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Practical answers on choosing nozzles, mixers and heating necks, and using and maintaining this style of heavy-duty gas welding and cutting torch.
Yes. HSE guidance says flashback arresters should be fitted to both the oxygen and fuel gas hoses near the regulators, and for long lengths of hose also at the torch. The torch should be fitted with spring-loaded non-return valves.Non-return valves reduce the risk of a flashback but cannot stop one once it has happened, and an arrester is not a substitute for safe working practice. After a flashback, have the torch, hoses, regulators and arresters carefully checked and replace parts where needed. Follow the maker's instructions for checking arresters regularly.
Check connections and equipment regularly. HSE advises a proprietary leak-detecting spray or solution suitable for oxy/fuel systems. Do not use soapy water or anything containing grease or oil on oxygen equipment, and never look for a leak with a naked flame.Repair or replace leaking components straight away. Leaking hoses should not be repaired, but a damaged section can be cut out and the hose tail refitted using crimp clips designed for the job, not screw-tightened clips. Equipment used in harsh conditions will normally need checking more often.
Heating nozzles are used for preheating, straightening, bending and similar work where you want a broad, high heat input rather than a cutting jet. A superheating or heating neck, together with a mixer made for the fuel gas, carries the gas to a larger heating nozzle. Some sizes are designed for acetylene and others for propane.HSE describes copper heating nozzles used with a propane mixer and heating neck, with a typical working distance of around 50 mm for maximum heat input. Always use a nozzle, neck and mixer that are made to work together, and check the maker's instructions.
Generally no. Gas welding of steel is normally done with acetylene. One maker's technical paper explains that burning acetylene in oxygen creates a reducing zone that helps keep the steel surface clean, while propane does not, so propane is usually not suitable for gas welding.Propane is widely used for heating and for cutting with the correct nozzles, and can be used for brazing. If you want to change fuel gas, you will need the mixer and nozzles made for that gas, and regulators and hoses suitable for it. Check the torch manual before changing anything.