In this article, we will discuss general features and operating principles of flame cutting metal of the two most popular torch fuel types: acetylene and propane.

OXYGEN/ACETYLENE TORCH

This is a handheld gas torch that burns a mixture of acetylene and oxygen to produce a high-temperature flame (5,800°F). It is one of the most popular tools for cutting ferrous metals, not stainless steel, bronze, or copper. It does not do well with heavily rusted metal. Have an angle grinder as part of your torch kit to remove rust.

One tank is filled with acetylene while the other is filled with oxygen. The two gases are then combined and passed through the torch tip to produce an extremely hot, narrow stream of fire that can weld or cut. Never allow the torch tip to touch the work piece during this process. Typical flame coupling distance is about inch, depending on the tip size, ideally just close enough so the tips of the preheat flames contact the work piece.

Acetylene is extremely unstable. The gas is shipped in special cylinders designed to keep it stable. The cylinders are packed with porous materials such as diatomaceous earth, then filled to around 50% capacity with acetone. The cylinder is then topped off with acetylene, which is absorbed into the acetone, stabilizing it and making it safer for handling. This method is necessary because above 15 pounds per square inch (psi), acetylene is unstable and may explode. Only open the acetylene valve a third to a half open so you can close it quickly in an emergency.

Always keep the acetylene bottle upright, especially during cutting operations. The torch is made to burn gas, not liquid. If laid on its side, the liquid acetylene/acetone will be drawn in the regulator and forced down the hose to the tip system (which burns the gas) and may cause an explosion. If the bottle is delivered (unknown amount of time) on its side, it must be turned upright for at least 12 hours before use, to allow the liquid to drain back to the bottom of the tank. If you lay it down, note the time, and before you begin torch operations, have the bottle upright for the same amount of time. Do not withdraw more than 1/10 of the bottle’s volume in less than an hour. You can risk drawing liquid acetylene into the torch system. The tip chart can help in determining rate of consumption vs. bottle volume.

Never use oil/lubricants on any torch threads/connections. Be careful when handling the tank. Even denting it can cause an explosion.

There are many different styles of torch/bottle threads, so keep some adaptors with your torch kit (photo 1). Many acetylene bottles will have left-handed thread and male or female valves (photo 2). Left hand or reverse thread is noted by the notches on the corners of the nut. Note the double male adapter for the propane tank to regulator.

A full tank has about 250 psi. Acetylene, when combined with oxygen, burns at 5800°F to 6,300°F. The primary disadvantages of acetylene, in comparison to other fuels, are high cost, chemical instability, and hazardous transport issues.

Acetylene is lighter than air, which means it can rise into roof spaces and empty areas. Detecting acetylene gas is easy because it has a distinctive garlic-like smell, even in concentrations below 2%.

1 A brass thread adapter allows propane threads to fit a torch/fuel regulator. (Photos by author.)

2 A female-to-female thread adapter. Note the notches, indicating a left-hand thread.

Adam Grosbard
The Orange County Register
(TNS)

The Rams announced Thursday that their headquarters for the 2025 NFL draft will be hosted by the Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations.

A room within the Van Nuys fire station will serve as general manager Les Snead’s base of operations during the three-day draft next week, while an adjacent hangar will host team personnel and media during the event.

Rams personnel were among the many Los Angeles residents affected by the January wildfires. Players and coaches evacuated their homes during the Kenneth fire in West Hills, with some team employees losing their homes and the team relocating to Phoenix for their home playoff game due to the collective impacts of the fires.

The organization will partner with Zillow and Bob’s Discount Furniture to renovate the LAFD Air Operation’s recreation room with recliners and other amenities. And on next Friday prior to the second day of the draft, Rams head coach Sean McVay, president Kevin Demoff and other team personnel will meet with first responders from throughout the region.

“Drafting from LAFD Air Operations is a powerful reminder of what it means to represent Los Angeles,” Demoff said in a statement. “We are humbled to partner with LAFD during one of the NFL’s biggest moments to express gratitude for those who risk their lives daily to protect our city.”

©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit ocregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), in partnership with Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis City County Council, broke ground Wednesday, April 16, on the site for the new IFD Station 20, the department said in a press release.

The new station, located at 1330 North Emerson Avenue, will replace the current station located at 1452 North Emerson Avenue.

The two story station will house 15,733 square feet of operating space with three bays and house Engine 20 and Ladder 20 and a battalion chief. One unique detail to the look will be the use of bifold doors on the drive-through apparatus bays. The station will also boast a community room on the first floor along with bicycle parking for those who may bike to the meetings. The building’s exterior was designed to reflect the look and materials similar to others already used in the community.

The estimated cost of the project is $8 million. Funding came through general obligation bonds and City of Indianapolis funding for capital projects. The project timeline is set for just under 480 days with the station opening anticipated as early as mid-July 2026.

The current station, built in September 1952, has proudly served the Little Flower neighborhood for more than 73 years. It is the third location to serve as IFD Station 20 with the other two at 537 North Belleview Place (1898) and 352 North Beville Avenue (1901).

Speakers at the event included Mayor Joe Hogsett, IFD Chief Ernest Malone, Councilor Andy Nielsen, Councilor Jesse Brown and Joanna Harris, President of the Little Flower Neighborhood Association.

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Robert Harding
The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.
(TNS)

As the Auburn Fire Department submits its nearly $8.7 million budget request for 2025-26, it is also renewing its call to replace aging vehicles.

Auburn Fire Chief Mark Fritz outlined the department’s budget at the Auburn City Council meeting Thursday. The request totals $8,699,157.90, up from $8,397,821 in 2024-25. The largest expense is salary and wages ($7,689,504.60), which will increase in the upcoming fiscal year due to contractual pay raises. Overtime is expected to decrease slightly, from $393,242 to $380,000.

Operating expenses will rise from $504,209 to $598,617. Those costs include fuel for vehicles, utilities at the department’s stations and physical exams for firefighters.

With the city facing an $8.6 million budget gap, Fritz told the council that he slashed more than $93,000 from the department’s operating budget.

“Every one of those cuts hurt just a little bit, but it is what it is,” he said.

One priority for Fritz is the replacement of aging vehicles. The city’s capital improvement program includes the purchase of two new fire engines, two command vehicles and a ladder truck. According to the capital plan, the fire engines will need to be replaced within the next year, while the ladder truck will need to be replaced within three years.

The city is seeking funding through state Sen. Rachel May to help cover the costs associated with buying new vehicles. Fritz explained the price tags have increased over time.

As an example, he said one fire truck cost $600,000 when he first requested it six years. Two years later, the truck’s price rose to $800,000. Now, a basic fire engine costs $1.2 million.

The cost of a new ladder truck also increased over the last six years. According to Fritz, what began as a $1.2 million expense is now $2.4 million.

The fire department needs to replace the vehicles because maintenance costs are rising. As the vehicles get older and need more repairs, the cost of maintaining them is “significant,” Fritz said.

Fritz’s presentation was one of several the City Council will hear this month as it develops the 2025-26 budget. The final budget will be approved in June.

© 2025 The Citizen, Auburn, N.Y.. Visit www.auburnpub.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Three people were injured after a truck and an ambulance collided at the intersection of Williamsbridge Road and Pelham Parkway early Tuesday morning.  

The crash left the Crystal Fruits and Vegetables delivery truck flipped onto its side, with debris scattered across the sidewalk. The ambulance sustained heavy front-end damage, with airbags deployed, ABC 7 reports.

The driver of the truck and the driver and passenger of the ambulance were taken to Jacobi Hospital with minor injuries.

The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. as the produce truck was on its way to deliver food to a nearby assisted living facility. The accident remains under investigation.

Visit ABC 7 for more.

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