Problem with Oxygen / Acetylene Cutting Torch >> Acetylene line clogged

Title pretty much covers it

I have an Oxygen / Acetylene Cutting Torch that I only use occasionally for vehicle dismantling
Self taught user >> Same set up for at least 25 years
Last couple months unit has been popping off when the head got close to what I was trying to cut
Tanks were recently filled and had plenty of pressure >> Installed a new tip
Problem continued until I could not even light the tip
No Acetylene not coming out of the tip
I shut the tank valve and slowly disconnected the hose from the torch
Bunch of black dust blew out
Torch side was completely clogged to the point I had to use a small screwdriver to clean it out, then opened the torch valve and then I used my air compressor to blow thru it


Is this normal?
Should be doing this on a regular schedule?
Any thing else I should be doing or suggestions?
Thanks

If its got built in flashback arrestors, they could be blocked with dust.
I dunno if the stuff that's in the acetylene tank can get right up into the torch, its a lint like material.

Honestly, the gas companys are pretty loose reguarding their practises.
I heard one idiot say "we get free acetone by, when we have emptyed the acetylene bottle, we turn it upside down and drain out a few litres of acetone......". Duh! The guy worked at a paint and panel car fixers.

It sounds like the you do not have flash back arrestors on your torch or tanks and probably suffered a flash back. Do you ever hear load pops while cutting? Adding flash back arrestors might cure the problem.

Keep your torch valves shut and it should never happen

Just curious, are you hoses rated for acetylene ? I've heard propane lines and acc don't mix well. Not a problem I've ever ran across.