Safety question

[Guy Thomas]

I'm at a point where I need to think about getting a tank of oxygen and acetylene in my shop for various reasons and projects.
Seeing as my shop is my garage should I be worried about having them at my home, or are these things so over-engineered that they would probably be the safest things around your home and family? (I've heard they are made from bullet proof steel, but they are imposing things to have around.)
Any input here is appreciated! (Worried Dad in Tallahassee-Guy Thomas)

 

[L6steel]

Guy, I've had a set of the larger bottles in my 12 by 16 shop for 3-4 years and never had a problem. It's like everything else, you gotta use your common sense and treat them with care. Build a good cart and rig it so you can attach it to the wall with rope or chain.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

 

[mikeS]

They are not bulletproof. They are quite safe if handled as they should be, I suggest you check out a welding book from the library that covers the safe handling of them. You might be able to get a safety sheet from your gas supplier. For instance did you know acetylene is classified as an explosive? Did you know not to lay an acetylene bottle on its side, or drop it? That said, I,ve had bottles at my house for over 20 years and only one mishap.
That was a leaky cylinder valve, that caught fire. Thank the Lord he was with me that day.

 

[cjensema]

Originally posted by mikeS:
I,ve had bottles at my house for over 20 years and only one mishap. That was a leaky cylinder valve, that caught fire.

That sounds like an interesting story. Want to tell us about it?

 

[e_utopia]

Ever seen a propane tank, like on a gas grill, go off? Do you think twice about having one of those around? If not, just treat the oxy/acetylene righ with the same (okay, maybe a little more) respect. One thing I would invest in, since the rig will be indoors, is a combustible gas detector (similar to a smoke detector, but warns of combustible gas) to alert me if a leak forms. I can't give any more advice since I don't heat-treat anything, and use a MIG welder for my welding needs.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

 

[mikeS]

I was building an outdoor wood furnace next to the house. The cutting torch was about 3' from the house and I was welding lagging on the stove to attach the panel drain, when a spark blew onto the torch and flame started shooting out of the acetylene bottle. (Acetylene is quite unstable when handled in this manner.) I shut the valve, fortunantly it was only leaking when turned on. I took it back to my supplier and told him I had a problem with the Valve on his acetylene bottle. His attitude was a lot more friendly when I told him about the flame shooting out of the top of the bottle.

The next week I watched a fire training film on hazardous materials, and learned that compressed gas cylinders eplode readily when, they are caught fire from the top. Like I said, "Thankyou Lord"