Hard- Surfacing, Building Fusion Welding Carbon Welding Non-Ferrous Metals Heating & Heat Treating Braze Welding Welding Cast Iron Welding Ferrous Metals Brazing & Soldering Equipment Set-Up Operation Equipment For OXY-Acet Structure of Steel Mechanical Properties of Metals Oxygen & Acetylene OXY-Acet Flame Physical Properties of Metals How Steels Are Classified Expansion & Contraction Prep For Welding OXY-Acet Welding & Cutting Safety Practices Manual Cutting Oxygen Cutting By Machine Appendices Testing & Inspecting
1 Continued on next page... SETUP AND OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT This chapter will describe how to set up a typical oxy-acetylene welding or cutting outfit, and how to light the torch and adjust the flame. Precautions which must be observed during setup and lighting will be covered. The next chapter (7) will cover precautions which should be observed in the course of actual welding and cutting operations. Please do not attempt to set up and operate an outfit until you feel thoroughly familiar with the content of both chapters. The make-up of a complete outfit was given in the opening paragraphs of Chapter 5. Please make sure that you have on hand everything needed before you start to set up. Attaching Pressure-Reducing Regulators Fasten the cylinders to be used in an upright position so that they cannot be knocked or pulled over. If cylinders are not on a suitable cylinder cart, they should be securely fastened, with chain or equivalent, to a work- bench, wall, or post. As explained earlier in Chapter 3, acetylene cylinders should never be stored or used other than in a vertical position. Remove the protective cap from the oxygen cylinder, and from the acetylene cylinder, if so equipped. ”Crack” the cylinder valves. Stand so that the gas leaving the cylinder outlet will not be directed onto your face or clothing. Open the valve quickly about one-quarter of a turn, then close it immediately. This will clear the valve outlet opening of accumulated dust or dirt which might, if not blown out, mar the seat of the regulator nipple or be carried into the regulator. PRECAUTION: Never ”crack” a fuel gas cylinder valve near other welding or cutting work in progress, or near sparks, flame, or other possible source of ignition. Connect the oxygen regulator to the oxygen cylinder and the acetylene regulator to the acetylene cylinder. If the acetylene regulator and the acetylene cylinder have different threads, it will be necessary to use an adaptor between the regulator and the cylinder. As stated in Chapter 5, two quite different acetylene cylinder connections are widely used in the U. S.