you can use an acet reg for propane, but not the other way.

T Grade hose is synthetic rubber-like plastic, while R Grade is rubber. R grade is for acetylene only. According to IP-7 from the RMA (rubber manufacturers association) the rubber hose breaks down while in service with longer chain hydrocarbons.

T grade will work for acet as well as all of the other fuel gases.

See the link for a real nice explanation

http://www.safehose.com/techresources/Welding_Hose-What_hose_is_needed_42904.pdf

 

talked with the LWS last night and he said the issue is that the propane gets so cold it effects the rubber. This is going to be a very low use item maybe 1 hr of run time a year. He said my unused hoses should be fine for a couple years. what are your guy's thoughts on this?

 

talked with the LWS last night and he said the issue is that the propane gets so cold it effects the rubber.

Many people use LP with R hoses for many years. Perhaps it mattered long ago, but I don't worry about it. I DO inspect my hoses and other equipment often.

Most hose gets brittle from age as the material it's made of outgases and/or is exposed to UV. Hose is cheap, so if in doubt I replace it. If it's undamaged and supple I use it. When I replace old hose I save the brass fittings for re-use if they are good, since if I cut a hose I turn it into two shorter hoses. Supposedly LP can deteriorate R hose, or to be more precise T-hose IS rated for LP and R isn't rated for it.

Never heard the "cold" explanation, and I've not run enough demand off an LP torch to frost the regulator much less the hose.

WHO made your regulator? Which model is it? A "regulator" isn't just a "regulator", make and model matter. ALWAYS post that sort of info when asking questions!

 

I DO inspect my hoses and other equipment often.

How nice. Do you inspect the INSIDE of your hoses. Because if propane is breaking them down, it will do it from the side that is exposed to the propane, and not the AIR. Geez.

 

Sorry Farmall,

I've been at work when posting these questions, not at home with access to the regulators. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.

 

Propane will cause increased deterioration of the R and RM type hose which is typical original equipment included with new acetylene torch kits. Be safe and get type T hose for use with propane.

You can use the acetylene regulator on the propane cylinder once you install the proper CGA 510 adapter. The limitation is the regulated side gauge will typically have a scale from 0 to 30 psi with a red line at 15. You can use propane at working pressures that exceed the readings on the gauge. Change the gauge? Sure, just be sure you don't exceed the recommended operating pressure of the regulator!

Cutting and heating tips should also be changed for optimal efficiency. Propane is heavier than acetylene and performs much better with different mixing chambers.

- Mondo

 

Both hoses break down over time. You don't have to use T grade hoses with propane but R grade hoses will have a significantly shorter service life. Expect 2 years out of an R grade hose on propane and 5 years with a T grade. You will save yourself money buying T grade hoses as your hoses deteriorate but it is not necessary to convert when changing to propane.

 

76,

My cutting set up might see an hours worth of use a year tops. Do you still think the hoses will only last that long?

 

Are you worried about "only" 2 years of use. It seems most of our hoses end their life after having a piece of plate drop on them or from flexing at the connection to the torch. Yeah, if they only see an hour a year they likely will last more than two years. Know that and ozone from welding nearby also causes hoses to deteriorate. Replace them when they start to get dried up and hard and show cracks on the outer jacket. How long that takes is not an exact science.

 

1. I gotta second Farmall on this one. The specific regulator is very important. Hose life is sooooo far down the list. All sorts of problems can theoretically exist. Valve component compatibility with the fuel gas, metal composition, aperature sizes, etc. With some companies the only difference between the regs is the sticker, but I would not make that assumption and risk it.
2. Most oxy fuel gear in general (regs included) is cheap enough for the question of 2 year versus 5 year service life to be moot. Tiny in the risk avoidance world. Buy the good stuff, buy the right stuff. If you can't or won't maintain it, don't be stingy and buy more often. Having depth perception and the ability to count as close to twenty one as possible in the shower are perks you don't want to risk casually.
3. Standard "Properly Engineered Disclaimer": If you were to have one of those cylinders explode for any reason and you were using a regulator that wasn't engineered for it, you and your posterity could lose suing rights or could be opened up for being sued directly if someone else catches the damage.
4. You are usually the voice of reason when it comes to things like trailer work or hitches and things of that sort. Put that hat on here to keep you safe. Regardless of what people "get away with" the "Experts" usually say what they say for a reason. See "Properly Engineered Disclaimer" above.

 

Browncoat,

Safety is #1 in this, otherwise I'd have just tried it. I asked about the hose life because if the hoses I have now will work safely for a few years than I see no point in replacing unused hoses. I'm not doing this to make a living "yet", if and when I do I will make sure that I've got well maintained high quality equipment. but for now, I'm limited to well maintained medium quality equipment. I make it a point not to exceed the limits of my tools and my own skill/knowledge. Thus the reason for asking questions in the first place. to be able to have a somewhat edjucated ability to determine if the tools and knowledge I have will allow me to do what I want to do before I actually do it. I don't dive head on into projects. I'm "that guy" who follows the instructions, or looks at a problem for many different angles before deciding what my solutions will be. This prevents having to do stuff twice, or 3 or 4 times.

where as I'd probably care if I blow myself up, my biggest concern is not blowing someone else up.

I still have not inspected my regulator, and once I do I will determine which way I'm going to go with this. right now, it's cheaper to stick with O/A vs O/P but it's still something to consider for the long run.

 

if all you use your torch is an hour a year why even consider the cost of the gas or the hose or reg? i use my O/A far less for cutting than i do for welding steel and aluminum so it doesn't make since to even ponder the costs. now i do heat a lot more than cut or weld but as a convenience of just grabbing a torch to do all i stay with O/A. how much will be saved over a 10 year period @ 1-2 hours a year, then you add the hassle of switching over if you decide to weld something.

 

because, once you have a tool set up to use, some how, you always end up with more projects to do that you need that tool for. They come out of the woodwork.

 

because, once you have a tool set up to use, some how, you always end up with more projects to do that you need that tool for. They come out of the woodwork.

Oh yeah. I started with a buzzbox many years ago, then as each additional machine or accessory found its way to my shop so did uses for them.

This was expected, since as a mechanic I knew wrenching works the same way.

I never regretted buying good equipment, and since I keep it a LONG time the cost/year isn't squat.

 

Thor:

Well, sorry my personal list of reasons did not make the cut. No offense taken, you can have a full refund for the advise. :laugh::laugh:

Another problem with running other gases through an Acetylene reg is that you are limited to 15 PSI. Some fuel gases like to breathe a little heavier than that when out on a date. The only folks I see that take this tack are doing soldering/brazing. Almost exclusively artsy types making jewelry and stained glass. Smith, for example documents in writing that this is Ok. Personally, never seen it done in a welding shop. Going the other way and putting Acetylene through a non-acetylene reg that is not limited to 15 PSI has got to be somewhere between suicidal and Darwinian selection.