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Dangers of Oxy-Acetylene Welding / Cutting?

N

Nikolas Britton

Member
I need a gas cutting outfit, but I have major reservations about the safety of this stuff...

For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjKRbgGDhHs

This acetylene stuff scares me... The kicker is I build high powered rocket motors as a hobby. At least with rocket motors you don't have to stand right next to them when they decide to explode like a pipe bomb.

Are my fears unjustified, or should I get a plasma cutter instead? Thanks.
 
Depends entirely on what you want to do. A plasma is fab for fab using flat sheet but cutting up a large piece if scrap or the like it may not be so useful.

If you want to gas weld as well as cut, then acetylene is the way to go. If you simply want to cut, propane is the much more cost effective way to go. Propane is inherently much safer than acetylene and much cheaper, too.

Not looked at utube but anyone thinking they are safe, going anywhere near flams, explosive mixtures, etc with a naked flames (or even sparks) needs their head testing.

regards, RAB
 
Look for an adult education class at either a high school or community college in gas welding in your area. It will make you a much safer operator and teach you some very valuable welding skills in a vary short period of time and at a very low cost.
 
quite safe , keep the bottles away from heat, make sure all fittings do not leak and I don't see the problem.If you are that jittery it may not be the thing for you. give it respect,the same as you do with the rockets, commonsense really.
 
You just have to use common sence and you will be OK, agree with getting someone to teach you how to use it. My old ag teacher from high school taught me years after I was out of school.
 
Like anything knowledge and respect of a item will get you a long way.
The gas cutting outfits have been used for years even on rough and tumble job sites.

The most important thing I think you should know is bottles must always be supported in some way. Either a cart or even by tying them to a shop wall. If they fall over they can become a rocket. Not a pretty site.
 
Stop your car and check out how many gallons of explosives you have behind the back seat! There is more potentual probably than a full tank of LP. And I might add that your gas tank on the car is made of just a little more than a tin can. Also when fueling up, you are standing over or near a big boom area.

I'm not here to say a cutting torch is not a good canidate for troubles, but rather alot of stuff is probably not thought of in our day to day play.
 
The first one I saw was on a trailer in high school looked like a big pot bellied stove and you added water to the carbide to get your gas the Oxygen did come in a bottle though. Took up half of a big shop. But I'm older than "S" well maybe not that old yet.
Walt
 
It's a good question to post here, I've picked up on a lot of safety information from reading threads about it here, aside from the safety programs we follow in the construction industry.

Once you are educated about the safety aspect of using an oxygen/acetylene torch, it's like anything else with hazards, follow the rules and you'll be fine, don't follow the rules and you could be seriously injured or dead.
 
I'm more interested in the rocket motors, where can I get more information on them. I have always just messed with the little Estes kits,etc.

Gene

PS. Used a torch for years no problems, just dont get any oil around the regulators or connections, and dont drop the lit torch on your leg like I did.


Gene
 
Always keep the acetylene tank in an upright position. Always make sure the hose is not under where you are cutting so a piece of slag doesn't burn through the hose. Always wear eye protection. I have worked with a torch for over 40 years with no problem. Use common sense.
 
If the hazzard is not there then it wont blow up.
I never heard of a plasma cutter blowing up.
I would go plasma cutter.
Acetylene is a unstable gas (hence acetone)
PS- Worked 7 years in scrap metal cutting
 
oxyacet torches are very safe if ya follow there directions, as others have said they are used all over with very few serious accidents, a few burns and such, but that can happen just as easy with a plasma cutter too. and for home shop versitility a torch beats a plasma 10 to 1 i mean you can cut up to about 3 inch plate with the same basic torch set just a different tip. and ya can do all kindsa neat things a plasma wont do, like burning out bolts or cutting nuts without damaging the threads of the bolt. and for what its worth, i have heard of a local guy who somehow did some serious nerve damage to his arm from the shock of a plasma cutter, dont know the whole story but just pointing out that plasma isnt completely foolproof. and torches are super portable, not air or electric needed, anywhere ya can take them they will work, convenient when ya need a part off a old truck outback or somewhere
 
It's awfull tough to heat to loosen rusted frozen parts with a plasma cutter.

It's awfully tough to put two pieces of light steel together (gas weld or braze) with a plasma cutter.


But if you get the plasma tool you might as well get the plotting table and software so you can cut a million little trinkets out of sheet steel to sell at the local flea market.


I'd take the oxy-acetylene first.

It is nice having something in the shop to trim stainless and aluminum sheet but.......
 
Oxy-Acetylene setup can be just as safe as any other tool in the shop if the proper safety precautions are followed. I would strongly recommend reading the Victor Heating and Cutting guide. It can be purchased for a few dollars at most welding supply shops and possibly book stores. (Most welding supply outfits will just give it to you for free) It is very thorough on covering safety, setup and use for O/A equipment and gives the basics for welding and cuttig. An O/A setup is much less expensive to operate and maintain than a plasma setup and more versitile as well. If possible, I would also look into taking a basic O/A class at your local trade school or community college if one is nearby.
 
The O/A set up is about as safe to use tool as i've ever used. i had one for 35+ years and so far not any accidents, but just use regular commone sense and get a good instruction manual and follow it to the letter. some welding suppliers will show you the basics and even a good welding shop would guide you through the process. O/A can cut and weld steel, and heat to bend steel. very handy to have around the farm to fix things.
 
SAFETY FIRST -

If you are IGNORANT of safety while using such equipment, then you are SUBJECT to injury.

However, I like to keep my torch cart as far extended as possible from the work area. In fact, the torch is isolated in the other room of my shop and all that is in the way on the floor is the torch hoses.

Knowing how to properly shut down the torch and keeping flammable items away from the unit itself will greatly reduce risks to UNDER 5%.
 
Just because some idiots made a video with a accident on purpose or a fake video for stupidity?? There are pros and cons to using each and each has it's best purpose. First enroll yourself in a basic welding class at local community college. If you are the type that ignores all safety taught then you are too stupid to own either one.

http://www.esabna.com/euweb/oxy_handbook/589oxy2_1.htm

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/faq/plasma/plasmavsoxyfuel.html

End of story....

BOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM !!!!!!!!! dont' jump :)
Oxy Acet Safety
 
If you are comfortable around gasoline, look a a Petrogen torch. Works the same way, just uses gasoline and oxygen. Easier to refill and you don't have to worry about tilting the canister on it's side. I can't remember, but I think they can cut thicker steel also.
 
One other thing is the danger of hot slag popping concrete from the floor . If doing heavy cutting I put a piece of scrap metal for the slag to puddle on otherwise BANG
 
I started with Oxygen Propane and have never used acetylene in my shop. Was told it was lots safer and still cuts okay. Same regulators. Need different tip for torch. Probably some shortcomings. Fine for my use.
 
I've had a set of tanks and torches for 50+ years. Never had any trouble with them. don't use them very often any more, but when i need to heat a bolt or something that is rusted shut, they are handy. Beats hauling a lawn tractor down to the welding shop to have a rusted pivot heated!
Only had two scares--one when the oxygen regulator blew out, as i turned it on! By the time the other guys caught up with me, i had run 2 blocks, on my wooden leg, scared s-less! Seems the guy who used it before me, didn't turn out the tee handle on the regulator, to relieve the pressure! The other time, i lit up the wooden leg, by sitting with my leg under a car, while i welded in a new rocker panel! the other guy saw it, and dowsed it and me with the water from the sanding bucket!
Yeah, if you are a timid person, and believe everything you see and hear on TV and radio--better not get Oxy/acetylene system. Haul yer stuff to a weld shop and pay thru yer nose!
 
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