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First off- I understand this isn't strictly about bladesmithing... however, I was working on metal when this problem arose... and blades are also made of metal... is this even the correct board? Apologies if there is a better location. I have been asking around and haven't found a straight answer yet to my question so I figured I would put it to others that likely also use oxy-acetylene torches. So, I was heating up a large piece of steel with a rosebud tip and seem to have broken the 1/7 rule. When I turned the torch off I immediately noticed the smell: acetone. I looked closer and noticed a reddish greasy liquid bubbling at the tip. Acetone seems to have been pulled up during the high pressure heating. Given that I now have gooey acetone in the regulator and hoses. I understand this is a BAD thing. But, my QUESTION is: how bad? is my acetylene diaphragm (and hoses?) slowly being eaten away and it's just a matter of time before I blow myself up? Is there any effective and safe way to clean this stuff out or do I need to re-build the regulator / buy a new one? I've asked a few people online and to my local machinist and their answers were sort of vague. Any advice that isn't vague? Thanks in advance, Eric

Fellas, I have a small need right now to treated some birch bark on a few handle I've made. Heating the bark was done, I simply want a clear, colorable, mixture that will harden to protect even though it's been packed very hard. I had a little minwax which well enough to coat 'n soak a short time, but it's pricey and cannot find it anywhere local. So I've read online and am somewhat overwhelmed, Boiling prickly pear cactus leaves. and tea, styrofoam and acetone, Boiled linseed oil and naptha and other oils? I only have two handles to finish so I want to enhance the lines and add some durability. Can anyone suggest what I'v described above? Thank you, GT