Thread: Using ox propane with a ox acetylene rosebud

I converted over to ox propane for cutting on my Harris 85 torch handle, local Harris distributor said changing the cutting tip was all I needed to do , and it works well for me.

Now I really need to use the rosebud (ox acetylene rosebud rosebud) , for just one job and I don't have acetylene tanks any more. Would it be OK to just

light up that rosebud with ox /propane ? What would be the probable outcome ?


Thanks
David Lawrence

What I was told is to drill the holes twice as big just a few mm deep
That will preheat the propane somewhat

Peter

I'd be interested in the outcome because while I still have acetylene there may come a time where it is so restricted within city limits that only commercial shops will be allowed to have it.

I did a quick search and this tip can be used for either according to the manufacturer so perhaps yours can be as well.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...6846_200606846

I also found this older thread on PM.

Settings for using a rosebud?

The flame speed of Propane is much slower than acetylene. Yes you can safely use propane in an acetylene rosebud but you will have trouble lighting and the flame will be prone to blowing out.
NEVER use acetylene on a tip or rosebud that is designed for propane. The acetylene will move up inside the torch and melt the torch or cause other bad things. I have seen a propane cutting tip light up like a halloween sparkler and start to melt before we got things shut down.

I use propane with acetylene rosebud all the time. It works great, I even like it better than acetylene, it does not heat and burn the surface as fast. It is a little different to light but a tiny bit of oxy turned on to start makes it easier. It is a little diferent than acetylene as far as adjusting the flame.
Propane is not as hot, so if you use the rosebud for a longer amount of time it wont overheat the tip and start popping like acetylene will.

Lit up stock 6 holes @ 38 thou burned ok. Drilled out to 1/16 and flame looked better more robust and even.

Thanks for all the insights.

David Lawrence

Originally Posted by lalatheman

Lit up stock 6 holes @ 38 thou burned ok. Drilled out to 1/16 and flame looked better more robust and even.

Thanks for all the insights.

David Lawrence

be sure you mark that tip modified for propane! engrave with dremel or other permanent marking.

Originally Posted by lalatheman

Lit up stock 6 holes @ 38 thou burned ok. Drilled out to 1/16 and flame looked better more robust and even.

Thanks for all the insights.

David Lawrence

If someone who has both types could measure the holes we'd have a good starting point.

Originally Posted by Scottl

If someone who has both types could measure the holes we'd have a good starting point.

A propane cutting tip is very easy to identify, their 2 piece construction….

Lighting up a torch is very easy if you have some oxygen in the flame too.....I can light up a oxy /fuel cutting nozzle instantly ,where some take ages to get the gas lit....I used to have my big rosebud explode regularly ,cops came a couple of times ,then I could get away with shooting my 22 pistol ,shorts only,at pests.

Originally Posted by digger doug

A propane cutting tip is very easy to identify, their 2 piece construction….

Yes indeed and the inner part is a bit shorter as the copper shell
So with drilling the holes of your rosebud a bit bigger you get the same idea

Peter

Originally Posted by Peter from Holland

Yes indeed and the inner part is a bit shorter as the copper shell
So with drilling the holes of your rosebud a bit bigger you get the same idea

Peter

I recall that feature (now that you mentioned it) I wonder if the rosebud should be chucked in the lathe as well to counterbore that area.

Originally Posted by digger doug

I recall that feature (now that you mentioned it) I wonder if the rosebud should be chucked in the lathe as well to counterbore that area.

You could also linebore it
Drilling it bigger say 2,5mm about 4 mm deep thats where I would start

Peter

The idea is to slow and de-streamline the gas flow ,because the gas has a slower reaction speed than acetylene.......Ive see some nozzles with hundreds of holes ,precision drilled ,to get gas velocity down to near zero for glass blowing.

[QUOTE=john.k;3517417]Lighting up a torch is very easy if you have some oxygen in the flame too.....I can light up a oxy /fuel cutting nozzle instantly QUOTE]
Yup, I do it all the time.

"Hot starting" is what I call it.

Originally Posted by Rob F.

I use propane with acetylene rosebud all the time. It works great, I even like it better than acetylene, it does not heat and burn the surface as fast. It is a little different to light but a tiny bit of oxy turned on to start makes it easier. It is a little diferent than acetylene as far as adjusting the flame.
Propane is not as hot, so if you use the rosebud for a longer amount of time it wont overheat the tip and start popping like acetylene will.

If your acetylene rosebud is popping it is not overheating it is running out of acetylene, up the pressure to 10 or 11 and it will be fine.
The pops are pretty loud, scared the crap out of me the first time it happened. If your rosebud is large it may require a larger tank to provide enough gas flow, a B tank is not going to run a rosebud very well.