dirty acetylene or cleaner propane??

[rockjunquie]

I had pretty much made up my mind to go with an acetylene torch, but I keep reading that it is a dirtier flame than propane. In practical terms, does it really matter?

[steelandstone]

Well I guess I will put my two pennies in on this one. The smith handi-heats are "tuned" quite well in my opinion and you get very little soot. Much less than if you were using a full blown Oxy/Acet torch setup that you have to adjust yourself. Propane is cleaner but in the end it comes down to personal preference. Our studio is 250sq. ft. and any soot from the handi-heat has been minimal at most and has never been an issue.

[rockjunquie]

Jan 19, 2014 12:42:26 GMT -5 steelandstone said:

Well I guess I will put my two pennies in on this one. The smith handi-heats are "tuned" quite well in my opinion and you get very little soot. Much less than if you were using a full blown Oxy/Acet torch setup that you have to adjust yourself. Propane is cleaner but in the end it comes down to personal preference. Our studio is 250sq. ft. and any soot from the handi-heat has been minimal at most and has never been an issue.

Thanks! That's what I was wondering. Saying it is dirtier than propane may not actually amount to a hill of beans.

I meant to tell you that I checked out your shop. I like those heavy metal pieces- the ones with the bigger back plates. They have a nice organic look.

[steelandstone]

I meant to tell you that I checked out your shop. I like those heavy metal pieces- the ones with the bigger back plates. They have a nice organic look.

I meant to tell you that I checked out your shop. I like those heavy metal pieces- the ones with the bigger back plates. They have a nice organic look.

Thank you for the compliment, some of the bigger heavier pieces are the wife's like the two Chrysocolla ones.

Back to the torches, I think you will be happy with either one you get. If you can swing the extra bucks you really can not go wrong with the smith handi-heat. And as far as bottle exchanges if you do not have a industrial welding supply place close to you check your local Northern Tool or Tractor supply as they both have thoroughbred bottle exchange around here. I stopped renting or leasing bottles years ago as I do not go through enough of it to justify the slightly lower refill price.

[jamesp]

I like your style too. Have friend w/very similar style to yours.

[bobby1]

Acetylene is the hottest burning fuel (except for hydrogen)so it is my preferred choice for a fuel gas. As long as you turn on the oxygen slightly before opening the acetylene and lighting the flame you won't get any sooty carbon from the flame.
One downside on propane is that it is heavier than air so any fuel leaked pools on the floor and can easily build up to an explosive mixture. Most jurisdictions prohibit any propane tanks from being used in an occupied dwelling because of this pooling. Most fire insurance companies won't pay on any claims where propane is being used inside.
Bob

[deb193redux]

flux, like Prips flux, protects pretty well when I use air/acetylene