Pinto Car Club of America

I'm thinking about reviving my dad's old acetylene torch on my next days off. The thing is thirty years old and I am wondering if the regulators degrade or otherwise go bad in that sort of time.

My set is about 35 years old now and it seems to work okay.  The regulator internal springs do not have the tension they once did but there is still enough travel to adjust the pressure.  When not in use, I did back off the spring tension to minimize the degradation.  The hose did deterorate to where I did not feel safe and the hose was replaced.  In-line hose check valves were also added (another just in case safety item).  The eye goggle elastic went away and was replaced.  If the tanks are also this old, they probably need to be taken in for inspection or whatever they do to ensure they are safe (I do not know the rules on this).  Come to think of it, taking the whole set in to a welding shop for inspection may be wise.

FLAME ARRESTERS!!!!!! Go to your local shop or check online for a set of flame arresters. They prevent the flame from going back through the line and blowing the tanks up. Either type will do, the set that hooks at the bottom of the torch itself or the type that go on the regulator itself. Older torches didnt have them. New ones do. If anything I think (but dont qoute me) a new kit with everything but the tanks themselves is in the $300 to $400 range, and it would have the arresters already. Happy Cutting! :evil: