Acetylene Cutting Question

admin

It has been a bit since I last used my acetylene torch for any "precision" cutting.  I do not have a plasma.  I was trying to cut some 1/4 inch plate today and was not happy with the results.  It just was not as clean a cut as I remember being able to do in years past.  Yes I am older and my hands are not as steady but it just seems lower quality than I have done before.  These were cut freehand.  The tip had been recently cleaned. Any comments on improving the quality of the cut?Thanks
Reply:The cut looks clean, just rough  I can relate to the 'older' statement  as well.Try using a straightedge, a heavy peice of flatbar or something similar,  to run your torch against. I use a piece of 3 x1 flatbar a couple of feet long....Mike
Reply:I am in the same boat, hand not steady anymore. I use some 1" angle iron and put a small hose clamp on the torch tip. Let the clamp ride on the top leg of the angle iron to give your torch the proper height and then just slide it along the angle iron for a straighter cut. Works pretty good for me.miller... 225g, s32p, 250x, 304, 12vs, MSW41     victor o/a thermal dynamics cutmaster 50 lenco panel spotter        hobart hf-boxG3 Farms.....raising cattle, hay, kids and hell, ...oh yeah I'm a fire sprinkler contractor by trade.
Reply:You have to work on keeping your torch steadt and the travel speed consistent. As has been said many times practice. Astraight-edge or cutting guide will help also
Reply:Thanks for the ideas on the standoff clamp from the "straight edge"  I will have to try that.  I have never liked the blowback on the guide bit the standoff may resolve that.