The connection between the tank valve and the regulator just wont p*** the soapy water test, despite how the instructions say to tighten it more.... I can SMELL the nasty ****? I bought Charlie Led's used set today, I'd call him, but he's seeing family and I dont want to disturb this evening, thought there may be an easy fix? I've pulled it off and wiped the threads with a rag, then tightened it again as much as I could, no change. AND DONT tell me to chill out and have a smoke next to it!! Yes, the tank valves are now closed and the lines are purged... I've played with these toys plenty in the past. I'm thinking I should pull the reg of the Acet. tank and hook it up to my BBQ propane bottle to see if the problem follows the regulator or not... Thoughts? Thanks, J Allright... NOW I can go have a smoke! (FAR away from gas....)
I can't remember if on the acetylene it seals with an o-ring on the tip of the regulator? if so that might be bad/spilt or something like that hook up that propane and return the acetylene
If it seals with br***-to-br*** contact, might try slathering a dob of valve grinding compound on the sealing surfaces and turn the regulator back and forth until the two surfaces wear into each other. Be sure to get all the compound off both surfaces after you're done or it still won't seal....justa thought.
Br*** to br***, I need the acetylene for welding! sheeyut, which box is my valve lapping compund in? Thanks, J
Jason - That regulator has been attached to that tank for probably the last five years, check the receipts I gave you whenever the tank was filled last is the last time the regulator was removed. I'm not sure if it makes any difference, but the two have been mated for a long time with no leakage. Check the mating surfaces to be sure that there is no foreign materials on either side.
Hey, you're back.. yeah, did that already... everything LOOKS fine... I did have to take the cover off the low pressure dial of that regulator and push the scale back a tad so the needle could move... but other than that, everything else seems fine... ??? -J
I always crack the valve for a sec before I install the regulator to blow any **** out that might be in there. look in the valve and ball end of the regulator, can you see distortion in the mating surfaces? did some grit get in there? did the regulator get dropped? if it's the valve you may have to take the bottle in for an exchange if it's the regulator you can buy just the worn/damaged part and replace it yourself Paul
Just dont place any grease or petro related products on the joint-as when its pressurized with the acetylene would cause an explosion. I would snug the regulator up lightly so as to be able to twist it back and forth and do that for a minute or two till it "seats" the two mating surfaces....tighten slightly as you turn it back and forth. Then the final tightening should seal it
[ QUOTE ] Just dont plave any grease or petro related products on the joint-as when pressurized with the acetylene would cause an explosion. [/ QUOTE ] Actually that's the oxygen that can cause the grease to burn at room temp...Don't get grease/oil anywhere near any of it. Try twisting the valve to a different anle to see if it will seat, after checking for unevenness in the seats that is.
Sometimes the phillips screw on the valve knob itself needs to be tightened. I've had a few that did the same thing. You're first instinct is to reef it down... but you can twist the whole thing and sometimes find a "fit". I've had some that I had to let leak until it was gone, and I'd get a new bottle and all would be fine... Good luck and don't blow yourself up. JOE
Rocky... have you actually done this exact valve grinding compound on the acetylene regulator thing and LIVED? just checkin... I like the idea, but dont want to be the guinea pig....
played with the propane today, didnt mess with the acet. Now, the propane tank has a little rubber or sumthin seal in the back, could it be perhaps i lost this out of my acetylene? Propane is a pain to light, and with a zero cutting tip, you have a real tiny flame.... but I got it to work ok, cut up an old rotary lawnmower that was withholding an excellent mini-bike rear sprocket... only mildy burned my arm, didnt blow anything up!
you'll soon be a propane convert! they are a bit finiky to light up but once you got it going she's gonna be just fine
anybody have an acetylene tank laying around? is there a rubber or neoprene or SUMTHIN BLACK kinda seal in there where the regulator screws in? Also, from that propane thread... Do they make cutting torch tips ESPECIALLY for use with propane? Thanks, J
[ QUOTE ] I always crack the valve for a sec before I install the regulator to blow any **** out that might be in there. Paul [/ QUOTE ] Whoa! Please don't do this. Never, Never release acetylene unregulated. It is very unstable above 15psi. Cracking the valve with an inert gas is perfectly OK. Just don't chance it with Acetylene
brxter, you prolly never filled a big balloon with oxygen and accetalene and tied a fuse to it either huh? seriously, it's the way I was taught by a professional instructor. I've seen it done and have done it myself countless times for decades.. how do you clear the valve? Paul
MMKAy, enough about acetylene balloons, they'll be PLENTY of time for that around July 4, what about acetylene O-RINGS?
turn the bottles off when your not useing them and hire a kid to watch for unwanted fires around your connections when your useing it, and don't blow sparks in the direction of the bottles
[ QUOTE ] what about acetylene O-RINGS? [/ QUOTE ] never heard of them, never seen them, can't find them it's all br*** on br*** Paul
br*** on br*** is right. like everone is saying check the cone and socket for flat spots. allso check the threds on the pipe from the regulater to the valve. the metal is thin at the threds and some times a good bump can crack it. pogo
can I get a second reccommendation on rocky's valve lapping compound idea? The rugulator appears just fine....
I stopped into a welding supply place, they said they could get me a replacement ****** for the regulator, as thats where i think the problem lies.... and i got a pair of those "Richard Petty" safty goggles/#5 shades... They also confirmed a different cutting tip was in order for use with propane.... -J
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