old oxy/acet tank dangers?

[02mx-5]

I have had these two tanks in my garage for longer then ive been alive. Im 19 and these were my grandfathers from when he used to race. Ever since i was little i just figured they were empty tanks and never considered they were still good. The other day i took the tanks off the shelf that they were on since.....before i was born. THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEM! plenty of pressure. HOWEVER im afraid that they are going to explode because they are so old. I watched some accidents like this on youtube and am afraid to be one of the unlucky. Does anyone know if i should scrap the tanks and get new or can i use the gas?

 

[Rickracer]

I'd use up the gases, then get them tested and re-certified, age doesn't really affect them, rust and corrosion do though. Any place that fills bottles can get them tested and re-certified.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Use em empty, have em swaped for full ones at a gas store. An oxyacetylene torch can come in very handy, but you need somebody to show you how to run one, there are a few things you must know to avoid blowing yourself up.

Most importantly, never open and oxygen tank without a reg on it, the airflow out can cause enough friction to start the tank itself on fire.

Never run your acetylene reg past 15 psi, above that it can explode by itself, without any oxygen.

 

[02mx-5]

Thanks for the advise Kenny. One of the tanks has a little bit of surface rust, it looks like its minimal. I dont know much about this type of welding but IIRC you open each tank 1/4 to 1/2 turn, acetylene is turned on first, then oxygen and you adjust for a small point in the flame. Is that about right? Will this setup work for welding frames?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Yes, it will work for frames. You can braze and gas weld with oxy/acet. Brazing is weaker, and is basically like soldering, gas welding is much stronger and is basically tig without electricity.

 

[02mx-5]

In school we learned to braze. Isnt that like copper or bronze or something? Would i just get a different type of rod if i wanted to weld a steel frame?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

you can braze steel, but its not as strong as gas welding, which is basically like a much much hotter version of brazing. Gas welding doesn't require a special rod, you can use coat hangers for steel, i wouldnt trust a brazed frame, but gas welding should be fine.

 

[Rickracer]

Gas welding and brazing are pretty much the same thing, brazing uses brass (brazing) rods, gas welding uses steel (welding) rods, (even coat hangers, I've welded hundreds of exhaust repairs with coat hanger before I bought my first MIG machine). Curiously enough, both are very much like TIG welding, only you are using the torch tip for heat instead of an electric arc. You WILL need a brazing or welding torch/tip though, a cutting torch/tip DOES NOT LIKE that much heat.

 

[jr dragster T]

Thanks for the advise Kenny. One of the tanks has a little bit of surface rust, it looks like its minimal. I dont know much about this type of welding but IIRC you open each tank 1/4 to 1/2 turn, acetylene is turned on first, then oxygen and you adjust for a small point in the flame. Is that about right? Will this setup work for welding frames?

Ok, A little lesson on Oxy welding. First of all like Kenny said Acetylene is unstable above 15 psi and will detonate at 30 PSI. With a welding blowpipe 5-7 pounds is plenty of acetylene to weld 1.5"+ steel. Your oxygen pressure for welding should be set around 10. Generally these days torch welding has been outdated and is now taken over by TIG welding or Tungsten Inert gas. When using the cutting attachment run the acetylene around 7 PSI and the oxygen as high as 30 depending on the steel and conditions. Remember, There are 4 flames for torch welding. The first one is your Acetyelene flame which is yellow and very smoky. The next flame is carburizing which isn't good for much because it is far too cold. The next flame is known as the neutral flame where little or no feather is present at the welding tip and the flame is silent. This is ideal welding temperature. The last flame is Oxidizing and you will have a flame with a large feather at the tip and the flame will be somewhat loud and hissing. This is far too hot to weld anything. Just experiment with the torch valves and you will figure it out eventually. Just remember not to be scared of it, Just respect the power of acetylene and oxygen.

 

[02mx-5]

Thanks for the advise. I tested out the tanks today. i kept the psi very low for each tank because i didnt want any problems. Does anyone ahve any pictures showing the different tips of the flame? I want to see what a welding flam should look like. Also, how much does it cost to have the tanks refilled? Both are about 2 feet tall.

 

[jr dragster T]

Here are the flame types. Notice acetylene flame is not shown because its good for nothing just like Oxidizing.

http://www.twi.co.uk/content/jk3.html

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Although TIG has mostly taken over oxyacetylene, you will never be able to beat welding without a power cord!

 

[jr dragster T]

Welding with a torch is old stuff man lol. I've started to master it at school but I hate when you get a little too hot or too close and it POPSS! On the other hand cutting with a torch is AWESOME! I cut threw a piece of solid 1" steel bar today like it was cheese.

 

[02mx-5]

Yea, gas welding is pretty oldschool. I want to get a mig, but i have a low budget, and i just so happened to have these tanks laying around.

 

[newrider3]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/cutting-torch-safety.html
also
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/gas-welding.html