torch guide bars

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Some people might have never used guide bars for torch cutting.  If you have many cuts to do that are all similar it sometimes pays to make up something.  It can be as simple as a piece of flat bar with a handle on it.  I will attach pictures of shop made devices as I look through my files.  This picture shows a selection and the inset shows a guide bar that will sit on the edge of the beam flange while you make your vertical cut.  Generally flame cut vertically up.  Any slag hanging up will not cling to virgin material on the back side and cause you trouble.  Vertical down cuts work but if any slag clings and rolls downward it gets in the way.  Also note the file on the bench.  If you want accurate layout your soapstone must be sharp. Attached Images
Reply:Very Nice. I have never done enough cutting at one time to justify making patterns. But I do use a straight piece of steel when (Trying) to plasma cut a straight piece of Stainless or Sheet Metal. My dad has made patterns of MG rocker pannels and misc parts. He can bang them out in minutes with O&A and a small brake.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:I found a pic of a guide for slotting structural tubing on the corners.  Often tube columns have a connection plate that pierces the tube diagonally.  The limit for jigs is your own imagination.  Anyone else??? Attached Images
Reply:This is an example of a special torch guide for cutting tee slots in wide flange beam.  The pieces are quarter inch flat bar tack welded together.  The radiused ends are small piece of tubing.  The nuts and reddi-rod are for final adjustment against the underside of the beam flange.  Some scrap pieces of quarter inch material were tacked to the underside so that the part that the torch rode against was a quarter off the material. Attached Images
Reply:Nice guides! Gotta love the "torch-o-matic 3000" ...hahaaa!  Hop in the chat room, it's barren.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Lotech - Thanks for posting the pics.  I love to see the jigs\helpers that the pro's use.  I learn alot from this.MetalBob