1. Oxy Fuel Cutting Systems Basic Setup & Use
Tim Turner

2. Typical Torch System Oxygen Cylinder Acetylene Cylinder
Method of Securing the cylinders
Caps
Regulators
Backflash arrestors
Hoses
Torch Body
Torch Head
Torch Tip
Clothing and Eye/Face Protection

3. Oxygen Cylinders Oxygen is very pure - 99%
Pressure is about 2200 psi at 700 F
Hydrostatic tested to 3300 psi
Forged from a single piece of steel - no welding
Minimum of 1/4” thickness
Annealed periodically
Stored away from combustibles
5’ high wall
1/2 hour fire rating

4. Oxygen cylinder sizes:K LK T S
D,E,Y,U,LE Q ME
MBE
XAD MD R

5. Liquid Oxygen is stored in a dewer flask

6. Acetylene Cylinders Acetone - absorbs acetylene under pressure
Consumption rate = 1/7 content per hour
Fusible plug F
Temperature has an extreme affect on pressure
Let stand upright at least 20 minutes before using
Protected valve or cylinder cap
Stored away from oxygen and combustibles
5’ high wall
1/2 hour fire rating

7. WK
WTL WS
WCL WC WQ

8. Acetylene Cylinders C2H2 - Made from calcium carbide and water
Welded construction
Monolithic filler - Asbestos fibers, balsawood (85% porus)
Acetone - absorbs acetylene under pressure
Fusible plug F
Consumption rate = 1/7 content per hour
Temperature has an extreme affect on pressure
Let stand 20 minutes before using
Protected valve or cylinder cap
Sold by cubic feet - determined by weight of the cylinders

9. Oxygen Cylinder Valve Brass Construction
Double back seat - NEVER LEAVE HALF OPEN
Pop off valve - (fragile disk)
Right hand Thread

10. Acetylene Cylinder Valve
Brass Construction
Packed valve - OPEN 1/2 TO 3/4 TURN
Hand wheel or tank wrench - NEVER REMOVE WRENCH during use
RH (Male) or LH (Female) Thread

11. Manifold Systems
Increased Efficiency
more stations
no downtime

12. Parts: Cylinders Hoses - Brass or braided Check valves or hand valves
Flashback Arrestors - OSHA
Regulators
Main valves

13. Procedure for changing tanks:
Continuous supply of gasses
Do not allow empties to be pressurized
Valves and/or checkvalves
Never unsecure cylinders without protective caps
Check for Leaks
MT - DATE

14. Regulators Gauges - High and Low pressure Bonnet - weakest point
Adjusting screw - Clockwise = On

15. Regulators Single stage - less expensive
Dual stage - more accurate - lump on back psi
Nozzle Type - low volume
Stem type - High Volume
Gauges - High and Low pressure - bourbon tube
Bonnet - weakest point
Adjusting screw - Clockwise = On

16. Protector Cap Protects valve from being knocked off
Must be in place when Regulators are off

17. Backflash Arrestor
Torch / Manifold
Regulator / torch

18. Hoses Acetylene = Red Oxygen = Green
Notch around nut means LH thread
Oxygen = Green
RH Thread
New Hoses have talc inside - Blow out before connecting to torch

19. Needle valves What each does Preheat / Cutting hole pressures
Tightening

20. Torch Body
single stage / dual stage

21. Cutting Head Preheat oxygen needle valve
Seat type / Graphite type - tightening
Body to head connection - tightening
Oxygen lever - regulator setting, #1 needle valve setting

22. Cutting Tips Rosebud 1 or 2 piece sizes relate to # Drill Sizes
Hand / Wrench tight
Rosebud

23. Tip Cleaners

24. Acetylene safety Precautions
Never call acetylene “gas”
Extremely explosive with air or oxygen
Leave wrench on tank

25. Oxygen Safety Precautions
Never call oxygen “Air”
Never allow oxygen to come in contact with oil, grease, or other petroleum bases
Never use oxygen for compressed air
Never move cylinders without caps
Always secure cylinders

26. Setup Procedures for Oxy-Acetylene Systems
Do not move cylinders without valve protection
Secure cylinders
Inspect threads
“Crack” Oxygen Valve
Attach regulators and tighten
Blow talc from new hoses
Attach Flashback arrestors, check valves, hoses, check valves, torch body, torch head, and tip
Properly pressurize torch and check for leaks

27. Procedures for Lighting Oxy-Acetylene Systems
SCREW ADJUSTING SCREW OUT
Stand to the side of the adjusting screw
Open tanks one at a time (Oxygen wide, Acetylene 1/2 turn)
Adjust regulators
Bleed lines one at a time
Fine adjustments made while bleeding the hoses
Open the acetylene needle valve and light torch
Open high pressure oxygen needle valve wide
Adjust to a neutral flame

28. Shut Down Procedure for Oxy-Acetylene Systems
Turn off acetylene needle valve
Turn off preheat oxygen needle valve
Turn off tanks
Bleed lines one at a time
TURN ADJUSTING SCREWS OUT
Turn off all needle valves

29. Flame types
Oxidizing
Carborizing
Neutral

30. Starting or restarting a cut
Heat the starting point
Resume Cutting
Move the oxygen hole off the edge of the plate and start the oxygen stream

31. Offhand Cutting Techniques
Rolling your hands
“Pre-load” your wrist and forearm
Roll, don’t slide for a smoother cut
Sliding the torch through your fingers
Apply pressure to torch tubes with thumb and index finger
Keep other three fingers in fist
Don’t move the torch body hand during stops and starts.

32. Beveling Angles Slide the torch through your fingers toward you.
Only move the hand nearest the flame when continuing the cut.
Keep your other three fingers in your fist. This will keep your hands cooler and allow you to make a better cut.

33. Safety Backflash Watch where you cut Turn Oxygen off first
Don’t blow molten metal toward another person
Don’t melt the hoses
Don’t drop metal on hoses
Don’t let hoses lay on hot metal

34. Headgear Assembly Forehead pad Proper adjustment How to assemble
How lenses go in
Cleaning different types of lenses
Autochange hoods
Shade numbers for various things
Cracked or broken hoods
Hood designs (pipeliner, short, sock, brazing shield, handheld).