Cutting Torch

[skyhightree1]

I wish I could use a torch that well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EGmrPiumEU

 

[Bigfoot]

It's probably an antiquated technology now, but I bought a plasma cutter about 15 years ago. I like it better than a torch.

 

[skyhightree1]

Bigfoot I have no experience with a plasma cutter is it easier to make straight lines ? Is it faster than a torch? I know there expensive as s... I don't do enough with metal to justify buying one. I may make a few tractor carry alls for people ever so offen but thats really all I do and the chop saw and torch is all I have ever used.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

i dont worry about my cuttin' and welding jobs... as long as i got one of these close by
http://wstoollibrary.org/files/2012/04/ ... rinder.jpg :cowboy:

 

[inyati13]

That is some nice cutting. I think what you lose with the plasma cutter if you don't have a torch is the capability to use a rosebud to heat and bend. I use my Oxygen/Acetylene for heating and bending as much as for cutting. My neighbor bent the big spear on the round bale spear for his loader. He ran into the ground with it as he was crossing a creek. He didn't think it could be straightened. We found a ten foot piece of pipe. I heated it with a rosebud. We slid the pipe over it, both of us got on it and it straightened out perfectly.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

We use cutting torch's and like them better than a plasma cutter. A good torch with propylene will cut faster and better than a plasma cutter.

 

[inyati13]

i dont worry about my cuttin' and welding jobs... as long as i got one of these close by
http://wstoollibrary.org/files/2012/04/ ... rinder.jpg :cowboy:

10/4 my friend. I can make a nasty job look pretty good with that. :tiphat:

 

[skyhightree1]

i dont worry about my cuttin' and welding jobs... as long as i got one of these close by
http://wstoollibrary.org/files/2012/04/ ... rinder.jpg :cowboy:

10/4 my friend. I can make a nasty job look pretty good with that. :tiphat:

I hope yall never have to work on something where there is no electricity lol

 

[skyhightree1]

That is some nice cutting. I think what you lose with the plasma cutter if you don't have a torch is the capability to use a rosebud to heat and bend. I use my Oxygen/Acetylene for heating and bending as much as for cutting. My neighbor bent the big spear on the round bale spear for his loader. He ran into the ground with it as he was crossing a creek. He didn't think it could be straightened. We found a ten foot piece of pipe. I heated it with a rosebud. We slid the pipe over it, both of us got on it and it straightened out perfectly.

I do use mine to straighten out metal at times.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

i dont worry about my cuttin' and welding jobs... as long as i got one of these close by
http://wstoollibrary.org/files/2012/04/ ... rinder.jpg :cowboy:

10/4 my friend. I can make a nasty job look pretty good with that. :tiphat:

I hope yall never have to work on something where there is no electricity lol

well in a situations like that.. i wouldnt care if it looks like you've sewn a cow's ass up with grape vine. long as it gets it done

 

[skyhightree1]

I hope yall never have to work on something where there is no electricity lol[/quote] well in a situations like that.. i wouldnt care if it looks like you've sewn a cow's ass up with grape vine. long as it gets it done[/quote]

LMAO - now thats a new one on me I almost spit out my water on the keyboard

 

[Bigfoot]

The plasma cutter will cut a straight line. Especially if you lay a piece of angle on what you are cutting, and draw it down the side of the angle.

Just me personally------I think when you get something hot enough to cut it with a torch, you make it brittle.

 

[backhoeboogie]

The plasma cutter will cut a straight line. Especially if you lay a piece of angle on what you are cutting, and draw it down the side of the angle.

Just me personally------I think when you get something hot enough to cut it with a torch, you make it brittle.

Yes. You can actually do the opposite too. Depends. Cool down rate can have as much to do with it as anything else. Seen people ruin expensive tool grade steel doing the opposite.

Plasma can cut metals that torches can't. Plasma doesn't help for gas welding or heating and bending, forming, repairing. I've got electricity on my welder so power is not an issue. I prefer a torch for most of my all around farm work and/or mending. Personal preference only.

 

[inyati13]

The plasma cutter will cut a straight line. Especially if you lay a piece of angle on what you are cutting, and draw it down the side of the angle.

Just me personally------I think when you get something hot enough to cut it with a torch, you make it brittle.

I am not a metal expert but I got close access to guys who are, one is my little brother. But I thought it was noteworthy in that clip that the guy said "he thought the metal burns". It does. The gas gets the metal hot, when you start cutting, the oxygen burns the metal. If you want to demonstrate that, if you get the metal hot and start cutting with the oxygen, you can turn the gas off and the oxygen will keep the cut going as the metal is oxidized in a total burn.

Bigfoot, I don't know exactly what you mean by the statement about brittle. The cutting area is not going to affect very much of a piece of steel. And the area that gets hot can be retempered if you know how based on how you quench it.

Also, as backhoe said above me, if you got a welder, wouldn't you have electricity. Or are you just talking about the cutting torch. I have never had my cutting torch out in the field but I guess if you did, you might be away form electricity. But then I would just throw the generator on with the torch and TA TA, there is the electricity to run the angle grinder.

 

[Bigfoot]

I ain't got no book learning to back me up, I just think a torch cut piece of metal is brittle around where the cut was made.

 

[jedstivers]

Like everything else, every tool has a use and purpose. Don't try using one for another. I've had a plasma cutter since 99 and love it. Use a torch for lots of stuff with the plasma cutter setting right beside it.

 

[inyati13]

I ain't got no book learning to back me up, I just think a torch cut piece of metal is brittle around where the cut was made.

Bigfoot, I am only repeating what my metal friends tell me. Try this and maybe someone else on here can say a word or two. After you cut a piece of metal. Quench it in old hydraulic oil, not water. Water will cool it too fast and make the end brittle.

 

[greybeard]

If you need to cut a long cut, use a nozzle buggy or torch dolly. They're the same thing--just diff names. I used to cut lots of 12-20' long foot sheets of 1/4" with them.

 

[B&M Farms]

I ain't got no book learning to back me up, I just think a torch cut piece of metal is brittle around where the cut was made.

Bigfoot, I am only repeating what my metal friends tell me. Try this and maybe someone else on here can say a word or two. After you cut a piece of metal. Quench it in old hydraulic oil, not water. Water will cool it too fast and make the end brittle.

Bigfoot is right for the most part. When you cut metal its best to use the smallest tip and least amount of oxygen pressure needed for the thickness you are burning. This will keep the heat effected zone smaller. The smaller the heat effected zone the more mild the still will remain. Plasma cutters do this well but cutting torches still have there place. A plasma cutter is more suited to thinner metals and alloys to me and cutting torches are a better choice for thicker metal.
As far as quenching, it is best to let your cuts and welds cool slowly. This lets the metal molecules return close to original. Quenching with oil or water is a type of forging and this makes the metal super brittle unless it is tempered or stress relieved afterwards.

 

[inyati13]

I ain't got no book learning to back me up, I just think a torch cut piece of metal is brittle around where the cut was made.

Bigfoot, I am only repeating what my metal friends tell me. Try this and maybe someone else on here can say a word or two. After you cut a piece of metal. Quench it in old hydraulic oil, not water. Water will cool it too fast and make the end brittle.

Bigfoot is right for the most part. When you cut metal its best to use the smallest tip and least amount of oxygen pressure needed for the thickness you are burning. This will keep the heat effected zone smaller. The smaller the heat effected zone the more mild the still will remain. Plasma cutters do this well but cutting torches still have there place. A plasma cutter is more suited to thinner metals and alloys to me and cutting torches are a better choice for thicker metal.
As far as quenching, it is best to let your cuts and welds cool slowly. This lets the metal molecules return close to original. Quenching with oil or water is a type of forging and this makes the metal super brittle unless it is tempered or stress relieved afterwards.

Thanks. I like to learn about metals and metal work. I have enjoyed this thread. Like to see more like it.