Torch Tip Question

[DRussell]

I need a new cutting tip for my torch. I use propane instead of acetylene because that is what it came with when I got it. The torch head is an Airco and uses Victor style cutting tips. I'm seeing different tips for propane/natural gas and acetylene on Amazon. What is the difference in these tips?

Edit: It appears to use Airco style tips, not victor.

 

[drsportster]

Size of the orifices

 

[JMOR]

Size of the orifices

is that the only difference?

 

[DRussell]

Will Victor tips fit on an Airco?

 

[Mule Meat]

Will Victor tips fit on an Airco?

Some Victor tips will fit an Airco. Can't say if all will or not.

 

[Keith True]

The oxy and gas mixes together at different locations in the tip for the different gases.I have a torch that has a tip for propane,but that tip for mine is 2 piece.My propane tips will NOT work with acetylene.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I can't tell you the difference, but I can tell you an acetylene tip will not work with propane. MAPP tips will work with propane.

The brand I use, the acetylene tips are brass colored, but the propane tips are "chrome." MAPP tips are two-piece.

 

[JMOR]

The oxy and gas mixes together at different locations in the tip for the different gases.I have a torch that has a tip for propane,but that tip for mine is 2 piece.My propane tips will NOT work with acetylene.

Thanks Keith, that mixing part is key.

 

[caterpillar guy]

My propane tips are 2 piece also. The inside piece looks like it is got small slits in it length ways all the way aroundwith a center hole for the oxygen to blow away the melted material then a smooth sleeve looking piece slides over it with a threaded ring holding them tight together

 

[Welding man]

I tried propane once and Mapp once, I didn't like either one of them. Went back to acetylene and that is where I will stay.

 

[Texasmark]

When I moved to the country I noticed locals using Propane since it was handy. So I tried it for awhile but found that It takes more attention to get the desired result and went back to Acetylene....and yes I used the appropriate tips.

 

[thomlan05]

just remember propane wont get as hot definitely a change, wouldn't recommend in rusty areas, Wisconsin native

 

[gears]

I agree with TM. I found using propane I had to use waaaay more propane to melt metal.

 

[504]

Take your old tip off and you will find the part number. It will look something like 1-22/101-3. It will be on the end near the nut. Just buy the one you want. The last number is the size, I run the #4 because it doesn’t plug as easily the smaller tips (#1). Acetylene and propane tips come as either two pieces or one piece. Propane is a whole bunch cheaper but you really can’t weld with it. I have never seen a scrap yard use acetylene for cutting, propane I sell two to three hundred pounds a week. If you have some steelwool it polish the soot off and leave the numbers intact.

 

[kencombs]

All the propane tips I've owned or used were 2 pc. Either for Dad's old Craftsman (Harris) or my Victor. Dad used tht torch with propane exclusively from the late 60s until he retired in '90. I still have and use it. His use was only cutting, and the propane/oxy was MUCH cheaper to operate that acetylene. Cuts about the same on stuff up to 3/8", just slower to get the first melt. Less slag on the bottom IME.

 

[moresmoke]

Look up the chart information for the tip you want to buy and make sure you have the right size. The first time I tried to switch to propane, I was using so much oxygen it made no sense. Not too long ago after swapping an empty acetylene B and a hundred bucks for a full tank, I tried propane again. Turns out the first go round I had been sold a cutting tip for 4” steel. Got the proper size tip and it works much better.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I agree with TM. I found using propane I had to use waaaay more propane to melt metal.

When you can get a 20lb tank of propane for $12 and a 40cf bottle of acetylene costs many times that, I'll live with using a "lot" more propane.

 

[DRussell]

When you can get a 20lb tank of propane for $12 and a 40cf bottle of acetylene costs many times that, I'll live with using a "lot" more propane.

Yes, I never switched from propane to acetylene with it. I have never welded with it, and have no plans to start. I use it to heat stuff that needs to come loose or to cut stuff that I can't cut with my plasma cutter or one of my Evolution saws, or my bandsaw.

 

[Texasmark]

When you can get a 20lb tank of propane for $12 and a 40cf bottle of acetylene costs many times that, I'll live with using a "lot" more propane.

Not any $12 20# Tanks around here.....try $20

 

[will-max dairy]

Look up the chart information for the tip you want to buy and make sure you have the right size. The first time I tried to switch to propane, I was using so much oxygen it made no sense. Not too long ago after swapping an empty acetylene B and a hundred bucks for a full tank, I tried propane again. Turns out the first go round I had been sold a cutting tip for 4” steel. Got the proper size tip and it works much better.

Propane vs Acetylene

Different tips

Different settings

Different technique

Good results for cutting or heating are possible with either just different strengths/weaknesses. Welding can be done only with acetylene.

Propane produces almost twice as many BTUs per volume as acetylene...but to do that, it needs more oxygen... so with my two tips... I run 40PSI oxygen with 8PSI propane... but only 20PSI oxygen with 8PSI acetylene.

Because the oxygen to fuel ratio is different, the tips have to mix differently... and the flames are different to boot (acetylene has the higher temperature flame tighter to the tip)... you have to run the torch head further from the work with propane to hit the magic spot on the flame and get all those BTUS at the lower temperature.

Acetylene will give a more accurate cut... high temperature... less oxygen blowing through...tip tight to the work.

But as far as pure cutting ability goes? And pure heat-applied-to-the-workpiece-per-unit-time? Not even close. If I need to cut something big... or do a lot of cutting... I hook up the BBQ tank, set my regulators at 40PSI and 8PSI... put on the propane tip and let it eat. It doesn't care about rust, paint, metal or your mama... it's just gonna cut. Buuuuut with the further torch tip distance...and all that oxygen blowing through...if you're cutting a shape, you need to give the kerf some space... and...you'll spend some more time grinding and such, if you need a clean cut.

Although... sometimes... I admit to getting a little overzealous with the settings on the actual torch... with 40PSI of oxygen... if you light the torch with a little too much propane... then set the oxygen until your flame is neutral... and make no further adjustments to dial back both oxygen and propane... your torch tip will howl like a little mini-jet engine... and... man... will it cut... but it's sloppy... it's almost as if you are using the oxygen lever all the time. Great for cutting junk up for scrap... no good if you're trying to cleanly get a bearing off a shaft.