oxy ace torch help

[JohnRobHolmes]

i got the torch runnng, but the flame seems to be a bit funny shaped. its not fully cone shaped, more like a two or three directional flame. does this mean i need to clean the tip? the primary flame looks good, but the secondary flame isnt as controlled as i remembered it being in shop class.

my eyes hurt now from looking at the flame. should i be wearing tinted glasses, or is it not a big deal?

[Kev808]

get the tips real clean and you should be good to go, dark sunglasses is good enough...thats what i use, hate using welding goggles/glasses

[TwistedCreations]

yes you need to clean the tip real good. poke something small into the holes or there may be something brazed to the end of it from someone cutting with it..

[AdamF]

You can get a cheap pair of those green googles at Harbor Freight. It helps when you actually go to use it, you can see where the tip of the flame is going and make more precise cuts.

[JohnRobHolmes]

sweet. got it fixed guys, thanks.

i just screwed up about 5 hours of tube frame work too. i got it a bit too close to the tubing and it went melty on me. oh well, now i can practice my cutting and brazing on tubing. i need better control if i dont want to screw stuff up again. this thing is awesome!

[aubie]

You might want to go with a smaller tip. I run a 00 and havent melted a tube yet.

[BultacoJim]

The chart below is a guide to help you with the tip selection.

[JohnRobHolmes]

thanks!! the pressure i was running was too much, and i will have to check what tip is on the handle. my "boss" wants me to learn HVAC repair, so that means i get a torch set for myself in a few weeks. score.

[JohnRobHolmes]

i was using a #6 tip, 8 pounds ace, 12 lbs oxygen. no wonder it melted before i could blink! i did practice burning lots of holes after that so i could see it coming better.


i noticed that chart is for welding. with a 00 size of tip and with the correct pressure, i could spot weld my tubes together couldnt I? then go back and braze in the rest for speed. spot welding would make the task much easier.


i do have a #4 tip here too. i will try that out and see how well it does tonight. pressure around 4 or 5 pounds, and less regulation needed on the handle. i was dialing back the pressures to prevent the flame from blowing out. Is the flame blowing out a good indicator of too much pressure? what aobut the noise that the flame makes?

[aubie]

Your flame blowing out as you said sounds like you are running more oxy than acet. When I braze I done have the flame noise as you call it. Just a small blue flame. That way you dont get the tubes red hot and your solder doesnt run immediately to the bottom of the tubes. Hope this helps.

[BultacoJim]

Like Aubie said : (For brazing brake lines) 00 tip, small blue flame (no noise/sound coming from it), equal Oxy/Ace pressure (about 3 PSI) is what you want for brazing/soldering.

A little more oxygen with a “sharp” inner flame for welding.

Practice, practice, practice… :-P :-P