First cut.

[Shield Arc]

All this talk about using propane to cut / burn with. I got to thinking, I haven't burned with propane since the mid 1980s. Worked on a joint venture with another company, they were the prime, so we used most of their equipment. Anyway, 1/2-inch thick flatbar, # 2 propane tip in my Victor torch. 10-pounds of propane, 40-pounds of oxygen. Not to bad, being as I can't even remember the last time I used a torch.

 

[yomax4]

With Cuts like that, You may as well sell me the Ellis 1800. Nice work.

 

[Shield Arc]

Thank you! Yeah that Ellis is one sweet saw, I don't envision that saw going anywhere.


I remember now, the last time I used a torch was a couple years ago when I revamped the grapple to fit my tractor. I used the plasma to cut slots in the bottom, but used the O/A torch to cut the circles in the sides to help lighten it up.

 

[Big Wave D]

What's your personal verdict?

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm not a real fan of propane, but maybe because I'm a creature of habit. That joint venture I was talking about, I was rigging full time, but got elected to go in on a Saturday to build a unit for a crane. So in my life time I have that Saturday, and this cut using propane! It's OK, nothing in the world wrong with it. If I had to throw any stones, I'd say it is just a touch slower than acetylene, but not by much. Well worth it for the difference in cost between propane and acetylene! :thumbsup:

 

[Big Wave D]

Curiosity, then why would you have had any propane cutting tips for your own torch equipment?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have never used propane, but used a natural gas/O2 torch when working in a fab shop. They had the propane piped all over, moved an O2 tank around on a cart and just plugged in. Far superior cutting than Acetelene. Even manual cuts were clean and no slag to clean off. Did not even have to hit with a grinder even on a bevel cut. I think I will check on getting the tips and set my cart up for both gases if it works. I do a lot of OA welding on thin stuff or if I want to do a one pass job like that thread on the propane tank/roller conversion. Also do brazing both bronze and silver and soldering of copper; so, propane works for that also. Acetelene is getting priced out of sight with the low volume demand, due to these other new proceses on the market. Used MAPP gas once but was unimpressed, it has gone away also now, I guess.

Back in the 90s a company came out with a torch system using gasoline and O2. The demonstrations were awsome to watch. No slag and no heat below the cut. They had a lady put her bare hand 12" below the cut and all she got was some fine black ash. Very claen cuts also. It never caught on or was not accepted by the safety police so do not see anymore. Always wanted to try it but never worked any where where it became a tool.

I am still a O/A fan as I am better at it than arc. Grew up on O/A welding of steel piping systems up to 6".

Time marches on!!

Ron

 

[eastexan]

I have never used propane, but used a natural gas/O2 torch when working in a fab shop. They had the propane piped all over, moved an O2 tank around on a cart and just plugged in. Far superior cutting than Acetelene. Even manual cuts were clean and no slag to clean off. Did not even have to hit with a grinder even on a bevel cut. I think I will check on getting the tips and set my cart up for both gases if it works. I do a lot of OA welding on thin stuff or if I want to do a one pass job like that thread on the propane tank/roller conversion. Also do brazing both bronze and silver and soldering of copper; so, propane works for that also. Acetelene is getting priced out of sight with the low volume demand, due to these other new proceses on the market. Used MAPP gas once but was unimpressed, it has gone away also now, I guess.

Back in the 90s a company came out with a torch system using gasoline and O2. The demonstrations were awsome to watch. No slag and no heat below the cut. They had a lady put her bare hand 12" below the cut and all she got was some fine black ash. Very claen cuts also. It never caught on or was not accepted by the safety police so do not see anymore. Always wanted to try it but never worked any where where it became a tool.

I am still a O/A fan as I am better at it than arc. Grew up on O/A welding of steel piping systems up to 6".

Time marches on!!

Ron

You may be correct, but what I understood as to the rise of acetylene prices was due to the high demand and the lack of supply because one of the main factories in the US had an accident and had to close. As to it opening back up again, I haven't heard.

Right now, some or most of it has to be imported.
I've heard that the price is beginning to come down a little.

 

[Shield Arc]

Curiosity, then why would you have had any propane cutting tips for your own torch equipment?

My acetylene bottle is getting low, I figured a $7.00 tip was cheaper than having my bottle filled.

 

[rhett]

My acetylene bottle is getting low, I figured a $7.00 tip was cheaper than having my bottle filled.

lol, got myself a small set of LP/NG tips (000, 00, 0 & a 1) and still need to refill the Acetylene bottle. burning with LP has been awhile for me too, but the smell of cutting with it, I cannot forget, kind of a sharp odor.

i have made a Propane Rosebud Cup for my Acetylene Rosebud to give LP a try with it. the idea was originally from "farmall" over at WW, great idea to help in reducing flame outs and the need for a large Acetylene bottle.