O/A Welding

[Danno1]

.......I've heard guys claim that breathing oxygen is a good hangover remedy.....

This is what your doctor does bef he operates on you first thing in the morn!!!


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[Reg]

I have a bias towards acetylene welding, as I did a fair bit in my apprenticeship, but I usually use it when I don't feel like starting up the generator or have fine work to do(don't own a TIG!) but gwdixon is right on the money; especially with regard to the cost and heat input.

Reg has a good point about the degree of control: heat application and metal deposition are independently controlled.

I use the torches for pre/post heating if needed and also for brazing. I've heard that the saw filers in some local mills still use torches for welding up bandsaw blades, but that it has more to do with stubborn old men than the superiority of the process.

Funny thought: Here in British Columbia there is still a prequalified welding procedure on the books for acetylene welded pressure vessels(PWP 5, I think), but can't imagine it being done anywhere in industry today.... If I had more time and money, I might do it for a laugh and to have it in my log book for bragging rights.

I've heard guys claim that breathing oxygen is a good hangover remedy..is that reason enough to keep the torches around? For hangovers, I preach prevention

Coupla things;
MANY weld instructors will tell you that learning to do O/A and learning to do it WELL is the best path to TIG.
You learn CONTROL.
You don't learn control or penetration with the "Hot melt glue gun".

OK, so much for manual welding.
One of my sons is in weld QA and "manual welding" isn't done in pharma and semi-conductor process lines.
It is ALL automated and the control is all in the set-up, SOME skill is required to fit the joints, but after that it is a push button operation.

O2 and hangovers: - I have heard divers claim that nitrox (oxygen enriched air) can help clear up a hang-over.
I don't dive with a hang over and I don't dive with hung over people, so maybe they just suck down a tank in the back room of the dive shop ?
At least I would HOPE that is how they do it (-:

 

[smfcpacfp]

I have a Victor and a Henrob 2000 OA torch setup. I like to use the Henrob for welding aluminum and cutting thin metal since it uses a good deal less gas. I don't use the Victor much. The Henrob is much easier to handle.

I would have to agree with gwdixon's appraisal of OA welding. I am not sure if the welds are poorer quality since you get a greater pre and postheat, but it is very inefficient and slow. I also have a Millermatic 211 (mig) welder that I use mostly for welding now.

I generally use nitrox when diving. I used it when we diving a week ago on Saba. Usually the blend is 32% oxygen. I don't drink much and probably haven't had a hang over for 30 plus years, but people say that it also makes you less tired after doing multiple dives on the same day. I don't buy that. Anyway my wife and I are headed to the Philippines to dive 3 weeks from today for a couple of weeks of diving with nitrox.

 

[Cami]

On leaks: Remember that the valves on high pressure cylinders, like for oxygen, have that extra packing and are supposed to be opened up all the way when being used; the stems will leak if the valve is only opened half way.

@Danno1: I thought that if a doctor was going to operate on you first thing in the morning, he'd take a little insulin to sober up!

 

[ampa]

Count me in as well....I prefer brazing in new body panels...yes as mentioned it's still a duel purpose way of brazing/heating and cutting off those stubborn bolts....I guess the plasma will do this cheaper better and quicker for a price.... with that said..... I could fill enough tanks to last me for a longgggg time ....yes I have the exchange cylinders with a little bit of acc/ox.... left in both tanks that I purchased more than 3 years ago....and it's not that I don't use the set enough...last summer I used it quite a bit....now I'm gonna' try my luck with this small 110 volt DC Lincoln mig I just bought and see if I can change my habits...not likely unless I can attach a panel without burnin' through and destroying it.....maybe if everyone switches over to tig/mig or stick...I hope I have them in the correct order....maybe the suppliers will give us a break....an drop the price...... for refilling both tanks in the future.....just my 2 cents.......Ampa

 

[Pops15]

MANY weld instructors will tell you that learning to do O/A and learning to do it WELL is the best path to TIG.
You learn CONTROL.

That's exactly what my instructor said back in '76.

 

[mjncad]

I've been thinking of getting a torch for the following uses: heating, brazing, and cutting in that order. I'm not even thinking of using it for welding.