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?

 

[monckywrench]

Seal Seat Co. has lots of exploded drawings and may assist in identifying your torch.

A clear side view pic would help.

Also, remove the tip nut and put the whole cutting tip in the pic so we can see the base of the tip to identify the style.

Tips for most anything are available.

 

[thegrouse]

On the tip itself it says AGA 21-1 or 211. Also has a 10/0 on the tip. It may be a cheap brand. I thought I got a good deal on the set but I think the torch is probably junk and the hoses are in bad shape. I am probably better picking up another hose/regulator set at an estate sale then trying to fix up this set. It works fine now and I will use it for what I can. I just like to know what tips to buy. The way the cutting torch attaches to the mixing barrel is different. I have put PB Blaster on the screws but they are still stuck.

 

[yomax4]

This is a Very old set. Very old. You will never find welding tips for it but the Cutting tip is a Harris 6290 series.

 

[thegrouse]

Ok thanks for the info. I will use it to cut up some pipe and keep my eyes peeled for a decent set on craigslist or an estate sale.

 

[stihlman]

That will do fine for now but keep your eyes and ears open for a newer,higher quality outfit. I have a MECO torch and a VICTOR, both were used and I got them cheap. Tips are readily available and most welding supply shops can send them off to be rebuilt for a reasonable price. Have fun and be safe

Steve

 

[Ken45101]

O/A is versatile and can weld about anything with the proper setup.

However, O/A can also be very dangerous with any leaks, etc. NEW hoses are not that expensive, $20-30 at LWS.

 

[k0ua]

Also that ace tank looks pretty small.. what is the safe draw rate for that tank?, If you are going to be welding thick material and using large tips, how big can you safely go with that tank? dont forget the 1/7 rule. I have a small portatorch kit, and certainly cannot weld heavy steel with this small ace tank.

James K0UA

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Is that what they used to build the Titanic?:laughing:
If anything, that torch ought to be in a museum.:thumbsup:
But hey, if it works you can cut up/down anything, from the city water tower to borrowing a section of RR track from the local tracks...if you were into that such of enterprise.

 

[monckywrench]

I have 1930s torches which work fine, but they are Oxweld (and one Victor) so that's expected.

Send the pics to OADoctor. He'll know. I believe it's an AGA brand torch since their tips are Harris style.

Tips AGA 211 Assembly Diagram - American Torch Tip

Torches - Products > Cutting & Welding Equipment | AGA Region Europe North

Craftsman had a lot of their torches made by Harris but that one's kind of odd. Has an Oxweld-style tip nut etc. Might be Harris regs and AGA torch.

Regulatortorchrepair.com - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

 

[thegrouse]

Those look like some good links there. I just bought some new hoses and a new low pressure acetylene gauge. I leak checked the entire setup and my oxygen regulator is leaking. It cannot be tightened any tighter and I think a diaphram is leaking or something. Guess this wasn't the deal I thought it was. I am going to find a reasonable quality regulator and keep an eye out for a Victor torch with a cutting head. I saw a Smith regulator for 49 in a pawn shop. Then as time goes on I can get the additional welding tips. Thanks for all the help folks.