LG-5 - Harris Style #5 Propane Cutting Tip - 2-Piece Replacement

Engineering and Specification of the LG-5 Propane Cutting Tip

The LG-5 Multi Tip represents a specialized class of oxy-fuel cutting consumables engineered specifically for alternative fuel gases, including Propane and Natural Gas. As a direct replacement for the Gentec GEN4212-14-5, this component is designed to meet the rigorous demands of industrial metal severing where acetylene is either unavailable or less preferred due to cost and handling constraints. The tip utilizes a two-piece construction, a critical design feature for alternative fuels. Unlike acetylene, which has a high flame propagation rate allowing for flat-faced single-piece tips, propane burns significantly slower. The LG-5 addresses this by employing a brass inner member with precision-machined splines and a heavy-duty copper outer shell. When assembled, these two parts create a recessed skirt at the tip end, which serves to anchor the flame at high velocities, preventing blowout and ensuring a stable, intense preheat cone.

In terms of capacity, the #5 size designation places this tip in the heavy-duty category. Within the Harris-style sizing convention, a #5 tip is generally rated for cutting mild steel with thicknesses ranging up to 6 inches (approx. 150mm). This makes the LG-5 an essential consumable for scrap processing, heavy structural demolition, and thick-plate fabrication. Achieving optimal performance with this tip requires appropriate gas regulation; propane cutting typically demands lower fuel pressures compared to acetylene but may require higher oxygen volumes to maintain the oxidizing jet through thick sections. The internal geometry of the LG-5 is optimized to maximize the BTU output of the fuel gas, compensating for the lower flame temperature of propane relative to acetylene by distributing the heat energy effectively across the cut start point.

Compatibility is a key feature of the LG-5. It is manufactured with a standard Harris-style seating configuration, ensuring a secure, leak-free fit with a wide range of cutting attachments and hand torches, including the popular 62-3 and 142 series torches, as well as compatible third-party equipment like the Gentec 142 series. The "replaces GEN4212-14-5" specification ensures that procurement managers and technicians can seamlessly integrate this tip into existing inventories without the need for equipment modification. The manufacturing process involves high-precision machining to ensure concentricity between the cutting oxygen bore and the preheat slots, which is vital for producing a straight, clean kerf with minimal slag adhesion.

Maintenance and service life are also enhanced by the two-piece design. Over time, carbon deposits and slag splash can obstruct the preheat orifices, leading to an uneven flame and poor cut quality. The LG-5 allows the operator to separate the outer shell from the inner member, providing full access to the splines for thorough cleaning using a standard wire brush or tip cleaner. This maintainability extends the usable life of the consumable, reducing operational costs and downtime. By combining robust materials with a gas-specific design, the LG-5 delivers consistent, high-quality cuts in the most demanding industrial environments.