A couple of one-off from friends

Movin/on · Jan 3, 2019

A couple of one-off from friends Cut-O-Matic and Voltbox

Both were free and I don't really know if I'll ever use them. Had each for about 10 years

NCG Cut-O-Matic motorized AC torch from the WW2 ship building days in SD Ca. I also was given about 6 torch tips 00 thru 3 and a bunch of Misc. unknown fittings. The drive "cart" has 2 wheels that ride on a double V-track each about 3/8" wide and 6 inches apart. The rear wheel is on a caster and rides on the Torch side track. The left drive wheel can be unlocked so it will free-wheel. It will then follow a curved track.

Voltbox. Given this from a neighbor who is 90+ and started some sort of Vacumn welding and cutting of stainless for areo-space and medical instruments. Not sure if it qualifies as Vintage but it seems to be from the 1970's. AC in AC out 0 to 140V in and 10 amps max. out. The dial adjusts the output voltage in increments 0 to 100%. Plugged a small bench top grinder for a quick test and it did reduce the speed. Not more for more than 10 seconds so I wouldn't damage the disposable HF grinder. What type of 110V AC motors would run on this?

Movin/on

930dreamer · Jan 3, 2019

Sold listing on eBay;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NCG-Cut-O-...825529?hash=item1a6bdd7639:g:8nUAAOSw5qdb3e50

h~moto · Jan 3, 2019

My experience with a variable ac power supply has been for heating a nichrome wire that is attached to a moving arm and used to cut (burn) through polyester material. One set-up would trim rolls to the desired width. Another would be used to cut the rolls into pads.

Stuart in MN · Jan 3, 2019

The variable transformer would be used more often for working on old electronic devices. For instance, the people who restore vacuum tube radios use them when first starting up the radio - they'll start out with a low value and gradually increase it to make sure everything is functioning properly, without letting out any smoke.

They're not meant for controlling motor speed, on an AC motor you vary the frequency and not the voltage.

Superior Electric is still around and still sells a similar product.

Stadger · Jan 3, 2019

Stuart in MN said:
The variable transformer would be used more often for working on old electronic devices. For instance, the people who restore vacuum tube radios use them when first starting up the radio - they'll start out with a low value and gradually increase it to make sure everything is functioning properly, without letting out any smoke.

Quite correct. I'm one of those old radio guys and I've had one for years.

notlob · Jan 3, 2019

Here are some uses and tips for your Voltbox variable AC transformer, generically referred to as a Variac: https://antiqueradio.org/Variacs.htm

h~moto · Jan 3, 2019

I never learned the electronic device application for a variable ac power supply. Lots of great info on this site. Thanks.

Movin/on · Jan 4, 2019

Thanks for the replies. Not looking for a value since the have some momento value. Just wanted to show what is out there.

Thinking of retro fitting a plasma torch to the Cut-O-matic.

Movin/on

alwaysFlOoReD · Jan 4, 2019

I recently used a cut-o-matic converted to plasma. Works great.

PowerWagonBuilder · Apr 28, 2025

I ended up with a Cut-O-Matic out of an old shipping container earlier this year. Messed with it some and got it up and running. Built a track for it and got to use it this weekend to rip some 1/2" and 5/8" steel plate. Worked great!
I may end up making an attachment to run my plasma torch on it too.

Provincial · Apr 28, 2025

Back in the 1970's I worked in a shop that had an old Airco burning table with an electric-eye tracing system. This would follow a white paper pattern laid out on the black background and covered with a sheet of plexiglass. The motor drive used a rubber tire that contacted the plexiglass sheet and would both swivel the tire and rotate it. Following a curve went well, and the company burned out log chain sprockets. Burning out the sprockets required adjusting the pattern to compensate for offset of the torch to the swivel, so the torch didn't quite follow the pattern exactly. It was a trail-and-error program where a pencil replaced the torch tip and the pattern adjusted several times. Once close enough, metal was cut and even more compensation was made for the kerf! Once the patterns were perfected, they were good forever.

I'm sure this machine came from a WWII shipyard, as the shop had many other machines from similar sources.

PowerWagonBuilder · Apr 29, 2025

Provincial said:
Back in the 1970's I worked in a shop that had an old Airco burning table with an electric-eye tracing system. This would follow a white paper pattern laid out on the black background and covered with a sheet of plexiglass. The motor drive used a rubber tire that contacted the plexiglass sheet and would both swivel the tire and rotate it. Following a curve went well, and the company burned out log chain sprockets. Burning out the sprockets required adjusting the pattern to compensate for offset of the torch to the swivel, so the torch didn't quite follow the pattern exactly. It was a trail-and-error program where a pencil replaced the torch tip and the pattern adjusted several times. Once close enough, metal was cut and even more compensation was made for the kerf! Once the patterns were perfected, they were good forever.

I'm sure this machine came from a WWII shipyard, as the shop had many other machines from similar sources.

There is a similar machine still buried in the same container that this track torch came out of and I am trying to aquire it.

A couple of one-off from friends

Movin/on

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