need some basic cutting advice????????

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ive used torches before. however they were always set up for me. i need to know the basics. what to set the regulators at? how should the flame look? i need basic cutting advice  I dont wanna blow myself up but i wanna make good fast cuts. please help
Reply:I have my acetaline set at 8psi, and my oxygen at 18psi. I usually use my setup for a rosebud for heating, but when I cut with it, I just fine tune the flame. I get it hot, but neutral, a bit on the rich side(Almost sooty, but clean running) and after the part is red, I get a good cut.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Indiana,There is  a good thread already for you to read, complete with pictures and a goodly amount of debate with some resolution just waiting for you to read here: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...orch+pressuresEsab 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:thanks
Reply:well when i was in school  the acetelene/propelene was at 10 oxygen at 30 but dont above 15lbs the gas becomes unstable and u are an accident waiting to happen go to a small shop and ask some questions maybe you might even get a hack at it the trick is get comfortable and be constant of your surroundings slag and sparks fly eveywhere ive started a few trash cans on fire and its no fun
Reply:Originally Posted by mn welderwell when i was in school  the acetelene/propelene was at 10 oxygen at 30 but dont above 15lbs the gas becomes unstable and u are an accident waiting to happen go to a small shop and ask some questions maybe you might even get a hack at it the trick is get comfortable and be constant of your surroundings slag and sparks fly eveywhere ive started a few trash cans on fire and its no fun
Reply:You want to have the O2 on the torch handle full open and adjust the flame with the cutting knob. You want a blue flame with a small tight set of cones with no feather. When you squeeze the cutting handle the flame should change slightly and you should hear the hiss for cutting. (that's why the torch handle (next to the acet) O2 is wide open, so you get max O2 when you cut) I see a lot of guys adj the flame at the torch handle and then wonder why they can't cut well.Not the best description, but I hope it helped some.
Reply:And dont use your lap as a cutting table. Just saying....
Reply:thank you very good advice tomorrow im gonna do some cuttin....
Reply:For the stuff I've cut - up to 1/2", I'm usually around 3-5 on the acetylene & anywhere from 15-40 on the oxygen (depends on thickness of metal).I think the Victor (Thermadyne) website has some good info -Miller Dynasty 200DXHypertherm PowerMax 45Victor OAIR CompressorLots of blacksmithing tools and other fun toys meant to creatively disfigure, reshape, manipulate and join metal.
Reply:I didn't notice anyone mention that he should be using a tip which is appropriate for the thickness of the metal. My Harris has sizes from # 3/0 (for up to 3/16" thick) to #4  (for 5---6" thick) with oxygen pressures varying greatly and some variation in gas pressure too. Using a #3 on 3/8" is sloppy and inefficient, but 'possible'.After opening the handle O2 valve all the way as described above, open the gas valve and light the flame; adjust the gas so the flame is stable and will just jump off the tip a bit with a little movement of the torch, then adjust the preheat O2 valve to get the ~neutral flame as DSW said above. Hitting the cut O2 valve should not change the outer flame appearance.
Reply:Good catch OI Certainly use the appropriate tip size for the job, and the corresponding O2/acetylene pressures for tip and material thickness.Miller Dynasty 200DXHypertherm PowerMax 45Victor OAIR CompressorLots of blacksmithing tools and other fun toys meant to creatively disfigure, reshape, manipulate and join metal.
Reply:awesome great info thanks!