[Jewelry making - Article 00425] - Re: [Orchid] Lighting the Meco Midget Torch

[Dale Burnett]

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Hi Noel and All,

    I have a Meco Midget torch also so I just tried a little
    experimentation.  I have refillable oxygen and propane tanks with
    Smith Equipment regulators.  I normally use a Meco NG #0 torch tip. 
    My oxygen regulator goes up to 150 psi in 5 psi increments and the
    propane regulator goes up to 60 psi in 2.5 psi increments.  I
    normally have both pressures set at about 15-20 psi when working and
    the only problem I have had with this is that the valves on the
    torch are open so slightly that it can be a little touchy setting
    the flame the way I want it but I haven't had a problem lighting the
    torch.  I pretty much arrived at these pressures somewhat
    arbitrarily but had not done much experimentation since this has
    been working for me.  The procedure I follow when lighting the torch
    is to open the tank valves, set the regulator pressures, turn on the
    propane at the torch and light it with a striker.  After it is lit,
    I then add the oxygen and adjust both oxy and propane until I get
    the flame I want.  I do have to be careful that I don't let too much
    fuel gas out before I get it ignited with the striker or I too can
    end up with a fireball.  I have found that this is just a matter of
    getting a feel for how much to open the torch valve to get
    sufficient gas flowing to ignite and not so much to blow itself out
    or create a fireball if the first couple of strikes don't ignite it. 

    I just tried the same procedure but with both gas pressures set to
    about 5 psi.  I had no problems lighting the torch.  Actually it was
    easier than at the pressures I have been using because I have better
    control with the torch valves.  The tip I am using is as Peter
    described.  It has a center hole and smaller orifices around the
    outside.  If you cannot see them with your eyes, you should be able
    to see the blue streaks emanating from them after you light the
    torch and add the oxygen. 

    When I shut down my torch, I close the tank valves, light the torch
    as I normally do and let the propane burn off.  Due to the higher
    tank pressure of the oxygen, there is still oxygen left after the
    propane has burned off and I let this run out.  Then I back out the
    regulator screws then close the torch valves.  I have been told that
    releasing the pressure on the regulators when not in use helps them
    last longer.  I prefer to burn off the propane because I just don't
    like the idea of releasing a flammable gas into the room. 

    Hope this may provide some insight, Dale 



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