Dave Haak

[Guest]

Dave if you're going to test that gas torch (and for this post I wil assume that you are...however if you can't for some reason, that's OK, to) I thought of some tests you can make to prove this gadget. Dan and others chime in here too.

Tests:
One thing that comes to mind, is what happens when the torch is disconnected after it has been in use…does it spurt gas all over, or what? Will it remain intact if it falls off the back of a truck?

Does the hose have the potential to have a preload twist in it? Can it cut through 20 layers of 1/4" steel like the Petrogen can in this picture?


Or this stack of 1/2" plates



I noticed in the pictures they sent the barrel of the torch was smooth...no gripping surface. no good, IMHO.

[Dave Haak]

Rocky D,

I've been invited. The date and time have not yet been established. It sounds like Mick has a pretty good sized crew already. I just printed your post and will take it and any other later posts with me. You have brought up some interesting questions.

I feel very fortunate in that I have so many different ways to cut different metals. At this time, I can not envision why I would want one of these units. Just the same, I am curious how well and how safely it operates.

I'm thinking camera and 50-feet to start.

Dave

[micklane]

Rocky D,

In looking at the tank for the oPetrol system, I'd say it's pretty durable. Dave may have a different opinion when he sees it. So far, it's still on my office floor.

We don't have enough scrap iron laying around to do the kind of test you suggested to Dave. Maybe Dave does. (Dave?)

Or maybe you'd like me to ship it out to you after we've had a chance to fire it up?

I saw the photos at the Petrogen website, and I'm thinking I need to get more info on that torch, too. Do you have one?

Both are a lot more torch than most farmers need. Our interest at FARM SHOW in the oPetrol system was because it seems to have the potential to make torch use more convenient and less expensive. But a torch that won't weld isn't much use for most of our readers, so we're hoping they'll have that new welding torch ready pretty quick.

If you or anyone else have other thoughts on ways to test the oPetrol torch, let us know.

Mick Lane

[Guest]

Here's a little reality check, Mick....when an acetylene hose gets cut, the gas leaks out maybe even catches fire...the fire is localized by the gas stream...ya run over and shut off the tank, and everything's OK. Now what happens when the gasoline line is cut? the gas leaks out...under pressure and should it catch fire, you have a tremendous explosion! Fried weldor!

My suggestion was only a suggestion...test it however you like...there are thousands of eyes glued to see what this test will produce. Quality of cut, speed of cut, ease of setup and storing, are all of interest to us.

No. I don't want to test it. Thanks for the offer...but then I think you already knew what my answer would be.

[Roger]

I might have read the petroen tank's gasoline outlet has a flow fuse that will cut off fuel flow if hose is severed. Your right I think liquid fuel in hose can burn longer after valve is shut.

I agree with Mick Lane. For farm or home use it's overkill and expensive for just cutting steel but if their new torch could be used to gas weld steel as good as OA then it might be of use to me.

I find it's underwater cutting use interesting. Underwater OFC has gone away because frankly underwater OHC sucked. Hydrogen was pain to get and transport. Broco and other ultrathermic cutting process solves lots of problems. They don't cut rock or cement underwater and make ragged steel cuts. But underwater cutting is mainly used for removing steel for salvage not fabrication. The ultrathermic process use more O2 so maybe that would make gasoline cutting torch the new thing to have. The torches claimed properties cutting multi steel layers, fast cuts and tolerence of stand off changes might also make OFC more practical. The underwater stuff is just nice to know as I am too old for that game.

Petrogens small tank I think is more practical for home use. I would think USN would be interested in that system. After the USS Stark hit that mine and they managed to put the fire out by cuttings holes in decks and bulkheads so water could cool fire, USN ships damage control lockers got portable OAC systems. I think now they might be using portable ultrathermic systems but small gasoline cutting system might be better. If USN start using portable gasoline cutting system for damage control that will go long way telling me it is relative safe as USN doesn't want any gasoline aboard ships. YES, they do have portable gasoline fueled P250 fire pumps.

[Sberry]

I too am interested in how petrogen works. It would be a boon to the scrap industry where you could put your resourses to oxygen bottles. 3 or 4 large oxy cylinders and one torch and a gas can you could cut for 2 weeks straight for 75$ in materials.

[Franz]

"Petrogens small tank I think is more practical for home use. I would think USN would be interested in that system. After the USS Stark hit that mine and they managed to put the fire out by cuttings holes in decks and bulkheads so water could cool fire, USN ships damage control lockers got portable OAC systems. "
Oh great, NOW I know I'm old! Was it a Carter budget reduction that took the O/A tanks off every ship in the fleet? Even USS Repose had O/A tanks strapped to the weather decks back in 68, and she was a hospital ship. When the **** did some fool in Bureau of Ships take the torches off?
I gotta go build myself a walker.

Petrogen has been around for 20 years I can think of, seems like they advertise in every issue of Rock & Dirt, and they must be doing something right to pay for that ad.

[Roger]

USN ships still had large OAC systems in HT shops and other places but added portable OAC systems to DC lockers. Just like the little ones sold for home use. Seems sort of silly in some ways but during major fire you can get them to location and cut a hole faster than running 100ft or more hose that might get damaged. The big problem then was limited cutting time before you had to change bottles or use hose from big bottles. But probably needed new OBA canaster by time you needed new portable OAC bottles if you were using OBA.

[Franz]

Were those 2 oxygen bottles on a manifold with a MC prestolite tank between them, packed in an oversized ammo can?
If so, it appears somebody dug into a warehouse from WW II and resurected the backpack torch set. Heavy as all ****, and at best good for 6 minutes of cutting.
Did they do away with the Jet-Ax for the DC boys too? I suppose they also stopped letting DC play with a few pounds of shaped C4 for bulkhead cutting too.
**** blue water Navy has no sense of humor.

[Roger]

I trained divers to use explosives as part of salvage training. Don't know if they still get that training.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

HMMMMM....WELL I NEVER USED C-4 FOR CUTTING METAL...... HOWEVER WE DID SHAPE THINGS WITH IT................OLD... I MUST BE OLDER THAN EVERYONE ON HERE..................02 CENTS WORTH..........ROCK..............
[email protected]

[banzaitoyota]

They took away our C4 we used to keep on the BOOMERS for scuttling purposes. No sense of humor in the Submarine Navy either

[Franz]

Probably cause the evil CBs taught you youngsters in the blue water and underwated divisions how to imprint maple leaves onto the decks with it. Either that, or you were using too big of pieces to heat your coffy.

[Ed in Ga]

Heat Coffee?

Franz,
Nothing wrong with that. We used to break open claymores to get the C4 to heat C-rats in the Army. Even the monsoon rains couldn't put that out. 'Course we were just a bunch of dumb draftee's.
Ed

[lanyuefei]

New product

Hellow evryone,there is a good news for you , opetrol puts out new cuting &welding torch,you can get more details from http://www.opetrol.com