Identifying Oxygen/Acetylene Tanks

[Arc weld]

Not sure if the oxygen cylinders could be sold or not. The acetylene are B(Presto-lite) tanks that are generally purchased by plumbers. I highly doubt anyone would fill the rusty BOC cylinder. You also need caps for the oxygen cylinders but find out if they were available to be sold back in the day. If they weren't, they are useless to you.

 

[paulharvey]

Well, yesterday, I decided to hook up the tanks and see if they wherr 100% empty. Plenty of Oxy after something like 18 years of sitting. Acetylene also was at least partially filled.

Now the bad, when I opened the small square nut on acetylene tank, a small ammount of fuel gas leaked out (saw dust move and smelled it) but when fully open no leak. The Oxy regulator also was hissing, so I think it was leaking from regulator, but I was getting oxy to torch, had nice bright white flame.

Sunday I found in scrap pile at in laws a brand new acetylene regulator, so I grabbed it too.

So I have a B tank and I want to use a BBQ tank, so I need a 510 to 520 adapter?

 

[Shield Arc]

It's not a good idea to open an acetylene bottle all the way! 1/4-turn is the safest.

Did your flame look something like this?

 

[Ken45101]

^^^^ What he said. Oxygen and acetylene can be very dangerous (as in explosive) if not handled properly. Old hoses, tanks, regulators are a very high risk.

 

[paulharvey]

I get what y'all are saying about safety, but the oxy tanks are structurally sound.

I plan to switch to propane when I round up a cheap adapter.

Hoses didn't leak, but I've started pricing new ones. I have seen often (but don't plan on it myself) just "half inching" the hoses at any leaks (half an inch of electric tape lol).

If the oxy regulator is bad, I'm pretty much SOL, there not DIY rebuildable are they. Cheapest new are ~$50 at HF.

Sunday I found 1 acetylene cap, and 2 oxy caps in scrap pile.

 

[ultrarunner]

We use Victor for Medical Gas at the Hospital and when a Doctor tightened the regulator in tight it ruptured the diaphragm.

Victor charge me $20 to repair while I waited...

Lucky, the factory was only 20 minutes away.

 

[Kent B]

Sounds like everyone is in agreement on safety. I have only owned the suitcase sized set until today. I bought a (full size) set off of craigslist that came with a cart, regulators, hoses and torch. I didn't see any "rental" or company names on the collar so I think I'm okay.

My stuff is relatively modern looking. I think I will test all of the hoses and connections with liquid "bubble" soap. I wouldn't put too much trust in hoses that are 20 years old even if they were still in the original wrappers.
If there is still gas in the tanks I would probably use them but guess that no one would refill them without a hydro test.
Ditto on the reply related to seizing property. I would likely call the law myself if the company decided to relieve me of possession. I have heard of that happening.

Thanks for TBN members for posting their info.
Kent B