I could hardly disagree more. That's if you are willing to learn a little about what you're doing. If you insist in operating in blind ignorance then the above advice is sound. I learned to operate a torch in the 1960s and have bought and sold dozens of cylinders and many dozens of torches and regulators. I have a good friend who worked his entire career rebuilding torches and regulators and he taught me much about the practice. Stick with high quality torches and regulators and keep them in good condition and you have nothing to fear. Respect, certainly. Not fear.
If you don't do gas welding, this makes good sense. Propane works fine for torch cutting, heating and brazing. But acetylene is the only gas suitable for welding. All other fuel gasses have too much hydrogen so a weld made with them suffers from hydrogen embrittlement.
That's an interesting idea, but wrong. Gasses mix together according to universal gas laws. Again, a little education goes a long ways. It's true acetylene is lighter than air and propane heavier. But either is only explosive when mixed with air in a fairly narrow range. For propane I think the mixture has to be 13-20% propane, for example.
I don't mean to go off on anyone. I'm sure the above poster means well. I just like to see actual factual information disseminated.
metalmagpie
I'm sure your more educated than I am with a gas welder.
The blind ignorance thing isn't my way of doing anything. My experience in brazing goes back 40 years. I don't do much gas welding other than brazing or cutting.
Back when I bought used regulators and torches the internet didn't exist and searching for parts wasn't as easy. I would not have considered paying for such a basic rebuild job.
The world of rebuilding regulator and torches is becoming obsolete. Im sure rebuilders can be found. I want the parts
There isn't any part of rebuilding a regulator or torch that's not simple mechanics. The quality of the old regulators and torches was a lot better than today.
Guide me too a catalog or source for parts.
Both gases will mix with air given time. Its my understanding that propane is more dangerous in a building. That may be wrong.
Thanks for the education on gasses. Some of what you said I didn't know.
I know where there is a bucket of old regulators.. I would enjoy rebuilding them if you have a parts source. Ill google search.
Rebuilding anything like that is getting harder in a throw away world.
I tried to buy a new diaphragm for a hand fuel pump on my diesel engine and all that's sold is a new crimped together replacement' .All I needed was a diaphram.
Over sea's people make the whole part cheaper than a rebuild kit use to cost
Its not the 1960's anymore