jimnickol1986
Well-known member
I'm just now setting up my torches and my first job with them is to cut a steel I beam, I need to know where to set my regs....and future use will be for heating bolts and stubborn fastners ....thanks
OA cutting torch question..
- Thread starter jimnickol1986
- Start date
bad_idea
Well-known member
I myself am similairly ignorant to torch use. Seems stupid simple to operate, but there is some skill involved. Especially to make clean cuts. What is this RTFM you speak of? What is a good source to learn how to properly operate a O/A torch?
kald
Well-known member
Your manuals for the regs should have settings if you don't have the manual look for them online.
Garage5.9
Well-known member
open the actylene maybe no more than a 1/4 turn and the oxygen open it wide open. Actylene pressure like stated should be no more than 15 so to keep it safe id go to 10 and on the oxygen side 25 should be good.
OP
jimnickol1986
Well-known member
thanks alot guys
Alchymist
Well-known member
I start at 7 & 22. Just me.
csp
Well-known member
Read The Flipping Manual.
Aren't there tips/tricks/instructions for everything on the internet?
PCO6
Well-known member
... and I'm guessing you cleaned it up a bit. 
It depends on the gauges so without the brand and the settings tag were in the dark. You will most likely using a #2 tip but without knowing the size of the beam we can't give you a definitave answer. The manual contains your answer.
Alchymist
Well-known member
First time I've heard that ....I would think that 7 PSI of acetylene pressure and 20+ PSI of oxygen pressure would be the same regardless of whose regulators you were using. Otherwise why bother to have gauges?
steel 35
Well-known member
Here is something I made 30 years ago for mine before I even heard of a mig, Piece of tape around the handle and its very good at cutting circles with a little practice. My settings for sheet metal up to 1/4" Are way open Acetylene valve and regulator set at 3 PSI so I am using the regulator instead of a cheese ball valve; and 40 on the Oxygen Yes its a little hard to preheat but if you can pop the slag off with you finger I can take a little more time. Others will crank it up and turn the cheese ball valve down. 
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Its a simple referece for someone not accustomed to welding. I was assuming no previous experience was held by the OP. We could go into specifics, for instance Victor cutting torch would be set to 35/40 oxy cutting pressure and 4/8 for acy for a #2 tip. Generally the gauges match the torch when a first time kit is bought. This is what I was refering to. You and I both know that a regulator is a regulator. Should have clarified myself the first time.
sberry
Banned
Generally 25 or so 0 is plenty for clean number 1 tip for up to 1/2, larger tips, thicker steel needs more. Ideally just enough to burn thru for a quality cut, scrapping type work is a different matter. Higher pressure is a waste on cuts. As for turning the fuel way down, its ok with small tips but not sure whats to gain by turning reg way down other than a possibility of fuel starvation.
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sberry
Banned
The last pic is from the net, I thought it was pretty but it may have been done by the art dept as there are really a couple things wrong with it, fairly minor but in principle.
Different quality of cut here, about 40 psi on the 0 as speed was everything, quality almost nothing other than its slower to make a crude cut. 1 inch rebar.
Different quality of cut here, about 40 psi on the 0 as speed was everything, quality almost nothing other than its slower to make a crude cut. 1 inch rebar.
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RTFM = Read The F'n Manual
The settings used depend on the tip size being used and the brand (as different brands call tip sizes slightly differently).
A Victor torch? Go to the Victor website. Use your Google-fu if you don't already know the website.
Harris torch? Go to the Harris website.
No-name? RTFM that came with the set or go to their website and get the manual.
Etc, etc.
General info? Use Google-fu and look it up.
Some good info/knowledge via this page, from ESAB:
http://esabna.com/us/en/education/esab-university.cfm
MIG welding?
http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig1_1.htm
Arc (aka 'stick' aka SMAW)?
http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/AWTC/Lesson1_1.htm
Oxy-fuel?
http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/OXY_handbook/589oxy1_1.htm
Victor is a Thermadyne 'brand' company (along with Tweco, Thermal Dynamics, Stoody, and Arcair) so go to the Thermadyne website.
http://www.thermadyne.com
Hmmm, looks like Thermadyne is changing its 'parent' name (again) and the Thermadyne website (still works) links you to
http://www.victortechnologies.com
Go here for the Victor literature:
http://victortechnologies.com/victor/resource-center/literature.html
And Cut-Weld Safety PDF at
http://thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/DocLib_4711_Cutting Heating Welding Guide (0056-3260)__Sept2009.pdf
Since the OP didn't even mention what brand torch he has, or what tip size he has, there is no way I can tell him what 'exact' setting to use. Other than RTFM and the general O-A safety rules of:
NEVER set the acetylene pressure higher than 15 psi. Else BOOOM. (no kidding there, in case you didn't realize it, acetylene is a slightly unstable molecule and at pressures a bit higher than 15 psi it can spontaneously decompose and go BOOM all by itself.
)Do not exceed the 1/7 withdrawal rate from the acetylene tank. Not sure exactly what that means? RTFM.
jdcompman
Well-known member
This is exactly what you do NOT want to do! There are many reasons why this is a terrible idea.
OP
jimnickol1986
Well-known member
I have a Harris torch and Linde regulators...like I mentioned before I will be using this to heat up bolts and occasionally cut steel
OP
jimnickol1986
Well-known member
I tried posting pics from my phone, must not have worked so when I I get home I'll post them
OP