Oxy-acetylene torch

Introduction

 * This Wiki page contains information on the safety equipment, set-up, use, and shut-down associated with an oxy-acetylene cutting torch. There is enough information here for a person with zero prior knowledge of this tool to safely and effectively use the torch to cut through thick metal.

Safety glasses and welding goggles

 * First and foremost, no operation of the torch should be done without the proper eye protection. Welding goggles with Ultraviolet and infrared filtering lenses should be worn at all times during operation of the torch. These lenses range in darkness from #1-#14, #14 being the darkest. For oxy-acetylene cutting specifically, lenses between a #4 and #6 should be used. Regular safety glasses also need to be worn at all times in the shop.

Protective Clothing

 * Preferred Clothing
 * features covered pockets
 * does not have cuffs ,folds or large wrinkles
 * A welders cap or a hat may be work to protect the hair from catching sparks or getting dirty
 * Thin, tight cuffed leather gloves can be work for light duty jobs, but thick welding gloves should be used for jobs requiring more heat such as thick metals or long cuts


 * --Clothing with open necklines, open pockets, lots of wrinkles or cuffs may catch flying sparks or hot metal and is therefor dangerous for this operation.

Preparing the Oxygen and Acetylene Gas Tanks
Now with all of the proper safety gear on, the oxyacetylene cutting outfit can be assembled if it is not already.

Procedure

 * Make sure the oxyacetylene cart and bottles are in a stable and secure position at all times.
 * Throughout procedure, be inspecting fittings, hoses and other equipment for damage, and notify the shop manager if equipment is worn or broken.
 * If there are no hoses connected to the gas bottles, clear any debris inside the valve openings by quickly and briefly opening then closing the top valve no more than 1/4 turn. Make sure there are no people ::::in line of the valves and that zero flames are present in the area.
 * With the top valve closed, attach a pressure regulator to the gas cylinder. Start the threads by hand initially, then tightening them with a correct size wrench. Do Not OVER Tighten
 * The Oxygen regulator has right-handed threads(right turn tighten), and can only be installed on oxygen cylinders. Fuel Cylinders and regulators are the opposite(left turn tighten) and therefore can not be interchanged.
 * When connecting the hoses, red is the fuel line and has left-handed threads like its regulator. The oxygen hose is green and like the oxygen regulator, has right-handed threads.
 * The torch will go onto the ends of the hoses, with threads to match the fuel and oxygen sides of the hoses.

Turning on the Oxygen and Acetylene Gas

 * Fully Close the regulators by turning the adjustment screws left(counter-clockwise) until they feel loose, but stop before they fall out completely.
 * Regulators can burst when exposed to sudden increases in pressure so stand to one side of the regulators when opening the tank valves.
 * IMPORTANT(Below) 
 * SLOWLY open the acetylene cylinder valve by turning it until it is 1/4-1/2 turn out. This is plenty of fuel flow for most cutting operations.
 * SLOWLY open the oxygen cylinder until it is fully opened so that it will not leak.
 * the correct oxygen working pressure can be seen in the torch operation section.