document updated 11 years ago, on Apr 23, 2013
Oxy-acetylene is a long-favored combination. Unfortunately, acetylene is hard to store in highly populated areas due to serious safety issues.
Oxy-propane is much cheaper, and safer. The downsides are that it isn't as hot as oxy-MAPP or oxy-acetylene.
The things you need to change, when converting an oxy-acetylene setup to an oxy-propane setup are:
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- hoses — acetylene requires Grade "R" or "RM" hoses, propane requires Grade T hoses
- fuel regulator — a different regulator is required for propane because 1) different fuel/oxygen ratios are needed for propane, and 2) acetylene will never experience pressures above 15psi (because it would explode) while propane regulators may experience higher pressures
- cutting tip — there are cutting tips specifically designed for propane
Additionally, you'll want to have an adapter that lets you connect to a POL / CGA-510 connector, if you're using a standard gas-grill propane tank.
Options include:
People do use oxygen concentrators for torches.
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