How to Set Up Acetylene Torches for Cutting & Welding

Oxy-Acetalyne torches need careful setup before they can be used properly.

Oxy-Acetalyne torches are a standard tool for cutting or welding non-conductive metals. They combine acetalyne fuel with concentrated oxygen to create a white-hot flame capable of burning or cutting through most metals; adjust the mix for lower heats for welding. Before you can use an oxy-acetalyne torch, however, you must set it up. This process includes attaching gauges and hoses to the fuel tanks, checking for leaks, and ensuring there is no dirt nor grit in the fuel lines. It is not a difficult process, but it can be time-consuming.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Manufacturer specification booklet for both tanks
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pressure regulators
• Fuel tanks
• Fuel hoses

Instructions

1. Ensure the fuel cylinders are secured in place so they will not tip or fall over if they are suddenly disturbed. If the fuel cylinders fall over while you are cutting, the weight could jerk the cutting torch from your hand and cause property damage or injury.

2. Stand off to the side of the acetalyne tank and open the valve of the tank just enough to allow a small hiss of gas to escape. This ensures the tanks are under pressure, and clears away any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on the valve. Turn the valve off after two seconds.

3. Repeat the preceding step for the oxygen tank.

4. Consult your manufacturer specification booklet to determine pressure settings for the regulators. Set them accordingly.

5. Connect the fuel-gas regulator to the acetylene fuel cylinder and tighten it down with a wrench, then do the same with the oxygen regulator and the oxygen tank.

6. Open the valves on both tanks slowly. Open the acetalyne tank's valve only a half-turn, and open the oxygen valve all the way.

7. Connect the hoses to the regulators. The red hose will be attached to the acetalyne regulator, and the green hose to the oxygen regulator.

8. Purge the hoses of any grime or dirt by turning the flow screws in the regulator clockwise to allow the gas to flow through the regulator and into the hose. After five seconds, close the regulator valve by turning the screw counter-clockwise to shut off the flow of gas. Do this for both tanks.

9. Connect the hoses to the cutting torch. The red acetalyne fuel hose will connect to the needle-connector marked "fuel." The green oxygen hose will connect to the needle-connector marked "oxy."

10. Ensure the valves on the torch are closed, then open the regulator screws to test the hoses for leaks. If no leaks are found, close the screws and then purge the hoses of gas by opening the valves on the cutting torch one at a time.

11. Attach the appropriate cutting tip to the cutting torch, then consult the user documentation to determine what gas pressure is appropriate for that specific tip. Open the valves on the fuel and oxygen tanks until the regulators show the pressure indicated by the user documentation. Once you have done this, you are ready to light the torch and begin cutting or welding.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your workspace is well-ventilated before attempting to open the valves on the fuel or oxygen tanks.

References

• Tpub: Oxygas cutting operations
• Welding Tips and Tricks: Cutting Torch