A Step-By-Step Guide: How To Light A Welding Torch Using A Flint Striker

An oxy-acetylene torch, also known as a welding torch, is the source of heat required to carry out manual welding effectively. To light the torch, you need to have a flint striker handy. This shouldn’t be very difficult, because you can now easily buy flint strikers online. That said, it’s also important to master the art of lighting a flint striker.

What is a Flint Striker?

A flint striker, also known as a flint spark lighter, is a tool that is used to ignite any gaseous fuel and give a steady flame from the said gas. It is commonly used in gas welding to light up the welding torch, which is used to carry out the welding of two or more metal workpieces.

A Closer Look at Manual Welding Using a Welding Torch

With the evolution of arc welding processes driven by electricity, the common misconception exists that conventional welding may be outdated. However, oxy-acetylene torch welding continues to be used in various applications, primarily around welding workshops and DIY welding procedures. Learning how to light a welding torch correctly is crucial because of the pivotal role the torch plays in a weld job; it helps deliver the right proportions of gas and oxygen to the weld pool evenly and consistently.

To help you learn how to light a welding torch using a flint striker the right way, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide. Check out what you need to do.

What to Do Before You Light the Welding Torch

Before you use a flint striker to light up a welding torch, you need to check the following things off your list.

  1. Ensure that the screws on the regulator pressure are backed out
  2. Keep the valves of the cutting torch closed for safety
  3. Make sure you are not too close to the regulator
  4. Open the valves of the acetylene and oxygen cylinder
  5. Adjust the regulator to optimal pressure levels

5 Steps to Light a Welding Torch Using a Flint Striker

Once you have taken the steps outlined above, you need to light the welding torch using the flint striker. Here is how you can do this effectively.

  1. Open the valve for the gas that will fuel the process
  2. Use the flint striker to ignite the oxyacetylene flame
  3. Increase the flow of gas steadily, stopping only when the flame disappears from the tip of the torch and the smoke production stops
  4. Then, decrease the flow of gas till the flame once again reaches the tip of the torch
  5. You can then control the flame by opening the oxygen valve, till the flame becomes neutral

What to Do After Completing the Welding Process?

Once you have lit the welding torch using the flint striker, you can proceed to complete the weld job as planned. After the welding process is complete, here’s what you need to do to shut the torch down safely.

  1. Close the valves on the oxygen and gas cylinders
  2. Ensure that each regulator is turned down to zero
  3. Next, you need to back out the pressure screws

Conclusion

Lighting a flint striker is a fairly easy process, as you have seen from the steps above. However, the ease of the process should not lull you into a false sense of security. You need to take the necessary protective precautions to ensure that your safety is not compromised.

Wear the protective gear required, and pay attention to the steps to be followed before and after you light your flint striker. This way, you can successfully light a welding torch using the flint, without any accidents or mishaps.