Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Can't get stable flame with Oxycon Propane and a little Smith Torch

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    43

    Default Can't get stable flame with Oxycon Propane and a little Smith Torch

    Hi All,

    I recently bought an oxycon and I'm having trouble getting a stable flame. The flame is going out almost immediately after oxygen is introduced eventhough the pressure is very low (below that mentioned in the instructions). When I do get a flame that appears stable it is nowhere near hot enough to solder.

    I have tried increasing and decreasing the propane and then gradually increasing the pressure on the oxygen and I can find no combination that will work. It just gets to a stage where the flame is extinguished by the increased oxygen. At times there is a gap between the torch and the flame and I've no clue whether this means too much oxygen or too much propane.

    I'm using a Little Smith Torch and head number 7.
    Any ideas on how best to sort this would be very welcome - I'm losing the will to live!

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

    Are you purging the O2 line? I find that with mine I need to run the O2 through the torch for a couple of minutes to get a decent concentration.
    Flame separated from the tip is too much pressure, but I see that more when I haven't purged first.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    937

    Default



    I just did a quick video, I had the same problem with mine but as Peter says its important to run the machine for a couple of mins then purge the Oxygen. Oh and don't chat to a camera while you should be concentrating on lighting things this is important !! :-)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

    Reminds me of the old joke of "how do you make a cat go woof"...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    937

    Default

    It nearly said something else nevermind woof lol ��!!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Thanks for coming back to me. I've purged the O2 line like you suggested but I'm still having problems. I can confirm that the PSI for the propane is as per the Little Smith instructions. Once I get close to the flame I need it extinguishes. I've taken a short video of what's happening to see if you can identify the problem. Thanks so much for your help

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

    I'd guess at too much propane at the start - back off to about half that, add some O2 in and see if you can get the flame to reducing (but smaller). Once you've got that stable, see how big you can make it...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    937

    Default

    Have you tried a smaller nozzle to see if that effects anything ? also what pressure do you have you propane set at ? I took some pictures of my settings



  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    Just to add it will take some experimentation to get your pressures correct all gauges are slightly different, treat the instructions as a guide rather than absolute numbers

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Romsey
    Posts
    5,256

    Default

    My propane is set as low as it'll go on a 0.25-2 bar regulator.
    Think the O2 flow rate is set the same as Joe's.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •