Annealing torch problems

[Turbulent Turtle]

Ah yes, the old "poof, no eyebrows" trick. I'm familiar with it.

 

[timeout]

The two kinds of regulators I found locally last night were either low pressure 1/2 psi output, or 'high' pressure adjustable from 1-60psi - I presume what I need is the latter?

Upon closer inspection, the other 'contaminated' tips do have a clear oily residue on/in them.

I got two new pencil tips @ Lowes (all they had was Benzomatic) and put them on a couple of blue 1lb bottles - everything works like its supposed to again (for now). Finding pre-made hoses with the right set of fittings may take a little longer around here.

You are right on with the oily residue clogging the screen. For quite awhile, I thought maybe the tip nozzle or adjustment valve was the problem. I have torn them apart, used every type of cleaner, compressed air and bad language. I started with the small bottles and later switched to the "barbeque style" tank. I have tried to clean out the inside of the hoses. A Bernzomatic rep told me the small bottle style tanks must be upright. I doubt that, as I have used these in every position for soldering copper fittings. The only thing that I haven't tried is a regulator. Not sure why this would be needed with the small bottle tanks, as they are not used in soldering copper fittings. I really lean towards the Bernzomatic torch heads being a piece of junk. I love my BenchSource annealer, but have wastes dozens of hours with torch heads that will not work. Let us know if you get this all figured out!

 

[flatlander]

I tried buying a regulator for use with my Giraud annealer since I use a 20lb LP tank. Bought the only one the hardware store had in stock; it must be the low pressure model, since I was unable to get my torch to light with it in place. I refill the 20lb bottle out of a 1000gal tank using an adaptor; haven't had any issues with contamination to date.

Actually, the only issue I've had is getting the flame to stay a constant length with the valve & torch tip that Doug supplied with the annealer. Sometimes, it works like a charm, and others, I just have to keep dinking with it during the annealing session. Probably temperature related, though I'd like to find an adjustable regulator to see if that would help.

 

[mr45man]

Flatlander:
I have the same issues ,seems the valve is way to touchy/course
In cold weather the flame starts to "Pulse"so i have to turn off the
brass feed and Dink with it.
John H.

 

[amlevin]

Actually, the only issue I've had is getting the flame to stay a constant length with the valve & torch tip that Doug supplied with the annealer. Sometimes, it works like a charm, and others, I just have to keep dinking with it during the annealing session. Probably temperature related, though I'd like to find an adjustable regulator to see if that would help.

This is not uncommon with the type of valves necessary for fine control over a flame. As the heat travels back to a valve with close tolerances they tend to close down as the body expands.

One solution is to mount the valve farther from the burner so heat is radiated from the pipe rather than soaking the valve.

 

[memilanuk]

Well, the system is back up and operating using the new pencil tips and the old 1 lb blue bottles. One of the new tips gave me a bit of a scare last night - had it screwed down tight and it wouldn't shut off! Eventually got it to turn off, and once I had it working again proceeded to anneal a batch of cases (~250 Federal .308 cases for one of my 'little' guns). Everything worked fine, and thankfully, shut off as planned when all was said and done.

 

[Petros284]

I have seen bad gas before so it happens. The problem is that the tips get fouled from it and need cleaning to get working again".

immike, anyone who has travelled with you has seen this occur .

Really if anyone would know issues with torches it would be Mike, he uses them on a daily basis.