Yesterday, I wanted to do a little heating and bending with my Oxy/Ace set up and cranked open the tank valve and Whamo! The gauge goes clear up to God knows where and I quickly shut it off and the relief valve popped open! What the hell? Did I just blow my diaphram in my Oxygen regulator? Is this something I can replace/fix?, or should I bend over and let the weld shop handle it? As always, this tape will self destruct in 30 seconds!! Your thoughts (other than I'm brainless,I already know that!!) oh kind hot rod bretheren... Mikey
hate it when that happens, yeah, probably blew the diaphram, if its a decent one they can rebuild it for a few bucks, alot less than a new one, last one i had done was about 30 bucks, i was lucky, they even had a loaner for me in the mean time, so, keep ya fingers crossed....
Backing your regulators off, when not in use, will prevent this and extend regulator life. Buddy got a little drunk and turned his regs full up while he thought he was closing the tank valves. Had to replace both and the o2 low side gauge literally exploded sometime after he left the shop.
Yep,many moons ago in welding school class the instructor was adamant about backing the regulators off and never to stand in front of or over the gauge when you cranked the tanks on.Never forgot that.
Yep, backem off when done,had that happen a couple times at work, scared the crap out of me each time
This is why you buy quality the first time round. Bet you had to scrape your boxer shorts clean. I've never done it, but been near when others have..........and then I squeaked and ran like a rabbit.
Mickey , you were lucky . You could have done a lot worst than what happened . A lot of times you end up getting cut by flying glass or plastic depending on what set you have . When using the gauges you MUST always shut them off when you stop using them . If you don't turn them off all the time you will start opening up the valve all the way open full and bang ! It's just a habit of mine that every time I stop welding I always turn the tank off no matter if I am going to do more welding in a couple minutes or not . That way you get into the habit of shutting the tanks off all the time . You can get the gauges rebuild a lot cheaper than buying another set . Well I guess you will have to ask Santa for another set of gauges for Christmas ! Be safe & careful . Retro Jim
A tank regulator and gauge is not something that is rebuildable at home. If it's a quality industrial regulator get it professionally rebuilt at a welding supply store. If it's a Harry homeowner unit, just get a new regulator. The potential for a catastrophe is just too great. IMHO
Mikey, glad your alright, most people when they open the valves open way too fast, that's some serious pressure to release all at once. OPEN SLOWLY. Most people also take for granted the valve itself can never blow and open the valve with how -thier palm of thier hand on top of the knob. Think about it, right? You should always use your finger tips off the side of the knob, and your palm of your hand off to the side and NOT on top. BDM
Oxy tanks should be opened all the way, and Ace tanks just a turn or two according to my old welding instructor.
Oxygen tank valves have a seal on the fully open side of the valve as well as the closed side, that's why ox valves are fully open, to seal the open valve when under high pressure. Ace and propane valves just 1 turn for quick shut off in case of problems.
The quarter to a turn was correct 30 years ago. Newer valving on the acet is backstopped. Open all the way Most hoses will drain themselves in pretty short order, even a tiny leak will do it.. It is a good idea though to drain the o2 hose if you leave your cutting torch attached to the hoses. Any leakage can cause the o2 to enter the acet hose causing a explosive situation in the hose
Once you have your gauges set , you leave them alone . So when you start to open the tank you very slowly crack the valve open till the needles on the gauges move where whey are suppose to be , then I give one turn to 1.5 turns TOTAL . I never use more than one complete turn and a 1/2 from the closed position . That's all you really need . The oxegon hose should be either open all the way or closed all the way to prevent escape. After I finish a job and turn the valves completely off , I open the gas & oxegon valves to let the lines clear our . Retro Jim
Always open the oxygen valve slowly. Even the oil off your skin is enough to cause your oxygen regulator to blow up when opened up quickly.
I learn something new every day. I haven't been backing off the gauges, but always do close the tank valves and bleed the lines. Thanks for the info.
I had an experience like this, didn't know someone had used my torches. Son's friend convinced my son (both were about 15 or 16 years old.), I went to use the torches and was surprised I was still alive and in one piece! Didn't know my commerical gauges could be rebuilt according to my welding store so bought new home owner ones. By the way, my son knows the difference now and no will use my torches unless I'm dead! Thanks guys for the the tips!
The Jalopy Journal
