learning to torch cut

[weldermike]

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

Cant wash with a plasma cutter, I rarely use them because of that. Good for fab work, but a pain for repair work. Just my opinion tho.

 

[jake98]

I don't have too much experience, but was able to cut perpendicular pieces off with mine (PP70), no problem. Is that what you mean by 'wash'?

 

[deereman75]

I found I had to move really fast to get a good clean cut. Hey my first time cuts with a torch were a lot better then a lot of plasma cuts I see at school. No dross at all. I have to say after seeing how good my beginner cuts were, I dont even want a plasma. On the bottom of those cuts it looks like there is a lot of slag hanging off, there isnt. That is a weld bead on the bottom of the piece. My dad said my first cuts were better then he has ever made. That was nice to hear.

 

[weldermike]

I don't have too much experience, but was able to cut perpendicular pieces off with mine (PP70), no problem. Is that what you mean by 'wash'?

No jake by washing I mean feathering your oxygen flow so you can dismantle stuff that is welded together. For instance, the harder the material the quicker it heats up(the weld) so you can feather your torch and wash down a weld without cutting into and gouging your base metal. same with bolts and stuff when dealing with thin metals. Plasma cutters are good for certain things, but they only cut, thats it.

 

[deereman75]

No jake by washing I mean feathering your oxygen flow so you can dismantle stuff that is welded together. For instance, the harder the material the quicker it heats up(the weld) so you can feather your torch and wash down a weld without cutting into and gouging your base metal. same with bolts and stuff when dealing with thin metals. Plasma cutters are good for certain things, but they only cut, thats it.

Does one of those bent scarfing tips help for that? Torch washing would be great for removing my bad welds.

 

[weldermike]

Yes, I just use straight tips tho, wanna keep you torch as flat as possible so not pointing into your base metal or you can have accidental gouges. Takes practice but a real good technique once you get good with it. Saves lotta grinding, and a lot of waisted material

 

[jake98]

No jake by washing I mean feathering your oxygen flow so you can dismantle stuff that is welded together. For instance, the harder the material the quicker it heats up(the weld) so you can feather your torch and wash down a weld without cutting into and gouging your base metal. same with bolts and stuff when dealing with thin metals. Plasma cutters are good for certain things, but they only cut, thats it.

I hear ya (I think..) Thanks.

 

[deereman75]

Yes, I just use straight tips tho, wanna keep you torch as flat as possible so not pointing into your base metal or you can have accidental gouges. Takes practice but a real good technique once you get good with it. Saves lotta grinding, and a lot of waisted material

I will have to practice that when I get my tanks filled. That will be really good to know for the line of work I am planning to go into. If I see a good deal on a small airco scarfing tip, I will get it. Dont know how small they make them though.

 

[weldermike]

Keep in touch pal, washing takes a little practice, but ill help walk you through it. Once you get good at it youll be glad you used your plasma cutter money on other tools of the trade. For now at least!

 

[deereman75]

Keep in touch pal, washing takes a little practice, but ill help walk you through it. Once you get good at it youll be glad you used your plasma cutter money on other tools of the trade. For now at least!

I think the money I could spend on a plasma would be much better getting me bigger torch tanks and a dc stick welder.