Figure 2-41.--Typical oxyacetylene cylinder bank.
Torch tips and mixers made by different
intended. Hose used for light work has a 3/16- or
manufacturers differ in design. Some makes of
1/4-inch inside diameter and contains one or two plies
torches have an individual mixing head or mixer for
of fabric. For heavy-duty welding and handcutting
each size of tip. Other makes have only one mixer for
operations, hose with an inside diameter of 1/4 or 5/16
several tip sizes. Tips come in various types. Some
inch and three to five plies of fabric is used. Single
are one-piece, hard copper tips. Others are two-piece
hose comes in lengths of 12 1/2 feet to 25 feet. Some
tips that include an extension tube to make connection
manufacturers make a double hose that conforms to
between the tip and the mixing head. When used with
the same general specifications. The hoses used for
an extension tube, removable tips are made of hard
acetylene and oxygen have the same grade, but they
copper, brass, or bronze. Tip sizes are designated by
differ in color and have different types of threads on
numbers, and each manufacturer has its own
the hose fittings. The oxygen hose is GREEN and the
arrangement for classifying them. Tips have different
acetylene hose is RED. The oxygen hose has
hole diameters.
right-hand threads and the acetylene hose has
left-hand threads to prevent switching hoses during
No matter what type or size of tip you select, you
connection.
must keep the tip clean. Quite often the orifice
becomes clogged. When this happens, the flame will
The oxyacetylene torch is used to mix oxygen and
not burn properly. Inspect the tip before you use it. If
acetylene gas in the proper proportions and to control
the passage is obstructed, you can clear it with wire
the volume of these gases burned at the torch tip.
tip cleaners of the proper diameter or with soft copper
Torches have two needle valves, one to adjust the
wire. Do not clean tips with machinist's drills or
flow of oxygen and the other to adjust the flow of
other sharp instruments.
acetylene. In addition, they have a handle (body), two
tubes (one for oxygen and one for acetylene), a
Each different type of torch and tip size requires a
mixing head, and a tip. Torch tips are made from a
specific working pressure to operate properly and
special copper alloy that dissipates heat (less than 60
safely. You can set pressures by adjusting the
percent copper). They are available in different sizes
regulator gauges to the settings listed on charts
provided by the manufacturer.
to handle a wide range of plate thicknesses.
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