Acetylene shortage bad news

[Jim Spradley]

All,

Last week THE ONLY plant in the US that produces Calcium Carbide blew up/burned and therefore Acetylene is going to be hard to get and prices will go through the roof, If you have tanks get them filled NOW if you can.

Welding suppliers are not setting up new accounts for acetelyne and are very selective about filling tanks, do not wait, call ahead to see if you can get them filled.

Below is an article about this.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/ap...loui-a04.shtml

http://www.carbidellc.com/News/news1.html

This is especially troubling for me as the torch I sell only works well with acetylene as far as I know, I am picking up my cylinder of propylene today, to try I will update asap, I am going to a show in Charlotte NC this week so I will not post until next week

[Joe Hartson]

Jim, thanks for the update and information.

[weldtoride]

The explosion was certainly tragic for the loss of lives. And prices may indeed go up, but this source lists 2 other Calcium Carbide manufacturers here in the US:

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/ca...9962408-1.html

[David Gardiner]

That is dreadfull, my heart goes out to the families of the guys involved.

David

[bc5391]

The gas suppliers have a replacement gas for Acetylene, I beleve it is called propleyne. The problem is you will only be able to braze or cut, it does not get hot enough to fusion weld.
You will also have to spend about $500 to get set up, I just paid $119 for a 65 lb tank (rental) you also need to change the guages and hoses.

[ShawnMarsh]

Originally Posted by bc5391

The gas suppliers have a replacement gas for Acetylene, I beleve it is called propleyne. The problem is you will only be able to braze or cut, it does not get hot enough to fusion weld.
You will also have to spend about $500 to get set up, I just paid $119 for a 65 lb tank (rental) you also need to change the guages and hoses.

I'm sorry, but if you have to replace your setup and it can't weld, it's not a very good substitute for acetylene.

[robtg]

Calcium carbide is not used that much in producing acetylene anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylene

[weldtoride]

current prices from one supplier near Chicago:
https://weldingsupply.securesites.co...:terms::PH#H01

[metalformrt]

Bad news, my condolences to the families