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Oxy-acetylene torch question

I am still looking into getting a OA setup and I am continuing to do
online research on safety.
A recommendation that I often see is to use flashback arrestors at the
regulators and check-valves at the torches. I have inquired about the
torches of a well known european QA equipment manufacturer and their
torch did not have a check-valve in it. Instead, this manufacturer had
special flashback arrestors, which also included a check-valve and a
third thermal safety feature which cut gas if a certain heat is
detected. Their recommendation is to use these flashback arrestors at
the regulators and to not worry about a check-valves at the torch.
Is it safe to operate the torch this way, or should I install additional
flashback arrestors (not for the arresting feature, but rather for the
built-in check-valve functionality) at the torches?
Timur
Reply to
Timur Aydin
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And also, with the additional flashback arrestors, I suppose I will need to set the regulators to a higher pressure during use. Is there any drawbacks to this?
Timur
Reply to
Timur Aydin
O/A built the modern world, and did so before any of the check valves and flashback arrestors came into use. The flashback arrestors that are built into most current generation torches are plenty safe. Additional check valves at the regulators are overkill unless you are using long hoses in a multi person shop where the hose has a relatively high probability of being damaged.
Reply to
Pete C.
Hi, thanks for the answer.
This torch doesn't have a flashback arrestor, either. It seems it just does mixing, that's it. The only safety features in this system are a pair of (flashback arrestor, check-valve, thermal shutoff) combo devices that are attached to the regulators.
The rep told me that this system conforms to the Swiss OA welding safety code, so maybe I am a little too paranoid about this...
Timur
Reply to
Timur Aydin
I, personally, think that check valves at the regulators are a last line of defense, and I have them, and have had them on every torch setup I have ever known. At the price, I think it's worth it for peace of mind. Everything fails, and depending on just one checkvalve leaves you vulnerable at some time, even if you think it's good. It could be not operational, and how would you know?
The current setup I made on a gopher blasting setup has THREE checkvalves on each line. The ones in the torch, one upstream from that, and one at the regulator.
Is it overkill?
Probably.
Do I feel secure?
Yes.
Especially that time I set the end on fire, and it was fed with pure oxygen. My first thought was, "Don't panic, it won't get back to the tank."
Each man does what they think. I think that every torch setup needs two checkvalves so that if one don't work .............
Steve
Reply to
SteveB
If starting from scratch you could consider the Dillon/Henrob/DHC2000.
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PhilD
Reply to
PhilD
Thanks to everybody that responded.
Those look sweet, but if I buy those, they will most certainly end up being held at the Turkish customs and that will be the end. The brand that I talk about above and that's available here is Gloor, based in Switzerland and quite well known.
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Timur
Reply to
Timur Aydin
(snip)
Holy Smokes....
The Swiss must feel if your properly educated and trained you can own your own acetylene generator!!!!
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COOL!
Maybe someone could mail the US tort lawyers this info and encourage a junket... Just don't spill the beans about each Swiss household containing a service weapon of some sort!!!
Matt
Reply to
matthew maguire
Ooo - that's neat & I want one!
And check out Kira's stuff under "Articles & Projects". Cool!
Bob
Reply to
Bob Engelhardt
This is truly out of the ordinary. Very amazing. Has any one seen these torches in operation?
Reply to
Ignoramus28817
Used to have one in each car headlight if you go back far enough (acetylene lamps)
Reply to
Phil
The early Henrob/Dillons were made in Switzerland. I picked up one a a garge sale unused,still in the box. i have tried it once, and haven't done as well as the videos, but I imagine practice will help. The maker says I can't use it with the Gasfluxer, so I mainly use a standard torch, as most of my gas work is bronze welding. It is an interesting piece of equipment.
Reply to
Stupendous Man
I had one of those once. I didn't think it was anything special, sold it for a huge price on ebay back when ebay was all that and a bag of chips..
Grant
Reply to
Grant Erwin
In the movie, I saw how they can make superfine cuts in 1/2" steel.
i
Reply to
Ignoramus28817
If it's in the movies or on TV, then it has to be true!
Steve ;-)
Reply to
SteveB

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