using c02 and propane for cutting torch

[chevyguy82]

i'm am ready to build some bumpers. i have a torch that has been used with oxygen and propane to cut steel. my oxygen bottle is out and can't get another one until after the holiday. i have a full 20lb bottle of co2. can i use co2 with propane to cut through 1/4" diamond tread steel?

 

[fmstruck]

I can't imagine that working.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Oxygen is what makes things burn.

C02 is exactly the opposite, it's good at keeping things from burning.


Without oxygen, you have no fire.

 

[sweetk30]

( DO NOT TRY THIS ) mixing things like this can lead to this . . . . .

 

[tRustyK5]

i'm am ready to build some bumpers. i have a torch that has been used with oxygen and propane to cut steel. my oxygen bottle is out and can't get another one until after the holiday. i have a full 20lb bottle of co2. can i use co2 with propane to cut through 1/4" diamond tread steel?

Flame cutting is a process where you are rapidly oxidizing the steel in a very localized area. "Controlled rusting"...strange but true. You need the fuel to create the initial heat to get the reaction started, however once the oxygen stream has been started it 'can' continue cutting without any flame. The oxygen is doing all the work, the oxy/fuel mix is just a helper.

A CO2 bottle will not hook up to your torch rig anyways (without some hillbilly modifying) The regulators are complete opposites. The CO2 bottle has male threads, the O2 bottle has female. You could swap regulators and pyhsically force the issue, but I doubt you could even get that mix to light up.

Grab a grinder and a thin cut-off disc to cut your tread plate...or wait until you can get more O2. Mixing and matching gases is not a game you want to play.

Rene

 

[chevyguy82]

thanks guys, i didn't think it would work. i saw something about using c02 welders and thought it might work. i ended up buying some 7" cutoff wheels today and spent 4 hours cutting through 1/4" diamond tread steel. well worth it, the front bumper turned out awesome. i'll be using my torch next time though, would have taken half the time.

 

[sledheadak]

just get a plasma and you wont have to worry about running out of oxygen.