Author	[Modern View]
Fred from MO 09-07-2012 07:58:36 69.55.155.226 Report to Moderator	How many of you use or have flash arrestors on an cutting torch set up? Are they really needed? Or is this one of those OSHA things because someone did something silly a long time ago and the government stepped in? Educate me please!! I would like your experiences to help guide me in purchasing these or not? [Reply]   [No Email]
Mel in SW Iowa 09-08-2012 06:44:04 75.105.60.143 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I bought a new Purox 203 torch set in 1974 that didn't have them. I bought the arrestor set in 1976, but carried them in my torch tool box for several years. One day I borrowed a Purox 203 that looked like it had been cared for at a shop. After using the torch for about 5 minutes, the mixing chamber blew out on both sides of my right hand, sounding like a 12 gauge! Luckily, no shrapnel wounded me! My flash arresters have been installed on mine ever since! Those safety posters and pictures at welding shops aren't just propaganda. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mel in SW Iowa 09-08-2012 06:43:33 75.105.60.143 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I bought a new Purox 203 torch set in 1974 that didn't have them. I bought the arrestor set in 1976, but carried them in my torch tool box for several years. One day I borrowed a Purox 203 that looked like it had been cared for at a shop. After using the torch for about 5 minutes, the mixing chamber blew out on both sides of my right hand, sounding like a 12 gauge! Luckily, no shrapnel wounded me! My flash arresters have been installed on mine ever since! Those safety posters and pictures at welding shops aren't just propaganda. [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 09-08-2012 06:14:16 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   They're standard equipment on most torch sets today... Just use them. They wo't hurt you. I'd also keep them at the torch body and not the regs myself... Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
MarkB_MI 09-08-2012 05:05:27 75.198.98.125 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Note that there are both flashback arrestors and check valves. Check valves are an absolute minimum requirement, and are quite inexpensive. They will at least keep oxygen from flowing backwards into your acetylene regulator, and vice versa. Flashback arrestors will set you back around forty bucks, but are much better than check valves. [Reply]  [No Email]
Keith Molden 09-08-2012 03:59:01 173.81.187.183 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   You really should have them on both the torch and the regulators. Saves the hoses from burning back to the regulators then to the cylinders. We require them in both places at American Electric Power. Most new torches made by Victor and others now have them built in. Just my thoughts, Keith [Reply]  [No Email]
Dusty MI 09-08-2012 04:57:16 76.247.129.251 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Keith Molden, 09-08-2012 03:59:01   How does one know if they are built in. I bought my carry around set about 25 years ago, it seems like that I was told the flash back arrestor was built in them. Dusty [Reply]  [No Email]
1950 MFD 09-07-2012 20:23:24 71.7.61.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I thought they were an added expence untill I watched my brother-in-law blow one of they hoses off his torch. If his hoses weren't old and ready to be replaced anyway, we could have had alot bigger problems. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bleeding Orange SW Iowa 09-07-2012 19:05:16 166.181.3.64 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I have them on both my oxygen/acetylene sets. I don't know about other types of gas torches. Cheap safety up front, versus expensive aftermath. Fortunately, I have no horror stories, just listened to an older, wiser man when he advised me to do it. Since then, no one has told me I wasted my money. I try to learn by others' mistakes when I have the opportunity, but I still make plenty of my own. [Reply]  [No Email]
504 09-07-2012 18:43:19 64.111.61.44 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Several of the new regulators have them built in now, good idea. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dick L 09-07-2012 16:54:48 50.51.157.227 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Never heard of them until I bought a new torch set 35 years ago. The welding supply company told me they were a good idea and I had them put on the invoice. When OSHA came in it was the first thing they made a bee line for. At that time the fellow said it was unusal to find them on torch gages the first time in. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ralphwd45 09-07-2012 15:35:06 66.243.225.112 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I am 73, and been using a torch off and on , since adulthood. I have never heard of them, and probably still wouldn't know of them, if I hadn't read this post. They sound like good insurance to me! I use propane now days, except for welding. I will get those arrestors, for my torch, next time I pick up oxygen. [Reply]  [No Email]
Ken Macfarlane 09-07-2012 13:42:32 142.166.168.2 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   They always have a display of blown up torches at the local welding shop hanging above the arrestors. More added every time I'm in there. That said, I'm a bad guy and don't run them, propane runs such low pressure (I'm at 1-3 psi) it doesn't seem to mix back into the oxygen line. I should get a set on there though, they aren't gonna hurt anything. [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 09-07-2012 13:07:47 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Dean, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   We went years without using them, then the safety department started having little hissy fits! Go ahead and use them, why not be safe? Once they are on the gauges or the torch, you'll never know they are there. :wink: [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/525/flashbacka.jpg/][/URL] [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/flashback2.jpg/][/URL] [Reply]  [No Email]
Rod in MN 09-07-2012 11:50:49 66.242.91.180 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   HI. USE them I spent 8 day"s in hostpitl with 80%of my back burend with 2 and 3rd deg. burnes out of work for 30 day"s. Had to were a special vest for 2 years to keep scars from raiseing up scares are all smooth now not fun Rod in MN [Reply]  [No Email]
JOHNNYfromMI 09-07-2012 09:58:20 74.115.62.95 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I lost all the skin on my right arm. Befor they were required. Use them!!! You never know they were there while operating the torch, but back feed a little gas into the high pressure side of the oxygen regulator and you have a hot problem. I know I've been there. [Reply]  [No Email]
Fred from MO 09-07-2012 09:52:56 69.55.155.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Thanks thats enough responses for me to be a believer in them. [Reply]  [No Email]
AgmanWallistx 09-07-2012 09:51:23 209.86.226.19 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   I taught H.S agriculture for many years and yes they are necessary. I would not use a torch without them. [Reply]  [No Email]
BDT in Minnesota 09-07-2012 08:29:14 66.87.7.194 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Fred,, I would not own a torch without these updates..... A friend and neighbor had a torch set blow on him some time ago...spent his share of time in a burn unit..... not fun........ [Reply]  [No Email]
JMS/.MN 09-07-2012 08:20:10 209.237.125.241 Report to Moderator	Re: Cutting torch flash arresters or not? in reply to Fred from MO, 09-07-2012 07:58:36   Got mine before there was OSHA- just makes sense to lessen the chance of blowing the tank. Mine are on the torch- 50 feet from the tanks. [Reply]  [No Email]