Andrew Brock

Terms  The burning qualities of gases are used in Ag Mechanics to heat, weld and cut metals  Weld- to join by fusion  Fusion- melting together  Oxyacetylene- a shortened version of the two words oxygen and acetylene in reference to equipment and processes where the two gases are used together.

Terms  Torch- an assembly that mixes gases and discharges them to support a controllable flame  Cylinder- is a long round tank with extremely thick walls built to hold gases under great pressure  Valves and regulators- devices that control or regulate the flow of gas

Terms  Oxyfuel- refers to the combination of pure oxygen and a combustible fuel gas  The gas flame from an oxyfuel gas will burn at about * F  Kerf- the opening left in the metal after cut  Brazing- the process of bonding with metals and alloys that melt at or above 840*F  Brass- a mix of copper and zinc used in brazing  Fusion Welding- joining metal by melting

Setting Up  Acetylene Equipment is color coded red  The valve on most acetylene cylinders is protected with a high collar  All Acetylene couplings have left hand threads and notched fittings

Setting Up  Oxygen cylinder valves are generally not protected during use, however heavy caps protect them when not is use  Oxygen equipment is color coded green  All Oxygen couplings have right hand threads

Firing Up the Torch 1. Close the Acetylene Valve on the torch 2. Close the Oxygen valve on the torch 3. Open the oxygen valve slowly until the pressure gauge responds then open it all the way 4. Open the acetylene valve slowly half a turn 5. Make sure the oxygen gauge reads 10 psi 6. Make sure the acetylene gauge reads 5 psi

Firing up the torch 7. Be sure that you have on leather gloves and number 5 shaded glasses 8. Open the acetylene valve one eighth turn 9. Use striker to ignite the torch 10. Open the acetylene valve slowly until it stops smoking 11. Open the oxygen valve slowly until the inner blue flame becomes several small flames when the lever is held

Cutting  Hold the flame on the edge of the metal until the metal becomes red in color  Then press the lever down and slowly cut across the metal  If it stops cutting release the lever and start again

Safety  Make sure your feet are protected, never use a torch while wearing flip flops or open toed shoes of any kind  Make sure your pants are not fringed, you don’t want to be on fire  Let the metal cool before picking it up.

Safety  Tanks should be chained in a cart to prevent them from falling. Tanks not in use should be stored separately with caps on as well as chained to wall.  Equipment can be checked for leaks using soapy water.  NEVER USE OIL AS A LUBRICANT ON OXYACETYLENE EQUIPMENT!  Graphite can be used to lubricate parts.

Turning off the torch 1. Turn off the acetylene cylinder 2. Turn off the oxygen cylinder 3. Open the oxygen and acetylene torch valves and bleed the lines until the regulators are on zero 4. Shut all the valves off 5. Roll up the torch lines around the cart

Oxygen Torch valve  Allows oxygen into torch handle mixing chamber.  The more you open the more gas that flows.

Acetylene Torch valve  Allows acetylene into torch handle mixing chamber.  The more you open the more gas that flows.

Torch Body  Made up of the torch valves and mixing chamber.  Welding tips attach to body.  Two types of tips attach to torch body.  Welding  Cutting

Welding tip  Used to weld or braze metal.  Small sizes for thin metal and larger sizes for thick metal.  Tips sizes range from 1 to 9.

Cutting tip  Used to cut metal.  Has an oxygen control valve and an oxygen cutting lever.  Oxygen torch valve must be open all the way to use the cutting torch.

Acetylene fusible plugs  Found on top and/or bottom of tank.  Acts as a relief valve if pressure gets to high so tank won’t explode.

Welding rod  Used as filler rod when welding.  Diameters range from 1/16" to 1/8". Small rod for thin metal.  About 42,000 lbs. tensile strength.

Brazing rod  Used when welding is to hot or when strength isn’t as critical.  We have 2 rod sizes, 3/32" and 1/8".  We have flux covered rods and bare rods.  Do not melt base metal when brazing.

Other Equipment  Friction lighter  Used to light oxyacetylene torch.  Tip Cleaners  Used to clean dirty tips.