New Cutting Rig

[thegrouse]

I just bought my first full size cutting rig. I have done quite a bit of silver soldering with the oxy-acetylene and a limited amount of tack welding with the orange flux coated rod. I have always used the small portable setups. The one I just bought has the same Oxygen and Acetylene regulator gauge. They are made by Craftsman. Is this normal on the big setups?

I remember setting the Acetylene between 5-10 and the Oxygen at 20. Is this about right? With the right rod can I weld steel to steel as strong as a stick welder? I am just going to use it for general maintenance and ag use. I have started watching some youtube videos on using the setup and it looks pretty simple. Any idea what it costs to fill the Acetylene these days? Sorry for all of the questions. Also I just finished reading Welding For Dummies and it does not cover too much about the oxy fuel welding. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sublifer]

Oxy should be about 2.4 times your acy pressure. Never tried welding with it myself, rather inexperienced at welding myself but I know thicker steel would really tax an OA welder and Acy is pretty expensive from what I've heard. If I were you I'd look at an inexpensive stick welder. I bought an Everlast unit recently and like it so far.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Last time I filled my Acetylene tank it cost me $80. That was a month ago, and it's the tank that's about 4 feet tall.

I love having a torch for cutting, bending, etc. I've welded just enough to say I did it, but I'll stick with my stick welder. The only time I'd be tempted to break out the Oxy/Acy outfit is if I have to weld something very thin and delicate.

I just picked up a second stick welder the other day for $60. It's an old Lincoln AC Tombstone type welder. I bought it to swap it's 20' leads with the 12' ones on my newer AC/DC model. When you can buy a whole welder for less than a bottle of acetylene the math ads up pretty quick in favor of using a stick welder.

 

[thegrouse]

I do not have 220v in my garage. Most of my welding will be done out at my place and there is no power. I have never stick welded and will cost quite a bit to get a good portable setup. We will see how much I am welding with this setup before I take the plunge on a welder/generator.

 

[yomax4]

PM me with an address and I will send you some Very Cool Brazing Rods. I have some secret stuff that you can repair Gears, Sprockets or build a nice set of Mini Deer Antlers or a Mini Palm Tree or what ever
with. :thumbsup:

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I do not have 220v in my garage. Most of my welding will be done out at my place and there is no power. I have never stick welded and will cost quite a bit to get a good portable setup. We will see how much I am welding with this setup before I take the plunge on a welder/generator.

I have done (still do it) a lot of O/A welding, all posistions, on up to 3/4" material. It is hot work on the bigger sections. I have tips from #0 to #6. Some think it is slower but 3/8 and smaller you can do in one pass with full penetration. Controlling the puddle is the secret and takes practice. I find horizontal the most challenging as the upper piece wants to undercut and if you are not careful the bottom sags with out fusing in Practice! Practice! Find a good teacher, or take an adult tech class. I learned it in high school shop class back in the 50s. Yes the Acet is expensive and goes fast on the thicker stuff, but ngreat for working out in the field like you plan. In some cases brazing is a good repair technique. I have a arc welder also, they both have their place in a well equipped shop. I keep a lot of rod options on hand to be ready for that quick repair.

Ron

 

[thegrouse]

That was what I was looking to hear Seabee. You can weld up to 3/4 material with the setup. I will swing by a welding shop this week and see what kind of general purpose rods they have. I also need a few tips. I cut some steel with it yesterday and it worked good.

 

[yomax4]

That was what I was looking to hear Seabee. You can weld up to 3/4 material with the setup. I will swing by a welding shop this week and see what kind of general purpose rods they have. I also need a few tips. I cut some steel with it yesterday and it worked good.

When looking for tips for a Craftsman, Keep in mind that they had many manufacturers making the torches for them. Marquette, Dockson, Harris and others. Sears only supports the items for so long. If you post a pic of the Torch we can figure out which one it is.

 

[Shield Arc]

That was what I was looking to hear Seabee. You can weld up to 3/4 material with the setup. I will swing by a welding shop this week and see what kind of general purpose rods they have. I also need a few tips. I cut some steel with it yesterday and it worked good.

If you're going to weld material that thick with O/A, I suggest you pick up a tinted face shield too! You won't believe how fast you will get chapped lips from all the heat.

 

[thegrouse]

Here is the setup.

And a few of the torch head. I have not disassembled the head yet. There are not any markings to be read. Any ideas on brand?