| Author |
Message |
    
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 11:39 am: | 
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I know its not disco-specific - but does anyone know if there's a torch that can run off propane and oxygen (which I have) that will cut 1/4" steel, or would I have to go to acetylene? You see its kinda slow with the band saw / sawzall.
Thanks IA,
Dean |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 11:51 am: |
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There very common. A good welding supply will have them and there is one on the bottom of this page:
http://www.ioxygen.com/welding-2.htm
HTH
Anon :D |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 12:03 pm: |
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Yes very helpful thank you. One more question: What kind of accuracy can you achieve in cutting say 1/4" plate? I mean is it a nice straight cut or is it blotchy and melting all over the place (i never used a torch cutter before). And what kind of cutting speed will I see with that torch w/propane/O2? |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 12:13 pm: |
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Using solid oxygen and propane is a real PIA. I don't know what those using bottled oxygen are capable of, however, the difference in temperature between proane and acetylene will be difficult to notice. I often use propane in place of acetylene if my acetylene tank is empty and it's a weekend.
The cleanliness of the cut usually has more to do with torch adjustment and skill, rather than the fuels used. If you need a clean cut, and as you say you've never used a cutting torch, buy some more bimetallic blades for your sawzall.
Paul |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 12:21 pm: |
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Paul,
WTF is solid oxygen?
And damnnnn, the torch sounded much more interesting than a bunch of new sawzall blades. (Although I prefer the milwakee(sp?) portable band saw for most stuff). Seriously I was just wondering since I already have O2 and propane in my place with regs and all.
Dean |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 02:20 pm: |
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Dean:
There used to be a company that sold you what was essentially a tube with a screw-on lid that went to a propane torch. You would take this cylinder about an inch in diameter and four inches long, light one end of it and quickly stuff it into the tube with the screw-on lid and immediately light the torch. The burning cylinder generated oxygen to burn. Funny, I don't know what the chemistry for that is. I had one for a few months until my father saw the difficulty I was having and bought me a torch. If he'd had any sense, he would have bought me the sawz-all instead. I once caught a car on fire and didn't know it until the old man sprayed me with the hose he was using to try and put the fire out. The damned car burned for weeks!
If you have the equipment, by all means use it. The only way you will learn how to use it is to use it. I have had folks tell me that I shouldn't use propane with my torch, however, the instructions that came with my torch specifically discussed using propane with no other modifications. I have several friends who have never used acetylene in their torches, merely going to the gas station and exchanging tanks when empty. There is a certain amount of elegance to doing things that way. If you're anal about regulatory compliance (your insurance company is!), interestingly enough, NFPA does not allow for propane tanks greater than one pound inside a building, but you can have as big a tank of acetylene as you'd like. Fortunately, this would probably not come up until after the fire has been extinguished and your insurance adjuster shows up:-).
Go buy a lighter and get cutting! Remember to wear your safety glasses with at least a #5 green filter.
Paul |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 02:46 pm: |
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Paul - good point with the insurance! You mean I can't keep that bbq propane tank in my basement? LOL better move it outside. Thanks for the info.
Dean (whos sawzall doesn't go round corners) |
Ho Chung (Ho)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 03:11 pm: |
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so dean, what you cookin there?  |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 04:28 pm: |
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I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you afterwards.;) |
Ho Chung (Ho)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 04:30 pm: |
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dean, it's ok, kill me. but tell me first. |
Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 05:26 pm: |
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Well, I'm putting together some sliders for the disco2. Nothing fancy, no box sections, no $500, just a flat plate with some side clamps welded on. I'll send a report when I am done. |
Ho Chung (Ho)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 05:46 pm: |
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ahhhh!!!!
time to take cover now. some shit gonna come flying my way and strike me. LOL
yeah, keep us posted. it's always fun to watch. |
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