Contributing Writer
- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Practicing safe oxyfuel cutting
Tips for proper equipment use
- By Chet Strickland
- January 10, 2002
- Article
- Oxyfuel Cutting
Research, development, and field experience have resulted in the evolution of reliable equipment and safe installation, operation, and servicing practices. However, accidents can occur when equipment is improperly used or maintained. Most safe practices are based on common sense, while others may require technical volumes to explain. The following tips will help you use your oxyfuel equipment properly and safely.
Gas Cylinder Valve
Gas cylinders always should be upright and fastened securely to a wall, welding cart, or similar structure to keep them from tipping over. The fasteners must be made of nonflammable material.
Before attempting to attach the regulator to the cylinder valve, turn the valve opening away from you, open it slightly, and then close it. This should remove any loose dirt from the valve opening that could damage the regulator inlet nipple.
Remember, the valve opening and the inlet nipple should be shiny and clean inside and outside. This is particularly important for the oxygen cylinder. Oil or grease in the presence of oxygen is flammable or even explosive. Never allow oxygen to contact oil, grease, or other flammable substances.
Pressure Regulator
Before opening the cylinder valve, make sure the pressure regulator adjusting screw, or T handle, is turned out, or counterclockwise. Charge the regulator by cracking the cylinder valve open slowly. This will prevent damage to the regulator seats from the sudden heat of compression.
Once the inlet or high-pressure gauge reading stops rising, open the oxygen cylinder valve all the way. The most an acetylene cylinder valve should be opened is 1-1/2 turns and, preferably, no more than a three-quarter turn.
Remember that leaving the T handle turned in, thinking it will save your settings or save you time the next day, is wrong. As the contents of the cylinder decrease, the regulator outlet pressure increases, so the settings will change. Even if you are using a top-of-the-line, two-stage regulator, leaving the T handle turned in is dangerous and damaging to the regulator. Turn the valve off when the regulator isn't in use and back out the T handle.
When the regulator is not under pressure, make sure that both gauge needles are resting on the peg at zero. If they aren't, your pressure settings will be wrong and you may be sending back partially filled cylinders to your supplier. Be sure to use regulators with flashback valves.
Never alter a regulator in any way. If at all possible, do not use adapters. Also, never stand in front of or behind a regulator when opening the cylinder valve. Always stand where the cylinder is between you and the regulator.
When a regulator is new or has come back from the repair shop, it has a plastic protector cap on the inlet nipple. Save it—when the regulator is not in use (not attached to a cylinder valve), put the cap back on it. If you want a nice, clean regulator, put it in a resealable plastic bag. If you work in a dusty shop, you can put the bag over the regulator when it's on the cylinder, which keeps it looking nice and new.
Gas Hose
The twin red-green oxyfuel gas hose is the cheapest and the most overlooked item. It also is to blame for many accidents.
If you use your cutting equipment for production work, keep a spare hose on hand. Do not repair the hose unless it's in good condition. Do not use tape to repair a hose leak. Use the shortest hose possible because the longer the hose, the more oxygen and fuel gas are wasted and the more pressure will drop at the torch. Keep excess hose off the floor if possible.
Cutting Tip
Always make sure your equipment is rated for the tip size you have selected. Wrong tip size can result in flashback. Always keep a spare tip available. Flashback arresters can provide a certain measure of protection by preventing a flashback from reaching upstream equipment.
Cutting Torch
When lighting the torch, be sure the spark lighter is away from the tip, to the side. Do not obstruct the gas flow. Don't use the torch as a hammer or a prybar.
With a little care and safe practices, your oxyfuel equipment can give you many years of service.
Photos courtesy of Smith Equipment, Watertown, S.D.
About the Author
Chet Strickland
866-223-9057
About the Publication
subscribe now
The Welder, formerly known as Practical Welding Today, is a showcase of the real people who make the products we use and work with every day. This magazine has served the welding community in North America well for more than 20 years.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
A welding instructor’s career path to working with metal
The importance of welding procedure specification (WPS)
Keys to adopting welding automation successfully
Urban Steel Rockstars festival will highlight welding and steel industry
Sensors use AI to assist robotic weld grinding
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY