A man returned from lunch and was preparing to use his oxygen acetylene fueled torch to work on his truck. He turned on the acetylene valve and approximately 30 seconds later, opened the valve on the oxygen bottle. The oxygen regulator exploded, causing a large fire ball to engulf the man’s torso and ignite his clothing. The man was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body.
Regulator fires are a nasty business. Fortunately, they do not occur frequently in the welding industry, but when they happen, the damage to property and personnel can be significant. According to OSHA, several people are killed or seriously injured each year as a result of an RBO explosion. A small number perhaps, in light of the thousands of people using oxygen regulators, but a significant event if it happens to you.
Regulator fires happen when high pressure oxygen passing through the intake valve comes in contact with contaminants on the valve. The high pressure passage of the oxygen through the narrow valve creates heat. Any flammable material on the valve, including dirt, oil, grease or other hydrocarbons, can ignite under this heat. The resulting fire often triggers an explosion, turning parts of the regulator into high-temperature projectiles.
To avoid this problem, the following welding safety procedures should always be followed:
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ESAB Oxygen Regulator Protects Against Burnout
 Regulator burnout can happen to the most experienced welder if proper safety practices are not followed. An operator in a hurry, a safety step overlooked, can lead to an accident. Because the causes of regulator burnout are not always clear, it may be impossible to completely eliminate this safety hazard, but fortunately, the damage and potential injury can be contained, thanks to a patented regulator design available only from ESAB Welding and Cutting Products. ESAB’s patented design makes our regulators the safest and most accurate regulators on the market today. Here’s why:
ESAB regulator bodies are machined from solid brass bar stock, not made from forgings. The bar stock provides a thick wall that helps contain a burnout and keeps internal body cavities to a minimum. Small cavities limit the amount of gas that can accumulate in the body and contribute to the seriousness of an oxygen fire. This solid design also contributes to the overall durability of the ESAB regulator.
ESAB’s small cavity design features a long, narrow passage that sharply diminishes the intensity of any fire that might enter from the inlet connection, reducing the possibility that the regulator will explode.
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ESAB Launches New & Improved Powercut® Website
Our new Powercut website  features the complete family of ESAB Powercut machines, including the new Powercut 900.
The PowerCut plasma cutting package will take whatever you throw at it, and ask for more. Designed with ESAB Plasmarc® technology, PowerCut machines make plasma cutting easier and more economical. And with the addition of the PowerCut 900 to the 1300 and 1600 models, the most powerful and durable machines in the industry are more versatile than ever.
The website features newly released downloadable videos that highlight the family of Powercut products. A hard copy of the CDs can also be requested by filling out a form on the website.
Read More »
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AWS Welding Symbols Shop Chart
Jeff Stasney created this chart of the AWS Welding Symbols and their meanings with physical welded examples representative of those symbols. The chart was made for the Mechanical Engineering department at Alliance Machine Systems International/J. & L., Keithville, Louisiana, where Jeff works as Weld Shop Supervisor. The chart serves as a physical example of the weld symbols, with the actual welds representing them, which the mechanical engineers can refer to for reference.
“I decided to insert a little humor into the chart by displaying unique ‘one off’ physical welds with the single edge razor blades for a ‘seal weld’ symbol and the aluminum Coke cans for the ‘V groove’ weld symbol as an attention getter,” Jeff says. “Needless to say, that worked very well for ‘show and tell.’”
Jeff used ESAB welding consumables to make the chart, including OK Tigrod 12.62 (E70S-2) GTAW in 1.6mm and 2.0mm sizes, OK Tigrod 4043 (ER4043) GTAW in 2.0 mm size and OK Tigrod 16.10 (ER308L) GTAW in 1.6mm and 2.0mm sizes.
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Submit Your Welding Story & Become a Part of our Fabrication Hall of Fame! |
We know you're proud of your work, and we want to see it! Send us info on the metal masterpieces you've created with ESAB products, and see how they stack up against your fellow welders across the country. We'll get in touch with you and post your pictures on the Hall of Fabrication, and we may even feature your story in our next e-newsletter.
All published e-newsletter stories earn the submitter an ESAB Prize Package, including:
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Jumper cables car kit
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Signature ESAB Shirt
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Signature ESAB Hat
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Coffee mug
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Sunglasses
Submit your story here»
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When components were fabricated to build this bridge, ESAB filler metals, Coreshield 8 and Atom Arc 7018 were used to turn this design into reality.
If you are one of the first five people to identify this bridge, you will win an exclusive ESAB Beach Package!
Submit your answer!»
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DakotaFest 2009
August 18-20, 2009
Mitchell, South Dakota
Farm Progress Show
September 1-3, 2009
Decatur, Illinois
Husker Harvest Days
September 15-17, 2009
Grand Island, NE
SEMA
November 4-7, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
FABTECH/AWS
November 15-18, 2009
Chicago, IL
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ESAB Expands Family of X-Series Wires
ESAB has added two additional wires to its popular Dual Shield X-Series flux-cored wires, the Dual Shield 710X-M and Dual Shield 810X-Ni1. The X-Series wires are more forgiving than traditional flux cored wires, especially for less experienced welders, with an easily controlled arc and improved operation at both lower and higher current levels. Dual Shield X wires also offer high deposition rates, fast travel speeds, flat bead profile, limited spatter and extremely easy slag removal for overall productivity, ease of use and outstanding operator appeal.
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Powercut 900 Video
Watch the newest member of the  Powercut family in action and see the simplicity, power, and durability of the Powercut 900.
Watch the video»
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Gas Regulator Burnout Video
Watch ESAB’s new Regulator Burnout Video to see live burnouts and a demonstration of the value of ESAB’s patented built-in regulator burnout protection.
Watch the video»
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How to Properly Set Your Gas Regulator Flowmeter
Do you have trouble setting your gas regulator flowmeter to get the proper shielding gas flow rate at the nozzle? Using a gas meter with calibrations will simplify the process. Just follow these steps:
- Disengage the roll so your wire doesn’t come through the gun when you pull the trigger. (Or use the purge switch, if so equipped.)
- Place the gas meter with calibrations over the nozzle and pull the trigger.
- Read the top of the meter ball.
- Adjust the gas pressure to the proper value.
- Re-engage the drive rolls.
You’re all set! Remember, for flux-cored wires, you want your flow rate to be somewhere in the 35-45 cubic foot/hr range.
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Safety Poster
ESAB has recently released a new Safety Poster to help remind you and your co-workers of important safety procedures.
Order your poster here!
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Safety Data Sheets Available Online
Don't forget! You can now search our Safety Data Sheet database for up-to-date SDS information and sign up to receive online notifications anytime changes are made to an SDS. Choose all of our Safety Data Sheets or select only the ones you need. We also do a yearly CD mailing containing the most up-to-date SDS information and safety manuals for “Precautions and Safe Practices for Arc Welding, Cutting and Gouging” and “Precautions and Safe Practices for Gas Welding, Cutting, and Heating.”
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Get Social with ESAB!
Now you can join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep apprised of special offers and product updates, check out at-home projects by ESAB Fans, participate in our discussion boards, watch ESAB videos, and much, much more! Come join us!
  
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1-800-ESAB-123
(1-800-372-2123)
Product Info Line: (800) 934-9353
Online: Contact ESAB
Register for ESAB's e-newsletter.
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