acetelyne vs. propane

[Big Nate]

well, give me your opinions... I have used both and so far I like the convenience of propane and the fact that a 20# cylinder has lasted 3 tanks of oxygen

~Nate~

[cope]

Nate, try doing a search here. This topic has been discussed a couple of times.

[Arc Burn]

I have propane in the shop and on the truck,can't beat the price and lasts forever.Acetylene is certainly hotter and does not require the longer preheat of propane but once you get used to it that does not seem to be an issue.As long as your not brazing propane is a cheap solution.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

BIG NATE............... MY BROTHERS AND I HAVE USED PROPANE FOR YEARS..............................DEFINATELY EASIER TO AQUIRE, IF YOU RUN OUT ON A SUNDAY YOU CAN ALWAYS HEIST ONE OFF OF ONE OF THE BROTHER'S PROPANE GRILLS............. ..... WELL THEY TAKE MINE ALSO.............. YOU GET A CUSTOMED......... HAVE SOME FUN NOW..............................ROCK
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[morpheus]

I have never heard of cutting with propane. can you use the same regulator as acetylene ? does it come in big tanks also ?

- jack

[Pat]

Morpheus, as far as I know you can use an acetylene regulator with propane, but you can NOT use a propane regulator with acetylene because acetylene becomes unstable somewhere around 15 psi (not exactly sure). Also they stress to use type "T" hose for propane, mapp, etc because the type "R" hose used for acetylene can deteriorate over time when used with LP based products. There are others on here that can give you a more detailed answer (probably more correct too).

[Arc Burn]

The only thing you need is a propane tip for your torch,other than that you use your actelyene regulator.

[trackwelder]

I like propane for heating,but acetylene in my opinion is a much better fuel.Like stated above you cannot gas weld or braze with propane,and I like my portable outfit for emergency field repairs.

At work they tried converting some of us but it didn't go over well,and were now all using acetylene again.Propane is just to slow for repetitive cuts and time is money.

The replacement tips we had did not work to well in our outfits,but the smith propane torches worked excellent with the exception of the slower preheat.As far as using your existing regulator with propane Im not sure about it except that we where told to change ours out with the conversion.

[HELLTACO]

Propane, natural gas, MAPP, acetylene, watever, it all works real good fer cuttin' stuff. Chu don't gets no 6500 degs. but chu don't needs it. Regulators are da same but da otter gasses juse a two part tip fer cuttin' an' a funny lookin' muli-flame tip (rosebud) fer heatin'.

Fer flame straitening chu should upset da metal ASAP wit as biga heat as dose da yob (when da inspector ain't lookin') wit out "burnin" da steel. If da inspector is dare don't lets da steel get over 1100 degs. Because of needin' a quick heat, acetylene is da best choice here wit MAPP a close second.