Original Posted By: "tkreiner"
Frustrated in Arkansas. I took my 050. aluminum sheet metal gas tank to the localsheet metal fabricators , and they tell me it will be a couple of days beforethey can weld it . I wait two weeks and call and they tell me they are afraidto try it because they feel the tig machine they have won't weld that thin.... Why didn't they tell me that two weeks ago. DANG!!!!Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Basic Torch Safety
Pietenpol-List: Basic Torch Safety
Original Posted By: "Gary Boothe"
Recently, I observed, and intervened in a situation that could have become dangerous- even deadly.A number of us were working on equipment when one of the guys was about to beginbrazing a cast iron piece, and upon lighting his torch, we heard a series ofPops. The sound was staccato - almost like low intensity machine gun fire, promptingme to immediately shut off both the Ox and acetylene. The Popping ceasedmoments later...What was occurring was due to several factors, including: a runaway acetyleneregulator, faulty check valves, and, last but not least, bad O-Rings inside thetorch handle.The issue with the regulator was solved by Welding Supply to the tune of $140 fora new regulator. Since they were out of the check valves, we removed themfrom the torch handle, and continued on. While troubleshooting, we noted that the torch tip wasn't flowing gas -- so withtank valves turned off - I wrapped my hand around it and attempted to removeit from the handle. As many of you know - or should know - Victor 100 torches,including all their clones like the Uniweld, and Harbor Freight torches -use two O-Rings to seal the gases from one another and, since they are compliantseals, the tip is to be HAND TIGHTENED ONLY.The torch in question not only had a wrench tightened tip, the O-Rings were cut,allowing the gases to mix INSIDE THE HANDLE... Exactly why the O-Rings wereadded to the design in the first place; to eliminate mixing within the handle!In the pic you'll see the handle end of the torch tip - where it enters the torchhandle, along with the two O-Rings. The O-Rings themselves are metric, andthey are available from Amazon at this link:http://www.amazon.com/Uniweld-TXRK-Tip- ... I1JM9GI've also located the same O-Rings in Viton, which should cost a whopping 3 centsmore each, assuming we can buy then in the right volume. I'm attempting toget a quotation on 300 pieces of each to keep on hand in my shop and supply toanyone needing some for their torch collection.Now - please make sure your torch is ready to go, and if you have any issues thatdon't seem right, STOP. Figure out what the issue is, or take your rig toa competent welding supply shop. They will assist at no cost for trouble shooting.If, on the other hand, like the torch above, and the 8 torch tips in my own collection,which had cracked O-Rings.... Upgrade now and ensure that anyone usingyour torch is using a tool that's not going to hurt them.--------Tom KreinerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ttachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/torc ... __________
Recently, I observed, and intervened in a situation that could have become dangerous- even deadly.A number of us were working on equipment when one of the guys was about to beginbrazing a cast iron piece, and upon lighting his torch, we heard a series ofPops. The sound was staccato - almost like low intensity machine gun fire, promptingme to immediately shut off both the Ox and acetylene. The Popping ceasedmoments later...What was occurring was due to several factors, including: a runaway acetyleneregulator, faulty check valves, and, last but not least, bad O-Rings inside thetorch handle.The issue with the regulator was solved by Welding Supply to the tune of $140 fora new regulator. Since they were out of the check valves, we removed themfrom the torch handle, and continued on. While troubleshooting, we noted that the torch tip wasn't flowing gas -- so withtank valves turned off - I wrapped my hand around it and attempted to removeit from the handle. As many of you know - or should know - Victor 100 torches,including all their clones like the Uniweld, and Harbor Freight torches -use two O-Rings to seal the gases from one another and, since they are compliantseals, the tip is to be HAND TIGHTENED ONLY.The torch in question not only had a wrench tightened tip, the O-Rings were cut,allowing the gases to mix INSIDE THE HANDLE... Exactly why the O-Rings wereadded to the design in the first place; to eliminate mixing within the handle!In the pic you'll see the handle end of the torch tip - where it enters the torchhandle, along with the two O-Rings. The O-Rings themselves are metric, andthey are available from Amazon at this link:http://www.amazon.com/Uniweld-TXRK-Tip- ... I1JM9GI've also located the same O-Rings in Viton, which should cost a whopping 3 centsmore each, assuming we can buy then in the right volume. I'm attempting toget a quotation on 300 pieces of each to keep on hand in my shop and supply toanyone needing some for their torch collection.Now - please make sure your torch is ready to go, and if you have any issues thatdon't seem right, STOP. Figure out what the issue is, or take your rig toa competent welding supply shop. They will assist at no cost for trouble shooting.If, on the other hand, like the torch above, and the 8 torch tips in my own collection,which had cracked O-Rings.... Upgrade now and ensure that anyone usingyour torch is using a tool that's not going to hurt them.--------Tom KreinerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ttachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/torc ... __________
RE: Pietenpol-List: Basic Torch Safety
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Thanks, Tom.Gary BootheNX308MB-----Original Message-----
Thanks, Tom.Gary BootheNX308MB-----Original Message-----
Pietenpol-List: Basic Torch Safety
Original Posted By: John Franklin