Knowing how to set oxy acetylene regulators is not only for the best use of an oxy-acetylene torch but also for general understating. A few tips can make you more flexible to set oxy-acetylene regulators easily.
The regulator also becomes a safety issue because it controls the pressure of gas and helps to connect it to gas supplies.
To avoid troubleshooting while you are using an oxy-acetylene torch, setting the regulators becomes one of the crucial parts of your welding or cutting job.
This guideline will let you know to set oxy-acetylene regulators applying a few tricks to control the gas supplies
What Is a Oxy Acetylene Regulator And How To Set It?
Learning the use of the oxy-acetylene regulator becomes an essential part because it lets you light safely to the torch flame.
Almost every welder knows how cool it is to use an oxy-acetylene torch for welding and cutting, heating, and soldering metal with ease. It features an extreme heat function that is controllable.
It requires a regulator that is most important to set perfectly. We also know this regulator as a pressure-reducing regulator.
Steps To Set Oxy Acetylene Regulators:
Setting a pressure regulator for oxy-acetylene is related to a few things. This regulator becomes a centerpiece of your whole welding session.
Most of the welders face the oxidizing problem while they are trying to use a regulator. It happens when there is any carbon present and the pressure is not in control. That’s why a few things you need to ensure before you set oxy-acetylene regulators.
First of all, ensure the acetylene is not more than 30 pounds because it minimizes the chance to see the gauge. Every regulator has a gauge that cannot show over 15 pounds.
When the gauge is indicating the red portion of the regulator that means it exceeds the level of 30 lbs. So, putting pressure is a crucial thing and you must consider it. When the pressure is below 15, then it will show you an almost accurate result.
Fasten Cylinders
Keeping the oxygen and acetylene cylinder in an upright position is essential to keep it secure. Most manufacturing companies give a cylinder chart for the guideline.
Fastening all these cylinders with chains will be a better idea to keep them secure all the time. This is how you can securely fasten the cylinder before setting oxy-acetylene regulators.
Cleaning
Dust or dirt can be turned into a dangerous element for oxy-acetylene torch because it guides the regulator and torch to malfunction by getting into other parts. Remember, valve cleaning is a must-do option.
Open the valve a ¼ turn and do it quickly. Now close it, the pressure will clear out all the dust and dirt if there is any.
The cleaning of the fuel gas cylinder is easy, but do it in a safe place. Try to avoid the place that is near the welding work, flame, and spark.
Connecting Regulator
This is the time to attach the regulator to the cylinders. To see the pressure to know the condition, the regulator will guide you till the end of your metalwork. It’s for operating safely the fuel for the torch.
Sometimes the use of an oxy-acetylene torch needs an adapter to connect the regulator to the cylinder. It requires when the threads are not fitting into each other. This type of adapter you’ll find in the local hardware store.
Tightening The Regulator:
To make the connection with the regulator more secure, tighten the nuts using a wrench. Using your naked hand to tighten the nut is not enough to secure the connection.
Use an adjustable wrench that is designed to perform such a job. Keep in mind, before you adjust the nut, close the cylinder valve first.
Adjusting The Pressure:
Before we start to proceed, putting the regulator in the right adjusted position is important. First, we are going to do that. When you turn it clockwise the valve starts to increase the pressure. This is the common method for almost every regulator of working.
It’s a little backward but shows the most accurate result. Ensure that it’s in a loose position from the beginning. Before you turn on the acetylene, know that this gas runs 235lbs of pressure. Go ahead and start to turn it on from zero.
As a beginner, you can adjust it to about 5 PSI. You don’t have to use acetylene first because you can see it is showing Oxy and fuel gas. To set the pressure, open the gas and it’ll start to come out.
After taking a look a little closer, you’ll find changes in the gauge. To get resistance from the pressure you can turn it down a little more. This is the time when you can set this thing about 5lbs after the pressure goes up.
Keep it running because, if you shut it off completely then it will react. As a result, a pound or two will go up. Now the regulator is set to use for the oxy-acetylene torch.
Leave The Wrench
This step is for your safety. When the valve is open then you should leave the wrench that can be helpful for use in some emergencies.
Conclusion:
The oxy-acetylene torch is one of the most widely used tools for cutting. So, knowing the better use of this torch you also know the role of every part of it. The oxy-acetylene regulator is one of these.
Without knowing how to set oxy acetylene regulators, it’s hard to adjust the gas and complete the cutting job. Even faulty adjustment of the regulator could be dangerous.
It can cause some severe damage. Without perfect adjustment of the regulator, it becomes difficult to properly use. So, a proper setting that involves the pressure, ensures quality cutting.