reduction & oxidising ?

[angie]

Can someone please help me out on Reduction & oxidising im getting them confused and ive upgraded from my HH to a minnow and i knew that a reduction was when i covered the holes on the HH with foil but what do i do on the minnow torch? do i turn the oxy off?
im just not sure :rolleyes:

and what is oxidising? is it MORE oxy than propane?
please can someone explain these terms for me, also a NEUTRAL flame whats that?
is it equal amounts of oxy & propane?:?:

[MikeAurelius]

On a oxy-propane torch, it works a bit differently than on a hot head. Hot Head torches run a bit to the reduction side anyway, so it is fairly easy to get a reduction flame on them.

Start with a neutral flame. Candles about the diameter of a glass rod (5-6 mm), with a slight white or yellow tip.

To get an oxidizing flame, turn your oxygen UP. You should hear a slight hiss, the flame will get slightly smaller and sharper, and the candles should turn all blue.

To get a reduction flame, turn your oxygen DOWN, but not off. Most torches these days rely on the flow of oxygen to keep the internal tubing and face cool. The candles should lengthen and turn at least half yellow, and the flame will get soft and somewhat bushy.

Hope this helps!

[angie]

Wow yea thanks Mike... ive wrote it all down ready to practise :)

many thanks x