[Jewelry making - Article 00271] - Re: [Orchid] Safety Tips for Oxygen & Gas Tank

[Howard Woods]

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    Does anyone have any safety tips for the tanks I won't repeat the
    other comments posted but here are a few more. Note that I usually
    document my sources but these are things I have learned over the past
    50 years beginning with metal shop in high school. I believe that my
    sources are reliable... 

    Never lay the acetylene cylinder in its side. Acetylene is unstable
    above 15 PSI so the tank contains a medium with the acetylene
    dissolved in acetone. (I hear that the medium used to be asbestos...I
    don't know if that ever was or is still true.) Laying the tank on the
    side could allow the acetone to run out first if the valve has a slow
    leak. Without acetone, the tank is unsafe and could explode. 

    When tanks are not secured in place by a safety chain, make sure the
    regulators are removed and metal caps are screwed onto the tanks. If
    you use a welding cart, remember that it can fall forwards are
    backwards on the wheels. Install the regulators such that they will
    not hit the floor if the cart falls over. It is best to secure the
    cart. What you are trying to achieve is to absolutely preclude any
    chance of a tank falling over with the force of a blow transmitting
    to the tank valve and breaking the valve. 

    I usually crack the valves shortly before installing the gauges to
    blow out any dust for foreign material that might interfere with the
    fitting seal.. That is, quickly open the valve a little and reclose
    it blowing just a little gas out. Careful with the oxygen...it is
    very high pressure; only crack the valve a little and close it
    quickly. Remember when cracking acetylene, it is a flammable gas. 

    Never place the body directly over a high pressure valve. The valves
    are the weak point of a tank. If the tanks are secured with a chain,
    the tank should stay in place if a valve blows, but the valve is a
    bullet-speed missle. The main danger from blowing valves is if the
    tank falls, when tightening connections or at the plant where they
    fill the tanks. Men have been killed leaning over a valve when
    bringing a tank up to pressure. Only tighten the fitting connection
    enough to prevent leaks. (Leak detection described two paragraphs
    down.) 

    After installing the regulators, open the acetylene valve a quarter
    but open the oxygen all the way. Wear safety glasses and never stand
    over the gauges when opening the tank valves. If a diaphram blows, it
    could blow out the glass in the gauges right into your face. 

    After attaching the regulators with a new set of tanks, set your
    pressure then, leaving pressure in the hoses turn off the regulators
    and shut the tank valve and shut off the regulators. Note the
    pressures on the gauges and wait 15 or 20 minutes and check the
    gauges again. A decrease on the high pressure gauge indicates that
    the fitting to the tank is not tight enough (or defective), thus
    leaking. A decrease on the low pressure gauge indicates a leak in
    the hose fittings, hose, or handle valves. 

    Do not use soap or leak detector soap around oxygen. Most leak
    detector soaps are designed for flammable gas leaks. The soaps are
    likely to contain oils, the leak detectors usually contain glycerin
    that is even worse. (I impress the grandkids by making a
    permanganate/glycerin volcano...Glycerin robs oxygen from the
    permanganate and spontaneously combusts. It is used in bubble soaps
    to promote bubble formation.) In addition to the possibility of
    spontaneous and/or explosive ignition, rubber parts and seals break
    down in the presence of detergents. (I know...soap and detergent are
    slightly different...however, we can't be depend on consumer labels
    to list ingredients.) 

    Protect your eyes against UV. Some fluxes cause considerable
    emmision in the visible spectrum which require dark glasses for
    comfort. However, the flame itself emits UV which doesn't seem too
    bright to look at but is harmful to the eyes. (This is something I
    have never paid much attention to when using the Little Torch but who
    knows...my vision might be a little better now if I had...The flame
    is quite small but with jewelry, the face is quite close to the
    flame) 

    Know your alloys...Oxyacetylene gets hot enough to vaporize toxic
    metals such as lead and antimony. It has the potential of producing
    more fumes. (Techically there is a difference...fumes are gases from
    metals, or so I was told in a college air quality class.) If it isn't
    known jewelry metal be sure of what your are working with. Use care
    with the costume jewelry repairs (why bother?)...I have seen some
    from "Pot Metal" aka casting alloy which is lead, tin, and antimony. 

    Your welding supply store should have a booklet about safety when
    using the gases. I recommend getting one and reading it. Also, your
    welding store clerk will be a wealth of information if you ask the
    right questions. 

Howard Woods
Eagle Idaho
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