Self-check

Write the letter of the correct answer in your notebook.

1. Which welding operation is done by burning two gases?

a. Arc welding c. Heat welding
b. Gas welding d. Oxyacetylene welding
2. The part of the oxyacetylene equipment that is made from seamless drawn steel is the
a. Oxygen cylinder c. Steel cylinder
b. Acetylene cylinder d. Pressure cylinder
3. What is considered the heart of the welding and cutting system?
a. Oxyacetylene cylinder c. Pressure regulator
b. Welding torch d. Pressure gauge
4. The lighting instrument that is used to ignite the welding torch is the
a. Regular lighter c. Torch sparklighter
b. Welding lighter d. Spark lighter
5. Which instrument is used to mix the oxygen and acetylene in nearly equal quantities?

Lesson 16 Preparing the Apparatus for Welding

As a beginner, you should familiarize yourself with the method of assembling the welding
apparatus. You must follow correct procedure for the equipment to be properly and safely connected.
The procedure involves setting up the welding apparatus, testing for leaks, lighting, adjusting, and
shutting of the flame.

Setting up the Welding Apparatus

1. Chain the cylinder in the following manner:

A. Fasten the cylinders securely to a tank or to some other fixed object where they are to be
located.
B. Remove the protector cap(if any) from the cylinders and closely examine the outlet nozzles
C. Check the connection seat or screw threads for any possible damage.

2. Crack the cylinder valves following these steps:

A. Clean the valves of each cylinder for just an insant.
B. Clean the connection seat using a piece of cloth.
3. Attach the pressure regulators in the following way:
A. Connect the oxygen pressure regulator to the oxygen cylinder and the acetylene pressure to
the other cylinder.
B. Tighten the nuts using a close-fitting wrench.

4. Connect the hose to the regulators following these steps:

A. Connect the green hose to the oxygen regulator and the red hose to the acetylene
regulator.
B. Check the adjusting screw on each regulator. Make certain that the screws are released
before the cylinder valves are opened. Open the oxygen valve all the way, but turn the
acetylene cylinder valve only once for sufficient supply.
C. Blow out any dirt that may lodge in the hose by opening the regulator adjusting screws and
promptly closing them again when the hose has been cleaned.

5. Connect the hose to the torch by connecting the red hose to the needle-valve fitting and the
green hose to the oxygen needle valve.
TESTING FOR LEAKS
After setting up the welding apparatus, you must test for leaks before operating the apparatus.
A leaky apparatus does not only mean wasted gas but it can also mean risk to life and property as it may
start a fire.

To test for leaks, proceed as follows:

1. Apply soap on all connections using a small brush. The formation of bubbles indicates a leak in
that connection in which case no flame should be lighted.
2. If there is a leak, tighten the connections a little with a wrench.
3. If the leal does not stop, shut off the gas pressure, open the connections, and thoroughly
examine the screw threads.
4. Check the hose regularly. If the hose is old and porous, replace it.

LIGHTING, ADJUSTING, AND SHUTTING OFF THE FLAME

When the welding apparatus is found to have no leaks, the first operation at the welding bench
is ready to be performed. Correct sequence of operations should be strictly followed to avoid any
accident and damage to life and property.

LIGHTING THE TORCH

1. Select the required tip and screw it to the torch.
2. Open the oxygen and acetylene valves.
3. Set the working pressure recommended for the size of tip to be used. Refer to Table 7 for the
recommended sizes of tips for various metals.
4. Turn the acetylene needle valve approximately three-fourths of a turn.
5. With the torch sparklighter, ignite the acetylene at the welding tip as rapidle as possible to avoid
unnecessary wasting of gas. If the acetylene is insufficient, considerable smoke is produced. In
this case, quickly turn on more acetylene until the flame leaps from the tip.

FLAME ADJUSTMENT
With the acetylene burning, gradually open the oxygen valve until a well-defined, cone-shaped
flame appears. This is surrounded by a second bluish, cone-shaped flame that is faintly luminous. This is
the neutral flame. This flame uses equal parts of acetylene and oxygen and has the least tendency to
change the properties of the base metal and the filler rod in making a weld.

When there is an excess oxygen forced into the mixture, the produced flame is said to be
oxidizing. When this flame is applied in making a weld, it may burn out some of strength-giving elements
in the base metal and the filler rod.

If the proportion has an excess acetylene, it produces carburizing flame. This flame can case
harden steel welds and make them brittle.

When this torch is in use, inspect the flame from time to time and readjust it if necessary.