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2006-04-18, 2:15pm
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PyronamixK
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Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
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Center Tube Erosion (torch), FWIW
When you try to run a small flame that is smaller than the torch is designed to run, ignition is taking place right off the end of jets, and the heat attacks the tubes. The outer tubes will loose a lot of that heat to the cooling fins. But, the center tube is just left there, with nothing to draw the heat away from it.
The center tube gets overheated. It will begin to glow. This is a definite sign that you need to bump up your flame. If you ignore the symptoms, the center tube will start to deteriorate (erode). If you keep running that small flame, it will just erode faster and faster. Once it erodes back enough so that the center tube is shorter than the surrounding tubes, it will start melting the surrounding tubes.
Running that teeny tiny flame for a minute or two here or there won't hurt the torch. But, sitting on that flame setting for a few minutes at a time might be all it takes to start the process. So, if someone tells you that you can run a teeny tiny flame for stringer work or whatever at that flame setting all day long (on a standard torch), watch out. If that center tube starts to glow, stop running the flame that low. Once the damage has begun, it really gets going. It should be repaired before it starts damaging the surrounding tubes.
This has been a public service announcement. Now back to your regularly scheduled browsing...
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2006-04-18, 4:23pm
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Cheerfully Profane
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Join Date: Aug 28, 2005
Location: Oblivion
Posts: 4,620
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Which torches should I be on the lookout for this problem? Is this a "big torch that probably shouldn't be run like it's a small torch" issue? i.e., Don't run a Lynx like it's a Bobcat?
I run a Minor right now and haven't ever seen a problem. Then again, it's a snap to replace one of those.
Bek
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2006-04-18, 7:48pm
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PyronamixK
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Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
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This is an issue with any torch where the user is trying to run a flame that is smaller than what the torch was designed for. I'm mainly talking about small standard torches with clustered tubes (e.g., Piranha, Minor, Bobcat, Mini CC, Knight Dragon, etc.).
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2006-04-18, 7:59pm
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Cheerfully Profane
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Join Date: Aug 28, 2005
Location: Oblivion
Posts: 4,620
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Thanks Bink!
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