
INSTRUCTIONS for
®
F-1 1-292-C
November, 2000
C-69 and C-70
MACHINE CUTTING TORCHES
These INSTRUCTIONS are for experienced operators. If you are not fully familiar with the principles of operation and safe practices
for Oxy-Fuel gas equipment, we urge you to read our booklet Precautions and Safe Practices for Welding, Cutting, and Heating,
Form 2035. Do NOT permit untrained persons to install, operate or maintain this equipment. Do NOT attempt to install or operate
this equipment until you have read and fully understand these instructions. If you do not fully understand these instructions,
contact your supplier for further information.
The cutting torches covered by these instructions are listed by Underwriters Laboratories only when using cutting nozzles and
parts manufactured by ESAB Welding & Cutting Products to the specifications on file with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and
when they are used in the gas service for which they are designed and listed. The use of other cutting nozzles and parts that cause
damage or failure to the equipment will void the manufacturers warranty.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The C-69 is designed for use with low or medium pressure fuel gases, other than acetylene. The C-70 is for
use with medium pressure acetylene.
The C-69 and C-70 are not equipped with valves. They
must be used in conjunction with a manifold or valve
block for control of gas flow. All references to control
valves in these instructions apply to such a manifold or
valve block.
Connecting
Attach the oxygen and fuel gas supply hose to the regulators and to the manifold or valve block. Connect the
manifold or valve block to the torch, using hose at least
36 inches long. Make sure that all connections are gas
tight.
Attach the desired nozzle to the torch and tighten the
nozzle nut with a wrench. (See cutting charts on page
4 for correct nozzle.)
Be sure gas flow is sufficient for head or nozzle size.
Adjust regulators for proper psig pressures.
Adjust throttle valves properly.
Keep torch in good repair.
DO NOT throttle back gases to use large head or nozzle
on thin material.
Adjusting Gas Pressures
Oxygen: Open wide the cutting oxygen control valves
on the manifold or block. turn in the pressure-adjusting
screw on the oxygen regulator until the delivery-pressure gauge indicates the correct oxygen pressure (see
charts on page 4).
Acetylene (C-70): Open the acetylene control valve on
the manifold or block about one full turn. Turn in the
pressure-adjusting screw on the acetylene regulator
until the delivery-pressure gauge indicates the correct
acetylene pressure (see charts on page 4). Close the
acetylene control valve.
Flashbacks can cause serious burns.
Be sure this information reaches the operator.
You can get extra copies through your supplier.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
These Safety Precautions are for your protection. They summarize precautionary information from the references listed
in Additional Safety Information section. Before performing any
installation or operating procedures, be sure to read and follow the safety precautions listed below as well as all other
manuals, material safety data sheets, labels, etc. Failure to observe Safety Precautions can result in injury or death.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS - Some
welding, cutting and gouging processes are
noisy and require ear protection. Hot metal can
cause skin burns and heat rays may injure
eyes. Training in the proper use of the processes and equipment is essential to prevent
accidents. Also:
1. Always wear safety glasses with side shields in any work area,
even if welding helmets, face shields, or goggles are also required.
2. Wear flameproof gauntlet type gloves, heavy long-sleeve shirt,
cuffless trousers, high-topped shoes, and a welding helmet or
cap for hair protection, to protect against hot sparks and hot
metal. A flameproof apron may also be desirable as protection
against radiated heat and sparks.
3. Hot sparks or metal can lodge in rolled up sleeves, trousers
cuffs, or pockets. Sleeves and collars should be kept buttoned,
and open pockets eliminated from the front of clothing.
4. Protect other personnel from hot sparks with a suitable nonflammable partition or curtains.
5. Use goggles over safety glasses when chipping slag or grinding. Chipped slag may be hot and can travel considerable distances. Bystanders should also wear goggles over safety
glasses.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS - Heat from a flame
can act as an ignition source. Hot slag or sparks
can also cause fires or explosions. Therefore:
1. Remove all combustible materials well away from the work
area or completely cover the materials with a protective nonflammable covering. Combustible materials include wood,
cloth, sawdust, liquid and gas fuels, solvents, paints and coatings, paper, etc.
2. Hot sparks or hot metal can fall through cracks or crevices in
floors or wall openings and cause a hidden smoldering fire on
the floor below. Make certain that such openings are protected
from hot sparks and metal.
3. Do not weld, cut, or perform any other hot work on materials,
containers, or piping until it has been completely cleaned so
that no substances on the material can produce flammable or
toxic vapors. Do not do hot work on closed containers. They
may explode.
4. Have fire extinguishing equipment handy for instant use, such
as a garden hose, a pail of water or sand, or portable fire
extinguisher. Be sure you are trained in its use.
5. After completing operations, inspect the work area to be sure
that there are no hot sparks or hot metal which could cause a
later fire. Use fire watchers when necessary.
6. For additional information, refer to NFPA Standard 51B, Fire
Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes, which
is available from the National Fire Protection Association,
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
FUMES AND GASES - Fumes and gases, particularly in confined spaces, can cause discomfort or injury. Do not breathe fumes or
gases from welding or cutting, Therefore:
1. Always provide adequate ventilation in the work area by natural or mechanical ventilation means. Do not weld, cut, or gouge
on materials such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper,
zinc, lead, beryllium, or cadmium unless positive mechanical
ventilation is provided. Do not breathe fumes and gases from
these materials.
2. If you develop momentary eye, nose, or throat irritation while
operating, this is an indication that ventilation is not adequate.
Stop work at once and take necessary steps to improve ventilation in the work area. Do not continue to operate if physical
discomfort persists.
3. Refer to ANSI/ASC Standard Z49.1 listed below for specific
ventilation recommendations.
4. WARNING: This product, when used for welding or
1. Always have qualified personnel perform the installation,
troubleshooting, and maintenance work. Do not operate or
repair any equipment unless you are qualified to do so.
2. Keep all oxy-fuel equipment free of grease or oil. Grease, oil,
and other similar combustible materials, when ignited, can burn
violently in the presence of oxygen.
3. Do not abuse any equipment or accessories. Keep equipment
away from heat and wet conditions, oil or grease, corrosive
atmospheres and inclement weather.
4. Keep all safety devices in position and in good repair.
5. Use equipment for its intended purpose. Do not modify it in
any manner.
1. Use the proper gas for the process and use the proper pressure reducing regulator designed to operate from the compressed gas cylinder. Do not use adaptors to mount the regulator on the cylinder. Maintain hoses and fittings in good condition. Follow manufacturers operating instructions for mounting the regulator to the gas cylinder.
2. Always secure cylinders in an upright position by chain or strap
to suitable hand trucks, benches, walls, post, or racks. Never
secure cylinders to work tables or fixtures where they may
become part of an electrical circuit.
3. When not in use, keep cylinder valves closed. Have the valve
protection cap in place on top of the cylinder if no regulators is
installed. Secure and move cylinders by using suitable hand
trucks. Avoid rough handling of cylinders.
4. Locate cylinders away from heat, sparks, or flame of a welding, cutting, or gouging operation. Never strike an arc on a
cylinder.
5. For additional information, refer to CGA Standard P-1, Precautions for Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders:, which is available from the Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.
The following publications, which are available from the American
Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJuene Road, Miami, FL 33126, are
recommended to you:
1. ANSI/AWS Z49.1 - Safety in Welding and Cutting.
2. AWS F4.1 - Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of Containers and Piping That
Have Held Hazardous Substances/
3. AWS SP - Safe Practices - Reprint, Welding Handbook.
cutting, produces fumes or gases which
contain chemicals known to the State of
California to cause birth defects and, in
some cases, cancer. (California Health &
Safety Code §25249.5 et seq.)
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE - Faulty or improperly maintained equipment, such as torches, hoses
and regulators, can result in poor work, but even
more important, it can cause injury or death
through fires. Therefore:
GAS CYLINDER HANDLING - Gas cylinders, if mishandled, can rupture or explode violently. Sudden
rupture of a cylinder, valve or relief device can injure or kill you. Therefore:
ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION - For more
information on safe practices for oxy-fuel welding
and cutting equipment, ask your distributor for a
copy of Precautions and Safe Practices for Gas
Welding, Cutting, and Heating, Form 2035. Gas
apparatus safety guidelines are also available on
video cassettes from your distributor.
MEANING OF SYMBOLS - As used throughout
this manual: Means Attention! Be Alert! Your
safety is involved.
Means immediate hazards which, if not avoided,
will result in immediate, serious personal in-
jury or loss of life.
Means potential hazards which could result in
personal injury or loss of life.
Means hazards which could result in minor
personal injury.
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SP-GA 10/98

Fuel Gases (C-69): Open the fuel gas valve on the
manifold or block about one full turn. Adjust the regulator to desired pressure (see chart on page 3). Close the
fuel gas valve.
Lighting
valves on the torch must be adjusted with the procedure shown in these instructions.
Note: Items (1) and (2) can be checked by measuring
the gas pressures
are available for this purpose.
at the torch. Gauge adaptors
Open the preheat oxygen control valve a small fraction of a turn. Open the fuel gas control valve wide and
light the gas at the nozzle with a lighter. Open the cutting oxygen control valve and adjust the flames to neutral with the preheat oxygen control valve.
Shutting Off
First close the cutting oxygen control valve, then the
fuel gas control valve, and then the preheat oxygen
control valve.
OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
Flow: There must be proper flow of gases for safe
operation and full performance. This requires the following three conditions: (1) the regulators that determine the inlet pressure to the hoses must be set to the
correct pressure: (2) the hoses and their connectors
must have adequate capacity for the job (hoses that
are too long, too small or have connectors with small
passageways can cause problems); and (3) the throttle
Backfire: Improper operation of the torch may cause
the flame to go out with a loud pop. Such a backfire
may be caused by contact of the nozzle with the work,
by spatter from the work, or by the use of incorrect gas
pressures, or by leakage at the cutting nozzle seats
due to dirt or nicks on the seats or to a loose nozzle nut.
Flashback: Under certain circumstances, the flame
may not pop out (backfire) but instead burn back inside
the torch with a shrill hissing or squeal. This is called a
flashback. A flashback should never occur if (1) the
equipment is in good condition; (2) preheat ports on
cutting nozzles or welding tips re cleaned frequently; (3)
operating pressures are correct; and (4) throttle valves
are adjusted properly. Should a flashback occur, IMMEDIATELY shut off the torch. Allow it to cool off for at
least a minute. Then check your nozzle or tip, gas
pressure, readjust regulators if necessary, and relight
the torch. If flashback recurs, send the torch handle and
welding head or cutting attachment to ESAB
Remanufacturing Center or to your distributor for repair.
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