keep me busy keeping the tips cleaned. They are getting too close to the work. One other problem they are having is the flame popping before the cut has even started. Refresher tips needed! Ken Sweet

 

[deereman75]

I have not been in the shop for a while and have got rusty. Are the settings for the gauges pretty close, set at 10 and 30 for cutting up to 1/2 inch steel? We have Victor gauges.The 2 new guys keep me busy keeping the tips cleaned. They are getting too close to the work. One other problem they are having is the flame popping before the cut has even started. Refresher tips needed! Ken Sweet

I recall it being more like 5 and 17 for half inch.

EDIT: it is actualy more like 5 and 30.

 

[arsenix2001]

From what I remember reading in the victor book and what ive used ever since.... 5-6 psi acety 35-40 psi O2. O2 tank valve wide open, acet tank valve never more than 1/4 turn open to eliminate overdraw. Set acet side of cutting handle to a blowing smokeless flame, wide open on the O2 side, then add O2 bypass feed knob till you get a 1 1/2 sharp blue flame for preheat. Heat to a glow and have at it with the handle to apply the cutting O2. If its popping out, your not running enough acetylene in the mix, or over applying preheat O2

 

[dstig1]

We were running about 7 on the Acetylene and 40 for the O2 for cutting 1/4" -3/8" in class.

 

[k0ua]

Also the popping is caused by one or both of two things, The tip is dirty or mashed up. Clean all the holes with a torch tip cleaner. Also likely not enough gas flow to keep it cool. More Ace to start, then adjust oxy 3rd valve for neutral flame. If some of the holes are mashed shut.. get a new tip.

James K0UA

 

[cowski]

i would set it 5 ac and 40 ox .

 

[deereman75]

We were running about 7 on the Acetylene and 40 for the O2 for cutting 1/4" -3/8" in class.

woah, that is a bit to much, welders handbook says like 5 acetylene and 20 o2 for 1/4 inch.

 

[Sockwell]

I had the same question. Went to our the LWS and got a pocket card that lists the pressure settings for both gases by tip size and material thicknesses. BTW, you can get similar cards for the various welding processes. This at least gives you a starting point.

 

[dstig1]

woah, that is a bit to much, welders handbook says like 5 acetylene and 20 o2 for 1/4 inch.

Dunno. We did very little cutting, mostly just to get parts to weld in the thicker stuff (3/8"). This was how he had us set it up and it seemed to work fine.

 

[JB4310]

woah, that is a bit to much, welders handbook says like 5 acetylene and 20 o2 for 1/4 inch.

I'll have to double check mine, but 40 sounds way high to me. I keep them as low as possible and never had a problem cutting, have not had to adjust them in so long that's why I can't remember what they're set at.

JB

 

[ridger]

setting is 12 and 30

 

[TedLaRue]

I was taught that the popping is caused by pre-ignition of the gas inside the torch tip, and that this is caused by sparks flying back up into the torch tip. Rusty, dirty, or painted steel can cause a lot of sparks, and thus a lot of popping. Also, if the gas flow is too low (from low pressure) you are more likely to have pre-ignition because it is easier for a spark to fly upstream into the torch.

For cutting, I think O2 pressure varies with the thickness of the steel, but also the speed with which you are cutting and the angle of the torch. That's probably why we're posting so many different combinations.

 

[crash325]

Another :2cents:
Most of what I will say is basic. One of you that went to welding school should have already said it.

Cutting tip clean & flat, slight 45 degree angle around the outside edge. Clean also means the whole tip, shinny not black. Clear each hole with a tip cleaner or tiny drill. Yes drills those sizes are easy to get and often fit better than a tip tool.

Ac. Gauge pressure needs to match tip size. Look that up on a victor chart. Different tip sizes for different thickness metal, again check a chart.

Never run more than 15 PSI on the Ac gauge. Ac in open container can explode at or above 15 PSI. Hose equals open container.

Light Ac turn up until flame leaves the tip, close off until it just returns to the tip. Add Ox, if flame leaves the tip reduce Ox pressure. Adjust to netural flame, no feathers (rich) or hissing (lean).

Press cutting leaver, if torch blows out reduce OX flow and / or pressure. If it goes rich adjust Ac flow or pressure.

Blow back is most often caused by improper pre-heating. Trying to cut before the metal is hot all the way through or just not hot enough.

Torch should be aimed slightly in the direction of the cut to heat the metal ahead of the cut.

Got to quit that's about 5c worth. :laughing:

 

[yomax4]

20 and 5 will get it done. Don't forget to check your o-rings if it's been a while. They will cause popping as well.
Visit the torch brand website for other settings and safety info.

 

[deereman75]

I remember we had to cut some 3/32 with the torch, and first we tried 5 and 20 (what my dad always used as a carpenter to cut re-bar) and it just melted it in gobs and made a mess. We then looked at welders handbook and tried 2 and 10, and it made a nice clean cut.

 

[deereman75]

Wait, Ken what size tip are you using, if you use a tip that is too big it will make a mess, and will be more likely to pop becuase even if you are using the right amount of gas for the steel, it wont be enough gas for the tip.

 

[Tobias Dunlap]

Your gas pressures will vary between thicknesses of steel and tip size.
I usually run 5 and 35 on mine and it does just fine with a #2 tip.

As for the popping, it sounds like your torch is sucking air. Make sure your O rings in the barrel are in good condition and make sure the tip retaining nut is not leaking.

Hope this helps

Toby

 

[LD1]

Another :2cents:
Most of what I will say is basic. One of you that went to welding school should have already said it.

Cutting tip clean & flat, slight 45 degree angle around the outside edge. Clean also means the whole tip, shinny not black. Clear each hole with a tip cleaner or tiny drill. Yes drills those sizes are easy to get and often fit better than a tip tool.

Ac. Gauge pressure needs to match tip size. Look that up on a victor chart. Different tip sizes for different thickness metal, again check a chart.

Never run more than 15 PSI on the Ac gauge. Ac in open container can explode at or above 15 PSI. Hose equals open container.

Light Ac turn up until flame leaves the tip, close off until it just returns to the tip. Add Ox, if flame leaves the tip reduce Ox pressure. Adjust to netural flame, no feathers (rich) or hissing (lean).

Press cutting leaver, if torch blows out reduce OX flow and / or pressure. If it goes rich adjust Ac flow or pressure.

Blow back is most often caused by improper pre-heating. Trying to cut before the metal is hot all the way through or just not hot enough.

Torch should be aimed slightly in the direction of the cut to heat the metal ahead of the cut.

Got to quit that's about 5c worth. :laughing:

Thats how I was taught:thumbsup:

And I run 8psi and 30-35 psi on my guages

 

[DanD78]

If you have an older torch set I recomend adding check valves at the torch. They come standard on new ones.

Dan

 

[deereman75]

I had bought a brand new blueshield industrial torch kit from air liquide, and it didnt have check valves, oh well I added flash back arestors anyways.