I've worked for years on steel construction jobs with oxy/acet and oxy/mapp torches. Before that I worked in a shop brazing heat exchangers. I've never had anything remotely resembling an accident while working with these gases. BUY AND USE FLASHBACK ARRESTORS, ideally right at the torch. It's actually important to match your hoses to your fuel gases as well. Grade T hose is all-purpose, while RM is oxy/acet only. Grade R is really light-duty oxy/acet hose that might come with some of those tiny portable kits they sell at HD now. Leaks in a hose are wasted money and safety hazards. The hose grades and colours likely change in every country too, so this is what I know for Canada.

I've never used propane with welding tips but I know propane/ng cutting tips are way different in design than acet/mapp tips... 2 part tips with a brass part that is milled on the inside. I've heard propane makes messier cuts than acetylene which is likely why it's used a lot in scrap yards as well it's lower cost.

Moving acetylene tanks isn't terribly risky as long as you don't try and use the tank right afterword. Acetylene is stored in tanks that are full of porous concrete and the acetylene is dissolved into acetone that soaks into the concrete. If a tank has been on its side it's crucial to let it stand for at least 24 hours before using. There are work trucks driving all over the roads here with oxy/acet tanks lashed to their backracks, be it mobile welders or structural steel companies. Linde Canada will let you load cylinders into your car if you don't have a pickup truck to do so. I dunno how much it costs to rent tanks but that's always another option out there, air liquide rents them here with their fancy all-top bottles that include a regulator built into each bottle.

There also seem to be a misconception about how cutting torches work here. The oxygen is what pushes the cut through the metal (along with the exothermic nature of burning iron). I've cut with acetylene and mapp. I've never pushed the pressure on either past 10 psi. The cutting torch works by burning the iron, which is why it won't work on stainless beyond just melting it into blobs. The pre-heat flame jets get the steel up to ignition temperature and hitting the trigger blasts more oxygen at the molten metal igniting it and starting the cut. After the trigger is squeezed the extra oxygen and burning iron is what fuels the cut and makes it so fast since it produces more heat as it burns the iron. I've cut through crane rails and 2" thick plate with ease... the bigger automatic cutting torches I've seen at dofasco that cut the 8-12" thick slabs that roll out of the caster are amazing in size and speed of cutting. There are also oxygen lances that use a iron rod as a fuel source and they will cut through entire sections of a bridge or concrete columns... the lance is lit with a normal cutting torch at the tip of the rod. I'm sure I'll be lancing something in the future.

"I've worked for years on steel construction jobs with oxy/acet and oxy/mapp torches. Before that I worked in a shop brazing heat exchangers. I've never had anything remotely resembling an accident while working with these gases. BUY AND USE FLASHBACK ARRESTORS, ideally right at the torch."

I would assume pros would have no problem. I have looked into the dangers fairly carefully, and was surprised to learn something new even in this thread. Many people have suggested taking a course to get the full info, but I didn't have that opportunity. I am guessing that goes for most people who pick a set up at Princess Auto. I still stand by the idea that there are a lot of ways for the thing to go wrong. Of course if you work with other people or are trained, you should be fine.

"I've never used propane with welding tips but I know propane/ng cutting tips are way different in design than acet/mapp tips... 2 part tips with a brass part that is milled on the inside. I've heard propane makes messier cuts than acetylene which is likely why it's used a lot in scrap yards as well it's lower cost."

It cuts with the oxygen once the part reaches heat, so that should be the same, though I have heard the same knock about cut quality. It uses more oxygen, so I am not clear that it is cheaper.

"Moving acetylene tanks isn't terribly risky as long as you don't try and use the tank right afterword. Acetylene is stored in tanks that are full of porous concrete and the acetylene is dissolved into acetone that soaks into the concrete. If a tank has been on its side it's crucial to let it stand for at least 24 hours before using. There are work trucks driving all over the roads here with oxy/acet tanks lashed to their backracks, be it mobile welders or structural steel companies. Linde Canada will let you load cylinders into your car if you don't have a pickup truck to do so. I dunno how much it costs to rent tanks but that's always another option out there, air liquide rents them here with their fancy all-top bottles that include a regulator built into each bottle."

The Linde policy says helpful things like be sure to wedge the lid partially open, and to transport the cylinders in a vertical position.

In Ontario, these regs apply:

"What are the penalties for non-compliance?
According to Transport Canada, the fines for non-compliance with the TDG Regulations can be a maximum of $50,000 per person per day for a first offence, and up to $100,000 for each subsequent offence. Since August 15, 2002, Transport Canada inspectors have been actively handing out fines to contractors not in compliance with the TDG Regulations. One of the first things an inspector wants to see is a valid TDG Training Certificate for the driver of the vehicle.
Example of fines that can be issued: On January 9th, 2005, a HVAC technician was heading back to his company's headquarters in Brampton, Ontario after doing a routine house call to fix a refrigerator. On route, the technician was pulled over by an OPP officer. Although the driver of the vehicle had general training in regards to the TDG Regulations and possessed a valid TDG training certificate, the OPP officer issued two fines. The driver (HVAC technician) of the vehicle was charged $1000.00 for failing to produce an accurate shipping document in a timely manner and the owner of the company was fined $1000.00 for not displaying the appropriate safety marks required on the various compressed gas cylinders found in the vehicle."

They also require retraining every 3 years, and they require you to retrain if you switch companies.

Tinman has the tips for their torches, and some adapters for other brands. Alex Whitmore's site has his propane set up on it which is a smith or something.

This question should be directed to Hank Hill.... sorry had to do it, for myself. :p

Yup there are lots of things that can go wrong and it's because of my experience and training by qualified people that I am confident in moving it around. I suppose that should have been made clearer... I don't really want to advocate that people just start schlepping any of these gases around... even propane can be dangerous. For non-commercial use I don't think the TDG regulations are applicable, at least in Ontario... I mean TSC sells acetylene cylinders ready to go just like the pre-filled propane at the grocery store.

Awesome story; BTW, do you know what middle managers only wear dark blue or black suits? As I hear it, it allows them to wet there pants with they come across a situtation like this giving them a nice warm feeling so they go back to their office and leave us alone! BTW; Had a few Trek frames (touring and road) and bikes in the mid-70's -- found them most excellent and very well crafted (ahead of their time). Wish I been wise enough to have kept them!