oxy/acet vs oxy / propane

[ihuntbear]

I don't see any thing about this.what do you guys prefer for cutting steel,oxy / propane or oxy / acetelyne?? I know some of you prefer plasma but I don't have one.To much $$

 

[LD1]

I have used both, and when set up properly, they both seem to do just fine.

For me, propane is a little more difficult to set up, beause I grew up using acy and then we kinda inherited a set of propane torches, and it takes a while to get used to.

I was always taught to set up the oxy/acy by starting with just acy on, light the fire, and then turn it down just until the flame comes back into contact with the tip. Then add oxygen just until the inner blue cone dissappears. Takes about 2 seconds to set up and cuts like butter.

If you try the oxy/propane this way, it wont cut anything but sheetmetal. Propane, I leave the propane only flame about 1/4" off the tip, and add oxygen until the inner blue cone dissappears, and then a little more oxgen. For me it is just a little more difficult to set up. Propane deffinatally uses more oxy, but everyone says that the cost difference between propane and acy is enough to make up the difference.

I have also read somewhere that the propane has more BTU's farther away from the tip than acy. which makes it better for cutting really thick materials, but the acy is a hotter burning gas, and it doesn't take as long to pre-heat on the thinner stuff.

 

[DanD78]

Like said with the proper torch tip propane works great and is cheeper. Just remember to do a good job you should really change tips to match the thickness of material cut. If you just want to hack something off a larger tip will do. With my Harris torch can cut 2" plate with no problem.

Propane does not work well for fusion welding and is ok for brazing. For these tasks I use Acet.

For rose bud or cutting I use propane.

Dan

 

[actionaj]

I have used both but I prefer oxy/acetylene. I don't see using propane as that much of a savings unless your running a scrape yard and doing massive amounts of cutting. A lot less fuss with acetylene. IMO

 

[powerpace]

Take a look at this. Sounds very interesting.
Petrogen | Petrogen Oxy-Gasoline Cutting Systems Home Page Oxy-Gasoline system

 

[Statchew]

Depending on what the job is:
Neat work: oxy/acet is better is it can be finely tuned.
Bulk destruction : oxy/propane is a lot cheaper.
Plasma is absolutely fantastic for doing intricate body work on automobiles.
Cuts without blistering paint. Cut width is only pencil thickness.Can cut any shape. Is very very simple to setup and use. Problem is initial cost. Requires an air compressor as well as plasma cutter.

The Statchew

 

[LD1]

Take a look at this. Sounds very interesting.
Petrogen | Petrogen Oxy-Gasoline Cutting Systems Home Page Oxy-Gasoline system

I looked into them about a year back. It is a really cool setup but their lowest cost model was $2000. And you'd still need to provide the gasoline and oxygen. Considering you gan get a good set of oxy/acy torches AND a plasma cutter for less, I did not buy the set up.

 

[westbrooklawn]

I use propane and it works great for my purposes. The best part about it is that I always have a spare propane tank around (borrow one from the grill if need be). If a spare isn't available you can always get propane 24/7 by exchange at the corner convenience store... not so easy with acy. It is important that you get the propane cutting tips... standard acy tips don't work well with propane.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

When I bought my outfit a few months ago, I decided to start the learning process on propane mostly due to supply. I can get my tank filled 2 blocks away. I have to drive 20 miles to fill Ace, and they're only open on weekdays during normal business hours.

I really like the propane. I have a half tank of ace that I've played around with, but I can make a better cut with the propane than I can with the ace.

I still use acetylene for heating to bend, etc. This is mostly just because the welding tip I have is an acetylene tip.