Anyone made a homemade torch guide?

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Ok guys, I got a piece of 1 inch plate for my tabletop, next step i need to cut the top to my desired size, so... the question is, has anyone ever made a homemade track burner/ cutting guide for cutting long straight lines. Yes, I could get fairly good results by hand or just clamping a piece of angle on it, but i kinda wanted to get this really smooth the first time. Might be another fun project and useful tool also. I dunno, probaly goofy idea, but its sunday and im bored and looking for more trouble to get into.                                                                         Thanks, NickNick
Reply:I've always used a peice of 1/4"x 2" flat bar 50" long w/ small pieces of same welded to the face every foot w/ the end ones set in 2 inches from the end. You can clamp it down on a 4 foot plate and the gap under it holds it up off the surface. This way the straight portion of the tip is in contact w/ the straight edge.                                   MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Nick go with the angle iron clamped on and be happy... I built a roller type track for my victor and after setting it on fire the first go round I decided to toss it...
Reply:mla2ofus, sounds like a good idea, i dunno if i have it pictured just right though. 84zmiki, haha, that sounds like something that would happen to me!! I should probaly just stay with the tried and true primitive ways. Thanks for the repliesNick
Reply:I've always used a peice of 1/4"x 2" flat bar 50" long
Reply:Well, in the field,  I use a Johnson speed square to make cuts and angles, then a flat 3/8x2 flat bar makes a guide.  But if I have a plasma,  I use the square as a guide.  I have both the cheap plastic Johnson and the aluminum kind.  Both hold up well to the plasma. The OA torch will overheat both if used directly for a guide too long.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by trailgooseOk guys, I got a piece of 1 inch plate for my tabletop, next step i need to cut the top to my desired size, so... the question is, has anyone ever made a homemade track burner/ cutting guide for cutting long straight lines. Yes, I could get fairly good results by hand or just clamping a piece of angle on it, but i kinda wanted to get this really smooth the first time. Might be another fun project and useful tool also. I dunno, probaly goofy idea, but its sunday and im bored and looking for more trouble to get into.                                                                         Thanks, Nick
Reply:I've seen pictures of track torches.  If i remember, the mixer/valves are in line with the head, not like on a regular hand torch.I suppose if a guy isn't doin' it on a production basis, the best way is to draw a line with a silver pencil, and go for it.  If you hold the torch as far back as you can, and keep your hands on a steady rest, you can move the torch in an arc, and cut without moving your hands.  You can do a straight line for at least a foot, maybe a foot and a half this way.  Reset your hands, and do it again.I don't have steady enough hands to do 4 feet of straight line strictly off hand.  I've seen guys do  just that , and I just wanna puke"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Steadiness and speed control are as important as height and line control.Lacking Enlpck's line burner; the next best thing would be to mimic it's steadiness and consistent travel speed.If you put a washer, or better yet,  a set screw locked shaft collar on the torch tip, it makes for a better steady-rest and guide point than just the torch's tip nut.If you put the torch tip through a "bridge" and lay the bridge between two straight edges with guides, this steadies the torch's side-to-side movement,  and makes for a place for your other hand to better help control the torch. Rub soap-stone on the "slides" to make movement smoother.I bought a garage sale variable speed barbecue roaster motor; it was too neat and cheap to pass up. I thought that something like the roaster motor would make a neat constant speed torch pull-motor.Steel wheeled roller skate and a cable pull-motor.... whhhheeeeeeew, look at that cut!
Reply:Denrep, do you have pics?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammDenrep, do you have pics?
Reply:Anything Alfred sees fit to release from the archives will do  Providing it ain't a breach of securityEverything I've tried involves torch angle, and travel, as you've pointed out.  I usually just give up and trust my hands.  Seems that the ol' noodle does a better job of controling the variables sometimes.It has to be reasonably cheap, so it can sit on the shelf for long periods.  Plus, I can't figure why anyone would want that kind of control for longer than maybe a foot. But, then again, I spend a good part of my day sniffin' cow gas"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks in advance"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammAnything Alfred sees fit to release from the archives will do  Providing it ain't a breach of securityEverything I've tried involves torch angle, and travel, as you've pointed out.  I usually just give up and trust my hands.  Seems that the ol' noodle does a better job of controling the variables sometimes.It has to be reasonably cheap, so it can sit on the shelf for long periods.  Plus, I can't figure why anyone would want that kind of control for longer than maybe a foot. But, then again, I spend a good part of my day sniffin' cow gas
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI spend a good part of my day sniffin' cow gas
Reply:There's some pretty innovative stuff that comes offa the inside lane of the Sagamore Bridge. If it's safe, I want to see it.  I like seein' the fog "burst asunder".  Lot of stuff I need to learn."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersamm...Plus, I can't figure why anyone would want that kind of control for longer than maybe a foot....
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Let's hope you're not cuttin' around that methane or there might be an unintentional BBQ event.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepRight, setup and trial run can take as long as the actual cut, but if you're cutting on an expensive piece -or making a cut on a bench top that will be critiqued for years to come- it's worth it.Yup, security and safety is always a concern.Alfred wanted to build some questionable part once.I told him we can't do that; if it fails they'll sue our pants off.A while later Alfred showed me the finished piece, it looked real nice, like a  factory part. He had even started with a piece that had a famous-maker trade mark stamped in it.There, he said; by the time ____'s lawyers get through with 'em, we won't have anything to worry about. I told him to take it to Sagamore.
Reply:NickI did exactly what you are trying to do but I took a different approach since my cutting torch skills could use some work. I got a piece of 3/4" plate 4'x4' that had two finished edges and two rough torch cut edges. What I did was take the head off my Milwaukee chop saw and mount it to a piece of 4" channel so the blade is perpindicular to the base of the channel. What is not shown in the pictures are the deep throat clamps used to hold the channel down to the tabletop. You want to start the cut with the blade rotational axis about 3" beyond the edge of the table so you are not making a flat cut but cutting into an edge. You can cut about 2" at a time before moving the machine and reclamping. It took me about 40 minutes to cut one side and I used up a 14" wheel in the process. You get pretty tired of the noise by the end of the cut but the good news is that it gives almost a machine finish and it is very straight.JimCut an MGB and widened 11" C4 Corvette suspension and LT1 Chevrolet power & 6 spd. Pictures here:Part 1http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581Part 2http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422
Reply:I think you may win the award for the best unintended use of a tool.  Don't tell Milwaukee...Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Jim-- I bet the neighbors loved hearin' that chop saw for that longDid the blade try to bind in the cut at any time?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/...ead.php?t=5370I always tried to work with the oldest hand on the job to gain knowlege but now I can't find any.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammJim-- I bet the neighbors loved hearin' that chop saw for that longDid the blade try to bind in the cut at any time?
Reply:Alfred said he'd stay late and whip up a quick "bench trimmer" prototype:Attachment 25756A chunk of 1" scrap was tacked to the bench so we wouldn't have to trim the actual bench top.   Two cuts were made with the prototype.No fine detail work or plans, just whatever parts and pieces were handy:Attachment 25752Attachment 25753First cut (above) was okay, but torch was set a little too hot.Second cut (below) showed very little slag at the bottom edge.Attachment 25754The first cut is against the bench, under the pliers.The photos exaggerate the cut lines, they are actually quite smooth.No cleaning after the cut whatsoever, the pictures show actual "as cut" condition.Attachment 25755With some refining, cuts could be even better.The prototype can stay together for a few days in case someone has a test request or wants other pics; but one of these days it'll have to be cleared off the bench. Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:37 PM.Thanks guys for all the great ideas, Denrip i really like your idea, is their anything you would refine or change on it to make it better? This is probaly the direction i would like to go. Do you think you could get a good cut about 6 foot long if I were to  build it in a bigger scale. Thanks, NickNick
Reply:Denrep,Positvely ingeniously simple.I wonder what a few linear bearings would do?You got me to thinking. I got to make a 48 inch straight cut tomorrow.Incidently, what kind of fine torch is that?  I don't recognize it as a Smith, Victor, or Harris.  Possibly a prestolite/purox/Esab?Last edited by lugweld; 12-01-2008 at 11:35 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:The only deviation I see from a true line (first cut) is probably attributalbe to the angle iron walking on the angle iron rail.  It's not a absolutely true bearing surface, and the friction is pretty damn high.   And the only thing holding the torch carriage to the rail is gravity.  It ain't restrained in any other way. Using a hand torch, and one that long is amazing (there's a huge imbalance potential there).  Just pulling it evenly is amazing.  Finding the true center for the (what would be called a half nut on a lathe) nut, considering the weight of the torch, will also prevent any walking.The blow marks on the steel are absolutely uniform.  Power feed did the trick.There's a reason the Bridgeport, and South Bend name is known worldwide for quality.  It comes from American ingenuity.People in this country don't wonder if it can be done, they go out and do it.Cheers man"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:or was that where the preheat did something weird?  Slight off line at far end of piece."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by trailgoose...is their anything you would refine or change on it to make it better?... ...Do you think you could get a good cut about 6 foot long if I were to  build it in a bigger scale.
Reply:Angle iron man, just a few pieces of angle iron.  It's f##### amazing.This has been one hell of a post."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Let Alfred know he's gotta gift subscription to his favorite mag in the mail"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammor was that where the preheat did something weird?  Slight off line at far end of piece.
Reply:I don't know about the torch you use, but my Harris is really sensitive to tip distance from the workpiece.  A bend like that would shut me down, or start doin' strange things.  Most likely, I'd lose the cut.  Same deal if it came too close....POP!!!!!!I see what you're talkin' aboutLast edited by farmersamm; 12-02-2008 at 12:45 AM.Reason: last sentence"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I think im going try to get some stuff together today and start on mine, Do you think more weight on the torch (Small pieces of angle) and maybe a little grease on the rails would make it track better?Nick
Reply:Rub the rails with soapstone. It will make them slick but not nasty like grease will.
Reply:Originally Posted by trailgooseI think im going try to get some stuff together today and start on mine, Do you think more weight on the torch (Small pieces of angle) and maybe a little grease on the rails would make it track better?
Reply:Hmmm, some Thompson shafting, some linear glide bearings, some of that (recently) posted Acme threaded rod from ENCO or maybe go with ball-screws, add some doohickeys and just one whatchit and then three gizmos, rig it all up to a PC and have some encoders and 3-axis servo motors, and you have a home-rolled CNC multi-axis torch cutter!  Ingenious, denrep.    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Love it!  Great thread.
Reply:Yes, a straight line torch guide with attachments for bevel cuts and a side rollers is made by Torchtec and can be seen at torchtec.com       http://torchtec.com/  No tracks are needed and the base price is $100.00.
Reply:Originally Posted by torchtecYes, a straight line torch guide with attachments for bevel cuts and a side rollers is made by Torchtec and can be seen at torchtec.com       http://torchtec.com/  No tracks are needed and the base price is $100.00.
Reply:Hello, I know this thread is rather old, but here goes..    its roughly 30" long, and the "rail" is just high enough that when I rest the torch tip nut on it , its the perfect height Attached ImagesL-Tec PCM-VPi II Hobart Handler140Millermatic 35Lincoln Power arc 4000Lincoln Ranger 10,000 ( 3 ) Longevity Tigweld 160SX Purox O/A setup100lb anvilXLO/servosource cnc mill
Reply:Originally Posted by Jim StabeI actually took a half day off work and did it when most everybody was gone, including my wife. I try to not make loud noise before 10:00 or after 5:00 to preserve peace with the neighbors.If you set the saw head up correctly so the blade is vertical and parallel with the channel base. it cuts surprisingly well. In the last picture shows a couple of "witness marks" from the blade but they can barely be felt with your fingernail. That is the straight edge I use to shear sheetmetal with my Kett shear, don't have room for a stomp shear in the shop.Jim
Reply:I prefer a torch bar similar to the picture. I find angles are hard to keep the torch from moving side to side while cutting. Not what I would recommended anyways. The 1/2 round keeps the slag off the bar. A trade tip, run some soap stone over the guide. The coating of soap stone makes the torch slide freely and also keep the slag from sticking to the steel guide. There is also a youtube video of a drill that makes a torch run along a plate and cuts like a CNC. I will see if I can find it. Attached Images
Reply:Here the video I was talking about.Great idea to run a torch with a drill...You would have to cut slower but the idea would work.Last edited by oxygen454; 01-16-2011 at 03:41 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by oxygen454Here the video I was talking about.Great idea to run a torch with a drill...You would have to cut slower but the idea would work.
Reply:Hey men check this out...ya cant go wrong..a perfect line and simple to build, Im trying to figure out how to attach a pic for ya...
Reply:Since this old thread has been resurrected, here's reply #25 again, with the pictures.Like deja vu all over again, for anyone who missed it the first time around:Alfred said he'd stay late and whip up a quick "bench trimmer" prototype:Attachment 61418A chunk of 1" scrap was tacked to the bench so we wouldn't have to trim the actual bench top. Two cuts were made with the prototype.No fine detail work or plans, just whatever parts and pieces were handy:First cut (above) was okay, but torch was set a little too hot.Second cut (below) showed very little slag at the bottom edge.The first cut is against the bench, under the pliers.The photos exaggerate the cut lines, they are actually quite smooth.No cleaning after the cut whatsoever, the pictures show actual "as cut" condition.With some refining, cuts could be even better.The prototype can stay together for a few days in case someone has a test request or wants other pics; but one of these days it'll have to be cleared off the bench.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 01-16-2011 at 08:16 PM.
Reply:Nothing fancy but cat get perfect cuts Attached Images