I still have my ox acetylene welding and cutting outfit, been sitting in the corner for like 15 years...still a bit of gas left but not much, I should go fill the bottles and test the hoses because I know there will come a time when I need it, (even though I havnt in 15 yrs
...I'm curious, bugsymike, I've never tried patch panels in an old car , does it work well? I may give it a try just for the experience
It is all we ever used when I started in the trade and you have the advantage of being able to warm the metal to bend to shape as you are working.
Obviously more of a fire risk
We had a guy I knew in the late 60s and until he recently passed away used to do all the local trade Mot welding repairs at so economical a price no one bothered to do their own.
He would use a very small flame, do a really neat job and could get so close to a petrol tank without dismantling that he saved hours of labour.
When asked about going over to Mig welding, he answered "Migs are for cowboys!"
In fairness to him when Migs first came in to regular use we had another bodyshop do some MOT patching when he was busy and when I inspected their work I could tear it off with a screwdriver as they had done no cleaning or penetration of the metal, so they didn't get any more custom from us!
The Oxy/Acetylene was so versatile, as an apprentice late 60s we could use a small nozzle and solder brass radiator header tanks etc. put in a large nozzle and heat a flywheel ring gear to drop on a flywheel, we could change to a cutting torch and burn through thick metal, so most garage jobs. It was also possible with the normal welding torch to cut metal by getting it red hot with the torch and then turning the Acetylene gase off and the Oxygen one up.
We did have a big arc welder also.
Most big fishing boats around here had a set of bottles to cut off trawler gear etc. They called it a "Gas Axe"!
The only thing I would say is make sure your regulators have spark arrestors fitted, it is quite frightening when you hear gas popping back towards the bottles!
Also make sure no grease or anything on the gas bottle fittings particularly the Oxygen. I had quite an argument as a young student with a new lecturer who thought he knew everything, only to be proved wrong by me.
He said it was the Acetylene and I was firm it was the Oxygen.
"
Oxygen and other oxidant gases can react violently and produce a fire or an explosion when in contact with oils or grease"
Finally you may find insurance companies very risk averse re most forms of welding equipment and in particular gas.
