learning to torch cut

[deereman75]

Well today I was doing some torch cutting for the first time in probably 2 years. All the torch cutting I had done then was melting my way through some rusty re-bar. I have been watching a few videos on it, and looked up the settings online. Well here it is. I was using 5 psi acet, and 25 psi oxy with an airco 00 tip. 1/4 inch plate covered in rust, spatter, and 6011 slag.
Here is some pictures of the top and bottom of the plate.



Here are some of the cut.



NOTE: no cleaning was done to the piece before or after the cut. The pictures are of two differnt cuts on the same piece.

So what do you think? Any tips? I wont be able to do any more cutting for a few weeks, since I am out of oxygen, and I wont be able to get to air liquide for a while. When I get more oxygen, I will be able to try any tips.

 

[Shield Arc]

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with a torch is pushing the lever all the way down. There is a sweet spot with a torch, sometimes it is only an 1/8 th of an inch down on the lever. What you want is the cutting cone to reach out as far as possible from the tip, and have a turbo sound to it.

 

[monckywrench]

Check out irish fixits outstanding torch vids on weldingweb. Tips with demonstrations!

If you pull them up on Youtube you can use the Firefox downloader add-on to save them to your PC then play the files using vlc.

How to use a cutting torch - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

Mozilla Firefox Web Browser ? Free Download

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/

 

[deereman75]

I did watch all of irishfixits videos, and they helped my a lot. Also, the pictures I posted dont really show the cuts very well. They are A LOT smoother then the pictures make them look, and there is no slag under the cut. I did make a few better cuts, but this is just the one I grabbed. Some of the cuts looked almost plasma clean. I think they are pretty good for my first attempt.

 

[deereman75]

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with a torch is pushing the lever all the way down. There is a sweet spot with a torch, sometimes it is only an 1/8 th of an inch down on the lever. What you want is the cutting cone to reach out as far as possible from the tip, and have a turbo sound to it.

Thanks, thats a good tip. I will try that next time I can cut. Also, what kind of torch do you use?

 

[Shield Arc]

I don't know the model, but it is a Victor, I'm sure the set was called Journeyman. I got it in the early 1980s.

 

[lilranch2001]

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with a torch is pushing the lever all the way down. There is a sweet spot with a torch, sometimes it is only an 1/8 th of an inch down on the lever. What you want is the cutting cone to reach out as far as possible from the tip, and have a turbo sound to it.

Also make sure you lead (point ahead) your flame into the cut

A lot of people will have their torch head at 90 degrees to the piece when in fact 60-75 degree angle works much better

 

[deereman75]

Just a side question here. How low can you let the torch tanks go? There is 100 psi in my oxy, and 50 psi in my acet. I want to get as much out of them as possible, but I heard you should always leave a bit of pressure.

 

[RoyJackson]

When I was cutting, my biggest problem was moving too slow. The metal would flow back together behind the torch.
Once I speeded up a bit, the cuts were cleaner.

 

[jake98]

Sell that torch, get a plasma cutter! :laughing: