Ballast Tractor Weights - How do you cut them

[J_J]

Moss, thanks for the instructions. I don't know what I am going to do yet, but it would probably be a good thing to learn this anyway.

Bob Rip

Bob, Including all the things David said, let me add a few words here. You can learn rather quickly in a short time if you have the equipment, tanks, goggles, proper clothes, and a good friend that can give you a [ show and tell ] about the things you need to know about the cutting system. I could tell you some funny stories about cutting and welding. It is rather difficult to just jump in and light it off, with out knowing what to expect. You need to know about the regulators, how to turn them on and off. How much pressure for each gage for the tip you are using. The tips usually have a number on the tip which represents the cutting distance. The tip to work piece space is important. You can mess up a tip real quick by the spatter, and the cutting angle is important also. I would suggest a good friend show you, or get a video showing the whole process

 

[BobRip]

Bob, Including all the things David said, let me add a few words here. You can learn rather quickly in a short time if you have the equipment, tanks, goggles, proper clothes, and a good friend that can give you a [ show and tell ] about the things you need to know about the cutting system. I could tell you some funny stories about cutting and welding. It is rather difficult to just jump in and light it off, with out knowing what to expect. You need to know about the regulators, how to turn them on and off. How much pressure for each gage for the tip you are using. The tips usually have a number on the tip which represents the cutting distance. The tip to work piece space is important. You can mess up a tip real quick by the spatter, and the cutting angle is important also. I would suggest a good friend show you, or get a video showing the whole process

OK, Thanks.

Bob Rip

 

[MossRoad]

Very good advice, J_J.

Welding and cutting are skills that will last you a lifetime, even if you use them infrequently. It is sooo handy to have a decent set of torches and tanks at your disposal. I bought my tanks back in 1980 or so and I have only had them filled about 4 times. But when I need them, they are there.

I also have an old Sears AC/DC stick welder that I purchased back then, too. I've only used about 15 pounds (3 boxes) of sticks in 25 years, but, again, it is there when I need it.

I'm using them more on this backhoe project in the last two months than I have probably used them all together in the last 20 years.

I took some welding classes at the local vocational college around 1982 or 83. First I took a gas welding/cutting class, then an arc welding class, then a MIG class. Very handy stuff to know. I recommend classes or, as J_J said, some quality time with a friend that can show you how it's done. I'm still a hack at it, but I have fun.

 

[TimOb]

When I cut, I only turn the acy tank on 1/4 to 1/2 turn, while I turn the oxy tank almost full on. I set my regs for 40 lbs oxy and 4-5 lbs acy. I guess it depends on you're torch/tip setup. From there, I use David's instructions, almost to the letter. You'll be making lots of sparks, so be careful! Proper clothing is a must. I make sure never to have nylon sweats/jacket, etc. Always leather gloves and some type of head/face protection. There are ways of holding the flame to control where the sparks are going, I suppose it depends upon the type of mat'l you're cutting.

 

[wrenchturner]

BobRip,

The actlyene cutting will work but there are alternatives. Once I needed to cut a 6 inch I beam for a weight on the front of my compact tractor. In stead of using my torch, I used a circular saw with a fine tooth carbide blade. Cut each end at an angle in just a few minutes. If you do this you have to have a face shield because the chips fly fast. Also, you can use an abraeive metal cutoff blade in a skill saw. I used this method today cutting sheet metal, angle iron and 1" bar stock as I was patching up my POS (pretty old stuff) bushhog.