How to Use Oxygen Acetylene Welders
Authored by Tractor Supply Company
Torch outfits produce heat (energy) by burning acetylene gas. By adding oxygen gas, torch outfits can produce flame temperatures of 5,620 degrees. A torch outfit is extremely versatile: this single piece of equipment creates its own portable heat source and can be used to cut, heat, weld, and braze various metals. Before electricity was available in rural areas, this was the only type of "welder" available to the farming/ranching community.
What is a torch outfit
The basic torch outfit consists of two high-pressure cylinders (one apiece for oxygen and acetylene) and two corresponding pressure regulators. A dualine hose transfers oxygen and acetylene from the regulators to the torch handle.
All torch outfits that use oxygen and acetylene reach the same working temperature of 5,620 degrees. The size of the cylinder does not affect the temperature of the flame. It affects how long the flame will last (the burn time).
Torch outfit tips and attachments
The torch handle can hold a cutting attachment, welding tip, or heating tip (the heating tip is not included with all basic torch outfits). If you are cutting with the torch, you also need a cutting tip that attaches to the end of the cutting attachment.
The cutting tip controls the thickness of metal being cut, along with the gas pressures set at the regulators.
Safety gear for welding
To get projects done, you will need proper safety gear. Here's a must-have list for your DIY project:
- Safety goggles (Minimum Shade #5) to protect your eyes while you are using the torch
- Welding gloves to protect your hands
- Hand-held striker to create the spark to light the acetylene
- Cylinder cart to hold the cylinders and accessories securely
Types of torch outfit processes
Cutting
Cutting is the #1 most widely used process of the gas torch outfit. The cutting attachment hooks up to the torch handle and holds the cutting tip. By burning acetylene enriched by oxygen, the attachment and tip heat the metal to critical temperature. At this point, the cutting oxygen lever is depressed, delivering a stream of oxygen that cuts the metal.
Advantages of gas cutting
- It is portable (can be taken anywhere and used)
- It is able to cut thick material with a range of cutting tips (sold separately)
- It requires a low skill level and is easily mastered
Disadvantages of gas cutting
- The oxygen-acetylene gas, once combined, will only cut iron-based (ferrous) steels
- The process can distort thin metals unless correct cutting tip is used
Heating
Heating is the #2 most widely used process of the gas torch outfit.
The gas heating tip (also known as a rosebud or MFA) does not come with all basic torch outfits, but is usually sold separately. The heating tip attaches to the torch handle. The tip has multiple holes that allow several flames to exit the tip. These flames can heat a large area of metal very quickly to allow bending or straightening.
Advantages of gas heating
- No other tool can heat metal so quickly
- It is portable (can be taken anywhere and used)
- It requires a low skill level and is easily mastered
Disadvantage of gas heating
- Heating tip uses a tremendous amount of oxygen-acetylene
Welding (Fusion)
Welding/fusion is the #3 most widely used process of the gas torch outfit.
The gas welding tip attaches to the torch handle. The flame heats the base metal to its fluid or puddle state. At this point, the gas welding rod (copper coated steel) is dipped into the puddle. The rod fuses to the base metal, creating the weld as they become one piece of metal. The steel welding rod must match the steel base metal in order for true fusion to occur.
Advantage of gas welding
- It is portable (can be taken anywhere and used)
Disadvantages of gas welding
- It is a two-handed process that requires a high skill level and takes practice to master
- Only works on iron (ferrous) based steels
Brazing (Adhesion)
Brazing/adhesion is the #4 most widely used process of the gas torch outfit.
The gas welding tip attaches to the torch handle. The flame heats, but does not melt, the base metal. The flux-coated brass rods or bare rods dipped in brazing flux are then melted onto the heated base metal. The melted brass forms a bead on top of the base metal that holds the pieces together.
Advantages of gas brazing
- It is versatile (with the correct brazing rod many different materials can be brazed)
- It is portable (can be taken anywhere and used)
Disadvantages of gas brazing
- It is a two-handed process that requires a high skill level and takes practice to master
Oxygen Acetylene Welding Specifics
Consult below for which base metals can be joined by welding (fusion).
Steel
Copper coated steel rod, or flux coated or bare brass rod
Cast Iron
Flux coated or bare brass rod
Galvanized steel
Flux coated or bare brass rod
Brass
Flux coated or bare brass rod
Copper
Flux coated or bare brass rod, self fluxing copper alloy rod
Aluminum/Magnesium
Self fluxing aluminum/magnesium rod
