Cutting Torch Safety and Setup Dustin Benningfield Nelson County ATC Did you know? -Oxy-Fuel cutting was first developed in 1903 by French Engineers -Cutting flame reaches temperatures around 6500 degrees to turn steel into a molten state -Cutting torches are designed to cut carbon steel and not aluminum or stainless steel -Acetylene and Propane are the most common fuels for oxy-fuel processes Safety materials we will need: • Safety Glasses • Welding Gloves • Leather Boots Objectives -I can identify the different components of a torch cutting system and their functions -I can understand and demonstrate proper setup and shut down of the cutting torch system safely -I can understand and be aware of the safety hazards associated with pressurized cylinders and know how to store, move, and handle them It’s Dummy Proof! The threads on the ends of the twin hose for oxygen acetylene are color coded. Green for oxygen and red for acetylene. As if that isn’t enough they are contrasting threads. This means they will only fit one type of regulator and only the proper torch connection Likewise regulators are easily distinguishable once you know what to look for. Fuel cylinders (propane, acetylene) usually have internal thread valve fittings. Oxygen and other non-flammable gases have male threaded valves. So they will only connect to the proper cylinders Regulator Components Manual Cutting Torch System Cylinders-2 Regulators-2 Hose Torch Caps-2 What is a Valve? -A valve is a device that regulates, directs, or controls the flow of gases, liquids by opening of closing. -Located at the top of the cylinders, and on the torch body -Lefty loosey, righty tighty! Torch Components Cylinder Sizing Cylinders come in all shapes and sizes and are measured in cubic feet. Smaller cylinders do not have threaded tops for caps so they should always be handled with extra care. Cylinder Caps Cylinder caps thread down onto the cylinder to cover and protect the valve. It is very important that they are in place any time the cylinder is being moved or not in use. See How a Cylinder Could React without Proper Cap Protection Cylinder Storage When stored outside cylinders should always be in an approved locked cabinet. Stored upright with a wall between the fuel gases and the other non-flammable types While being stored cylinders should always be capped and upright. If shop is not equipped with a cylinder storage cabinet secure them to a wall or anchored base with chain Cylinder Moving Anytime a cylinder needs to be moved it needs to have a cap on top of it. It can be moved on an approved cylinder cart that it can be secured with chains. Or if your feeling more adventurous it can be tipped on one side and rolled across the bottom edge but I wouldn’t recommend this to new welders, especially if they have to move cylinders a longer distance. What is a Regulator??? • A pressure regulator is a device that reduces the input pressure of a fluid or gas to a desired value at its output. Setting up the Acetylene Regulator -Ensure that the valves on your torch are turned fully clockwise so that they are closed -Thread the male end on the gauge marked “acetylene” into the female threads at the top of the acetylene valve on the cylinder • Once the threads become hand tight, turn snugly tight with a wrench (brass threads so don’t get carried away tightening and use a wrench not channel locks!) Installing the Oxygen Regulator • To install the oxygen regulator just turn the female threads of the regulator onto the male threads you will find on the valve at the top of the oxygen cylinder • Hand tighten, then turn snugly tight with a wrench careful not to cross thread or over tighten I have my regulator on….now what? -Next step is to adjust our working pressure on the regulators -Ideal fuel pressure is around 5 to 7 psi (pounds per square inch) -Ideal oxygen pressure is around 40 psi -Open the acetylene valve by turning it clockwise -Twist the adjusting screw clockwise until the pressure on the working gauge reads 5 lbs -Open the oxygen valve by turning it clockwise -Now turn the oxygen adjusting screw until the oxygen working pressure gauge reads 40 lbs. The torch is ready to be lit and to cut • Now we will start the process of shutting the system down and getting it ready to move or store. • Turn both your oxygen and acetylene tanks valves clockwise to close them • Next turn the spring tensioner in the front of the regulators counterclockwise until they feel “loose” Don’t overdo it here either please! Now it’s time to BLEED! Once both regulators “feel” as if they don’t have any spring pressure on them the valves on the torch can be opened by turning them clockwise. This will bleed the lines of the gas trapped between it and the tanks. Watch as your working pressure drops to nothing to ensure a full bleed.
