Switching fuel for Oxy cutting

I picked up a torch set up at an auction from one of the gas suppliers by me. I've went and got the oxy and acetylene filled and it was over 100 bucks for the two little tanks. I just about passed out right there. At that price I cannot even afford to fire up the torch.

So I got thinking, Theres another gas supplier down the street from me. Supposedly the prices are a heck of a lot better. I was going to get a quote on a 125cf oxy tank and switch my fuel gas to propane. Supposedly you can just switch the hoses and torch tip and start cutting with propane. I'm wondering if this is true? I know there are a lot of industrial scrap guys on here.

I have a little experience with torches, cutting with gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, plasma cutters, and acetylene. The information you were given is partially correct. All you have to change is the torch tip. Propane is cheaper and far more efficient than acetylene for scrapping. The secret is setting the flame correctly. It should sound like a jet engine when set and produce a defined and sharp star when the flame is held within 3/4 in. of flat metal.

Using the largest oxygen tank reduces the cost per cu. ft. A single K tank of oxygen will last about 2 hrs. of steady hard cutting. The propane tank from a grill will last for a long time. I use 100 lb. propane tanks and liquid oxygen (equal to 17 K tanks) and with this set up estimate that I spend about $ 3.00 per hour on fuel. Using oxygen K tanks the cost for fuel is about $ 8.00 per hour. These figures assume proper regulator settings and good cutting technique. The only cheaper fuel I have found is gasoline and this requires a special torch. Hope this helps.

It does help. So from your experience an acetylene regulator will handle the propane? Someone was telling me I had to change the orifices inside the regulator. I have probably about a dozen 20lb propane tanks sitting around so I figured I might as well use them for something. I have to go get a quote for a tank, My friend down south of me says he pays 20 bucks a cylinder for oxygen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JnJunk

It does help. So from your experience an acetylene regulator will handle the propane? Someone was telling me I had to change the orifices inside the regulator. I have probably about a dozen 20lb propane tanks sitting around so I figured I might as well use them for something. I have to go get a quote for a tank, My friend down south of me says he pays 20 bucks a cylinder for oxygen

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Yes and inaccurate information

I ran the small 'grill' size tanks a few years ago to save some bucks, and they worked out pretty nice. The only thing that I had to change was the cutting tip itself. Everything else remained the same. The 'pros' were: lower operating costs and tanks could be exchanged or refilled almost everywhere, which also translates into lower costs. The 'cons' were: It seemed the propane wouldn't get as 'hot' as when using acetylene.

I have used Oxy-Propane for cutting for 30 years, only the tip has to be changed.

Although the pictures have been deleted compliments of photo bucket, some of the information is valuable.

https://www.scrapmetalforum.com/tool...crappers+dream