flash back arrestor valves

[big bubba]

finally installing flash back arrestor valves on oxy/acet torch. should have been done years ago
do you prefer the valves mounted on torch body, or those that attach to regulators? pros & cons?
local suppliers charge around $70+ for a set, as usual, i can get them on Amazon for much less. pros or cons to that as well?
thx in advance

 

[Industrial Toys]

I use them on the torch end. I also got quick connects which are really sweet. Especialy if you have several torches.

 

[WranglerX]

Some new torches (Victor for one) have flashback arrestors built into torch bodies....Many older torches don't...

My thought process is flashback arrestors at torch handle protect hoses and regulators.... Flashback arrestors at regulators only protect regulators and may make hoses "expendable" and may need for replacement if catastrophic flashback event occurs....

Dale

 

[Scrambler82]

It sound reasonable to put the Arrestors on the Torch end but the ones I got recommend mounting on the Tank end.

My Torches are Victor also and I think they are protected in the torch.

So I'm in the middle here, not sure what end is right, although I do see the logic of mounting the arrestor on the torch end of the hose.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess basically, you have the fire at the torch end. I suppose your hoses could get burned through by accident. I can't say I ever saw any torch accidents. My worst was a faulty regulator blowing up a hose by over pressure only.

 

[RNeumann]

Most torches have them/it built in. Typically the ones purchased protect the tank. If anything were to happen at the connections or hose you would be “unprotected” if they were added at the torch. My vote would be to install them at the tank.

 

[Cord]

My torch does not have them available as an option (Victor 300) so I put the arrestors at the tank. I've seen torch hoses catch on fire. Only option is to shut off the tank and hope for the best. The hose is $50. My goal is to protect that acetylene tank. Flashback demo with torch explosions - YouTube

 

[big bubba]

purchased med duty Smiths torch set in '71. they work as flawlessly as they did back then. do not have arrestor valves built in, etc. so will add them. per advice, i may install valves on both torch end & regs. many thanks for the advice, i've tempted fate long enough
btw very partial to Smiths. well machined, refined product. interestingly, they still produce the same model # for the cutting torch. thx again for the safety tips

 

[radios1]

if you ever had a flashback at the torch, you'll appreciate how good it is to only have the gas in the torch ignite, rather than have the entire hose and regulator explode!.

 

[WranglerX]

Also there are two version of flashback arrestors, one for torch end, one for regulator end, both are one way check valves, installed in wrong location you will get a no flow situation....IF FB arrestors have directional flow arrows, they always point toward torch tip...

Dale

 

[yomax4]

Put them on both if you feel like spending the dough but you really don't want fire getting into your acetylene tank so on the regs for sure. $20 hose not so bad. Blowing a big hole in the ground, Not so good.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Put them on both if you feel like spending the dough but you really don't want fire getting into your acetylene tank so on the regs for sure. $20 hose not so bad. Blowing a big hole in the ground, Not so good.

It is difficult to blow up an acetylene cylinder unless the pressure is 0. Acet has to have oxy to burn and the flow outward from the cyl keeps it from creeping inside. Burn yes, explode, not likely. Ole man Murphy dos not play by the rules though. Better safe than sorry.

Ron

 

[Cord]

With modern cylinders, this is significantly less likely. Still, the stuff has a well earned reputation as being very unstable. The principal factors to increasing the unstability of acetylene is pressure and heat. Both of which are a resultant from a back fire. And no, acetylene DOES NOT need oxygen to decomponse. Whatever that stuff is that they put in the acetylene cylinders is put there to prevent and slow the decomposition.

https://ehrs.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2018-02/Acetylene Fact Sheet.pdf
https://www.boconline.co.uk/en/images/Facts-about-acetylene_tcm410-262700.pdf

 

[MinnesotaEric]

finally installing flash back arrestor valves on oxy/acet torch. should have been done years ago
do you prefer the valves mounted on torch body, or those that attach to regulators? pros & cons?
local suppliers charge around $70+ for a set, as usual, i can get them on Amazon for much less. pros or cons to that as well?
thx in advance

Torch end. If mounted on the regulator ends, you can oxidize your gas lines.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I use them on the torch end. I also got quick connects which are really sweet. Especialy if you have several torches.

Use O2 compatible grease on the o-rings?

If not, try this stuff: CHRISTO-LUBE MCG-111 OXYGEN O-RING LUBE GENUINE CHRISTO-LUBE MCG-111 OXYGEN ORING LUBE 5g SQUEEZE TUBE MFG PACKAGING 723 | eBay

 

[radios1]

It is difficult to blow up an acetylene cylinder unless the pressure is 0. Acet has to have oxy to burn and the flow outward from the cyl keeps it from creeping inside. Burn yes, explode, not likely. Ole man Murphy dos not play by the rules though. Better safe than sorry.

Ron

not true, I saw a video of an acetylene tank dropped off a truck and explode with great force!!.. yes, just dropping it caused it to explode!. and this was at a refiller!..

 

[radios1]

Use O2 compatible grease on the o-rings?

If not, try this stuff: CHRISTO-LUBE MCG-111 OXYGEN O-RING LUBE GENUINE CHRISTO-LUBE MCG-111 OXYGEN ORING LUBE 5g SQUEEZE TUBE MFG PACKAGING 783255123 | eBay

or just use Teflon or Silicone grease, a lot cheaper!.. it's petroleum grease you need to avoid!..

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have not had them long enough to think about lubricating them. And I really rarely use a torch. I always wanted and got one of those three foot long scrappers torches and have a dedicated brazing torch as well, so it's nice to switch between torches easily. Good to remember about the grease though.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have not had them long enough to think about lubricating them. And I really rarely use a torch. I always wanted and got one of those three foot long scrappers torches and have a dedicated brazing torch as well, so it's nice to switch between torches easily. Good to remember about the grease though.

Smith now Miller torches will chew through o-rings without a little lube.

or just use Teflon or Silicone grease, a lot cheaper!.. it's petroleum grease you need to avoid!..

I've likely a lifetime supply of the MCG-111 at this point but you say that telfon or silicon is inert with ACL and O2. I did not know that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Curious if I can use white Wakefield Thermal Compound (silicone grease) that I have a limited (gettin on) lifetime supply