I think I have figured out that this CGA number is the regulator inlet connector, but what does this mean?
I thought all oxygen tanks had the same connector, and so on. Which type of inlet connector will I get if I go buy tanks locally?
Thanks,
John Phillips
The CGA300 and CGA510 are referring to the Acetylene nut and nipple on the regulator- Air Liquide is the only company that uses a different fitting for the Acetylene. Your welding supplier will have the proper CGA fittings on their equipment with relation to the gas that they sell.
As we use only some Air-Liquide gases here in California, I checked my Propelene bottle and regulators finding CGA-510 on our "Propelene" regulators. On our (Non-Air Liquide) "Acetelene" bottles we also are using CGA-510's. These numbers are stamped on the inlet side's threaded nut. As the only other readily found CGA markings I'm seeing, are on the O2's regulator's inlet fitting. It is CGA-540, I don't see where the/your CGA-310 is from. Hope this's a little help, neither myself nor our Air-Liquide sales rep. see where one of your query's replies stated 'only Air-Liquide sizes them different' and what that guy was trying to say.
I am a Welding Engineer for Air Liquide and noticed the questions on CGA connections. Aceteylene has 4 different connections that were used before the 510 was generally agreed to be the "standard". However you will still find the other connections a fair amount. They are CGA 300, 510, 520, and 200. I suspect that the 510 may have been misread as a 310. You can get a list of the various CGA connections from the Air Liquide gas data book on page 43. You can probably get this information from lots of other places, internet, etc. as well
I'm beginning to sound like a broken record here but so be it! The welders handbook is correct when it states that the Oxy-Fuel processes are excellent building blocks for a foundation in the welding trades. However if you really want to learn I encourage you to spend time at your Local Jr. College before you lay down your cash for equipment. After even one semester you will have the knowledge and more importantly the Skills and practical safety instruction behind you to apply to those toys that are dancing in your head. Jr. College welding classes are rarely boring. I have seen more Roll cages, race cars, mountain bikes, bumpers, hitches, and even exotics being welded on the benches at some of the more progressive Jr. Colleges I've visited or attended than in most job shops. To the Eager student it is like a treasure trove, Oxy-fuel, Stick, Tig, Mig <shudder>, plasma, pattern cutters, all the stuff you dream about playing with, they have waiting. You will also recieve the added benefit of watching others troubleshoot their own projects, this will save you from making your own mistakes later. The cost is minimal and when you walk away you will know exactly what you need and how to use it.
Enjoy the Trades
Lawrence Bower
Education development
United Airlines
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