Am I going to be safe with this torch hookup?

[Cat]

I'm hoping Mike, Dale or someone in the know can answer this for me. I'm hooking up my Cheetah to my propane hose and I cannot get the hose all the way up flush with the torch hose end. There is about a 1/4" gap between the top end of the torch connector and my own propane hose. Is this a non-issue? I'm just not sure.

Although, it's tight - so tight I can't move it further up, as well as I can't get the hose off. I've tightened up the metal clip "thingy".. but the gap concerns me.

I'm not sure what the problem is because both my oxygen and propane hoses are 1/4". The oxygen slipped on with no problems.

[houptdavid]

Depending on the lenght of the barb fitting it may not matter. If you want to make sure and get it on all the way try this...

Take it apart and get some very hot water... (NOT BOILING) stick the end of the hose in the hot water until it soffens up, remove, shake of excess water and shove it on the barbed fitting. You should be able to get it on.

[Cat]

I will try that, because I think there's actually more than 1/4" gap. Probably closer to 1/2". On top of that, I'm just able to get it over the barb fitting. The last of barb is actually still showing. It makes me very uneasy.

Thank you - I'll try your suggestion right now.

[squid]

put some spit on the barb - that will help

[Hayley]

Cat - you will not be able to pull the hose off . . . just cut it, then split the cut off part with a knife.

[Cat]

What do you know? The hot water suggestion worked. Yes, I cut it off with a box cutter - it wasn't going to budge. It was still really difficult to get on, but I was able to get it completely flush with the top of the brass fitting and now I feel safe and secure. I've never had a fitting so difficult to hook up, but it's fine now.

[MikeAurelius]

I use soapy water, this serves two purposes, 1) adds lubrication to the hose/barb and 2) allows you to see if there is a leak after you've tightened the hose clamp.