first O/A welding in 30 years......what I learned today,with picture..

admin

The tiny bit of experience I had thirty years ago was all thinwall 4130.   Using a torch to weld 1/4" plate is a bit different. The largest tip I had was a #3, and a 4 or even a 5 would have worked better. I had to push the #3 with around 5-6 lbs of ox and ac. Had a hard time getting it hot enough.  Torch got sort of noisy and was pushing the puddle around some. I torch cut a  2x3 x .120 wall tube, and removed  a strip out of it to make a 1x3 tube, and welded a cap on one end. Then I welded it into a torch cut hole in a 6x6x.250 wall gate post. This will receive a sliding bolt to lock the gate.   Any info on why torch welding tips are so freaking expensive? I bought a whole victor set with regulators, handle, rosebud, cutting attachment, hose, etc and a welding tip for 280 bucks, and one welding tip from the LWS is $50?! Makes it sort of spendy to get set up for multiple thicknesses of metal! any tips on welding?! I can use 'em!
Reply:This is the best video I have seen on O/A. Same guy on O/A cutting. Check online for tips, I think you'll find them a little cheaper.
Reply:Thanks for the videos- they were really useful!
Reply:Check amazon for tips, I've bought off brand tips to fit my torch for sizes I don't need all the time, and they work fine.
Reply:Buy tips from http://www.weldingcity.com/They're fine and good quality. I have a drawer full.1/4" is #5 Victor(type) tip with RG45 x 3/32 stix.O2@15 Acet@6. Bevel 33% or so.Shine it up with a 60 grit flap wheel.Fuse(no filler) is the "root pass". Change direction and fill.Pull up a chair. It isn't fast by a long shot.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Interesting videos. Gracias. I always keep the 02 up because....well. I have a volume knob !Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Just put more torch time in and you'll get better.  As my favorite process, I wish OAW were cheaper too, the gas and the consumables.  Keep the tips clean, don't dip them in the puddle and don't go crazy with the cleaning tool and they should last a decent amount of time.  Also, don't let anyone borrow your torch handle, everyone always tightens the valves too much and they'll start to wander from the setting.You're almost better off with one size too big than two sizes too small.  Especially on thinner material, you'll wind up putting too much heat into it and the distortion will get pretty out of hand and you may even start popping the tack welds.  The puddle generally gets too big too because of the slower travel required.  Use the right size tip and filler rod and there's really not much to it.Weld sequence becomes way more critical as does tacking.  Set up welds out of square so the distortion pulls it back in.  At first it's a guessing game but will become second nature.  Try not to finish on the outside of a tubes corner or the thinner piece or be prepared to watch what you were trying to weld vaporize.  Learn to push, pull and all the positions.One thing I always do is a little practice on a similar piece to dial myself in before going to work.I also like to wear my welding glove on my wire hand and practice feeding the rod while sitting around if I haven't done GTAW or OAW in a little bit.Enjoy, good luck and go make something!
Reply:30 years ago??? Wow, since then oxy/propane has become more popular too.  I dumped my o/a for oxy/propane and have t looked back.  Acetylene is was an expen$ive hassle for me.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:did some steps to my house 40 + years ago. no tips big enough lot of reasons but had to weld about 6 ins. looked at my cutting tip played with it a bit. coat hanger and a few minutes later done. still using those steps today and havent touch that weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArc30 years ago??? Wow, since then oxy/propane has become more popular too.  I dumped my o/a for oxy/propane and have t looked back.  Acetylene is was an expen$ive hassle for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeHow much Oxy/Propane welding have you done?
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHa! My bad.  I looked at the picture again from the OP.  I see he DID weld with the o/a set up.   Originally, I glanced at his picture so fast that I was thinking he "CUT" off that piece of square metal, laying off to the right side of the picture and that was that.    I only had "cutting torch" on the brain, instead of o/a welding.  Looks like my ADHD kicked....OHHHH SHINY!!!    ...Oh and to answer your question, I've  "welded"  "thousands" of times with Oxy/Propane.   What,  you haven't learned the technique yet???  : :Look for my O/P welded trailer passing through your town, soon.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeThis is the best video I have seen on O/A. Same guy on O/A cutting. Check online for tips, I think you'll find them a little cheaper.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArc...Oh and to answer your question, I've  "welded"  "thousands" of times with Oxy/Propane.   What,  you haven't learned the technique yet???  : :Look for my O/P welded trailer passing through your town, soon.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThis is ridiculous....next you'll be telling us the Multiplaz is your best go-to machine  Or the "Atom Welding Machine"........
Reply:Here it is in completed form- gate post.
Reply:Looks good! That's at least as clean as the welds I see daily on the gates for multi-million dollar houses I work on. Definitely less spatter. Good job!