propane reg setting and oxycon setting ??

[uniqueleigh]

Okay got everything finally and I am confussed at how to adjust the propane regulator. ugh.. and what do I set the oxy con on.

When do I turn the oxy con on?

I feel so dumb. Any help and info would be great. thanks, leigh

P.S. I read the info from arrow springs but, for some reason it isn't sitting in my brain right.

[Dale M.]

Propane setting (pressure) should be about 1/2 that of oxygen.... IF oxygen concentrator output is 7-9 psi then propane should be about 4-5 psi.....

Its usually a 2:1 ration (oxygen to fuel) for soft glass....

Procedure is usually to open oxygen valve on torch, then turn on concentrator and let run a few minutes. Close oxygen valve (monetarily). Open fuel valve and light torch. Re open oxygen valve fully... Oxygen valve should always remain full on and you regulate flame by using fuel valve....

This holds true in most cases, but it in not cast in concrete. You can adjust oxygen some what to custom taylor a specific flame type....

Dale

[SadiesJewels]

Ok ... don't mean to hijack this thread here, but I was wondering if having the propane too low would cause more sootiness in my glass? I've been having problems lately and after reading another thread about distance from flame and reading this thread I began to wonder since I recently reduced my propane pressure too.

Sadie

[kbinkster]

I have a different take on things than Dale.

First of all, what torch are you on? If it has decent valves, then you could have your propane regulator set for a higher pressure and still retain good control of the fine tuning with your valves regardless of the pressure set at the regulator. It is better to set the regulator pressure higher and control the amount of propane going to the torch head with the needle valves on the torch than to set the regulator pressure too low for the regulator and have fluctuating pressure (which translates into a fluctuating flame). I usually recommend 5-10 psi for the propane setting for most small torches - regardless of if they are on tanked oxygen or a concentator. They can run on much less (1/4 pound, usually), but it is better for the regulator to bump it up.

With the regulator set and the tank valve open, but the propane valve on the torch closed, I open the oxygen valve on the torch all the way and turn on the concentrator. I set the flow rate to 5 LPM. Opening the valve all the way while I set the flow ensures that no matter how big a flame I run with the torch, I never let the ball go over the 5 LPM mark on the machine. I then momentarily shut off the oxygen valve at the torch and open the propane valve and light the torch. I then open the oxygen valve at the torch and adjust my flame - with both the oxygen valve and the propane valve.

[kbinkster]

Ok ... don't mean to hijack this thread here, but I was wondering if having the propane too low would cause more sootiness in my glass? I've been having problems lately and after reading another thread about distance from flame and reading this thread I began to wonder since I recently reduced my propane pressure too.

Sadie

It could if your flame is too low and you are moving closer and closer to the face of the torch to get some heat into your glass and you go into a part of the flame where the fuel is not combusted completely.

[SadiesJewels]

Thanks ... I think that is exactly what I am doing - what a mess! Ok ... off to turn up the pressure a smidge!