Making puddles; could use support

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I spent several hours today making puddles and moving them with the OA torch.If I use my left hand to support the handle, I get even, not rushed circles. Knowing that one day I'll use filler rods, I try for the same evenness using one hand. Not a lot of luck.Is there a trick to bracing the torch hand? - Mike
Reply:it takes alot of frustration and practice to get the hang of holding a oa torch steady. one thing you can do is rest your arm on your side to get the steadiness but you will lose range of motion with your arm.
Reply:Is there a trick to bracing the torch hand? - Mike
Reply:k.. extend your thumb and pointer finger all the way then put the torch through there (like holding a pencil)
Reply:do anyone here actually use o/a welding.we learnt it in school, but according to the teachers we will probably never use it
Reply:"do anyone here actually use o/a welding?Yes, I recently purchased a Smith O/A setup and have done a few repairs with it. I have started a spare tire mount for the trailer as well. Experimental aircraft builders and classic restoration uses O/A.Saving for a MIG.
Reply:Sort of. I hardly ever use my OA torch for welding, but it does a lot more than weld. Cutting, bending, brazing, 'persuading' rusted nuts, etc. Just last week I used mine to silver solder a dozen custom sized blades for my  vintage bandsaw. The week before used it with my BFH to flatten 1/4 plate. For most processes it can do there is a nicer tool, but this one is flexible enough to fill in the gaps, especially in a home shop.-David
Reply:I never really had a problem with this but ive always put the hoses over my shoulder, rested my elbow or arm on work surface and its been all good.
Reply:Originally Posted by triffid_98Sort of. I hardly ever use my OA torch for welding, but it does a lot more than weld. Cutting, bending, brazing, 'persuading' rusted nuts, etc. -David
Reply:i use o/a all the time for brazing and welding where electricity is scarce.  I asked an old pro once, "Don't you get better penetration with an arc welder than with a torch?"  he said, "Well, it sort of depends on the guy holding the torch."
Reply:mhorowitI used o/a weld a lot about 7 years ago.  I used it before I had  portable welders.  Nothing like showing up to do a repair on a 95 degree day to weld with a o/a torch all day long.  Those weld are still holding.  I now use the torch for brazing and heating.   I once saw a picture in an encyclopedia of the construction of the Panama Canal.  They only had o/a torches.  With huge acetylene generators.  Don't know where they got Oxygen.  I figured I could do a few repairs until generated enough money for something else.        I use a MECO Weldmaster torch.  It is pretty large.  I also have a small Harris torch.  The key for me was to find a balancing point for the large torch, then make adjsutments for comfort.  Also, try to stand upright rather than bending over.  Steady your body if possible, by putting a knee against the table.  I use crescent (moon)  movement rather than circles to move the puddle.    Putting the hose over your shoulder works to take weight off the torch, thus your hand.  Leaning an elbow on the table might inhibit your ability to complete a weld, without stopping to move.  Practice, practice practice.  Though it  sounds like comfort is your problem.  side note:Propane is cheaper, cleaner, and safer than acetylene.    Though if you torch cut you will need a propane tip.  Just something to think about.  Also, on Lincoln Electric website under education, there is a project for making a model airplane with pattern, check it out.
Reply:side note:Propane is cheaper, cleaner, and safer than acetylene.    Though if you torch cut you will need a propane tip.  Just something to think about.  Also, on Lincoln Electric website under education, there is a project for making a model airplane with pattern, check it out.
Reply:tap you never mislead me chris
Reply:Who are you working with to get properly trained by a seasoned welder with  that proccess ?
Reply:MhorowitI learned o/a welding at trade school.  Though, I do not think you need a seasoned welder in order to learn o/a welding.  I think you would be hard pressed to find a seasonded o/a welder outside of school and some hobbiest.  Some muffler shops still use o/a welding.  www.tinmantech.com sells videos.  I have a few old o/a welding manuals, I used them as references.  Burning rods is your best teacher.
Reply:I agree with you tap.  Whom ever this metal scupltor is he wrote about 7 replies ive seen and most of them he wrote something about a seasoned welder.  Well I  hate to break it but seaonsed dont mean squat.  Just get in there adn do it.  Very few guys out there really know the "right" way of doing it.  For most of them their methods work for what their doing and in the particualr area there in.   As Tap said though best advice to any new welder would be just get out there and start burning.  Even with a trained hand there advice and such only goes soo far.  Its like learning the piano.  Its good to get some tips pointers examples ect, but you just practice practice practice.CHRISLast edited by TxRedneck; 12-04-2005 at 11:28 PM.
Reply:just a hobbist and self taught ( very slow learner) just getting into tig now, can do a fair weld now with arc. I have had the o/a for a long time and just found out on this board that you could weld with it!! Here after all these years, of fooling with it I never even knew you could weld, I feel pretty stupid about that. talk about live and learn.
Reply:I do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ................I do not think you need ...................I do not think you need .....................I do not think you need ...............I do not think you need ..................I do not think you need ????????????????????????
Reply:Sculptor,you're not getting the message!   Are you ever going to contribute useful information?
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalSculptorI do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ..............I do not think you need ................I do not think you need ...................I do not think you need .....................I do not think you need ...............I do not think you need ..................I do not think you need ????????????????????????
Reply:Please make soon !!!