Finally bought my own O/A setup this AM :)

[turboglenn]

Glad to say i FINALLY bought myself an OA setup instead of having to go to my shop space (which is now closed up for bankruptcy - the shop i rented sace from, not me) SO i can't use theirs any more and the other one i can use is about 25 minutes away.. I got smaller tanks (Q & W maybe???) they are about the same size as an 80CF argon tank and one is shorter.

I have a new smith torch set with cutting, rosebud, and welding tips.. Flashback arrestors and a few other misc things with it.. I'm about to go open it up, put it together with my OA cart i've had in a box forever (x-mass gift that was wrong type..they just bought me a "welding cart" thinking it would fit my MIG)

Anyway, i'm off to cut metal

[Craig in Denver]

From 1977 til 1993, the only welding process I had was O/A. And it served me well. All manual processes depend on puddle control and O/A teaches it best. There's more to O/A than cutting.

[turboglenn]

Yea, I've got a LOT to learn about OA working. I have only ever used it to pre-heat, bend, and cut ferous steels. Other than those i really don't en have a clue. I tried welding 2 pieces of HR A36 1/4'' plate tonight but only had a coat ganger for torch rod LOL

I wan to learn to braze and weld with it, but it seems like there's a lot more to it than what i had thought...time to learn something new

[Craig in Denver]

1/4" is really too much for O/A. Class taught me that 3/16" is the practical limit. Can it be done? Sure, but you'll melt everything in the room.

I have no problem using coat hanger to weld. All, I'd add is this; some WON'T weld. If the one you picked, turns to slag; throw it away and try another. A little slag will float to the surface and won't matter. But a LOT of slag will NOT flow into the puddle. Learn to watch what's going on in the puddle. Your entire universe is 1" in diameter.

[Broccoli1]

Yea, I've got a LOT to learn about OA working. I have only ever used it to pre-heat, bend, and cut ferous steels. Other than those i really don't en have a clue. I tried welding 2 pieces of HR A36 1/4'' plate tonight but only had a coat ganger for torch rod LOL

I wan to learn to braze and weld with it, but it seems like there's a lot more to it than what i had thought...time to learn something new

Ya may wanna start with the Tip Chart- probably in the manual ya tossed on the floor

You do need to understand the withdrawl rates and limits of those small bottles.

[turboglenn]

Ya may wanna start with the Tip Chart- probably in the manual ya tossed on the floor

You do need to understand the withdrawl rates and limits of those small bottles.

I've studied the **** out of proper lighting, extinguishing, volume usuage and every other aspect of techniques for safety that are in my books and have back flow preventers and such as well.

I just need some tips on the actual welding and brazing.. my books go into VERY LITTle detail about either process, so i'm learngin as i go so to speak

I'm about to start searching forums and such, any tips off the top of any one's head??

[Broccoli1]

I've studied the **** out of proper lighting, extinguishing, volume usuage and every other aspect of techniques for safety that are in my books and have back flow preventers and such as well.

I just need some tips on the actual welding and brazing.. my books go into VERY LITTle detail about either process, so i'm learngin as i go so to speak

I'm about to start searching forums and such, any tips off the top of any one's head??

Tips for welding & Brazing: Use the correct Tip

What size Tip did the book say to use on 1/4"?
What is the CFH withdrawl of the Tip for 1/4"?
and what size tanks did you say you purchased?

[Craig in Denver]

TurboGlenn:
You weld alum and razorblades. I don't think I've used my O/A twice since I bought my Syncrowave. Brazing and cutting are good, though.

Lookie what I found:
http://mewelding.com/welding/?page_id=100

[paulrbrown]

Gonna get in trouble, but good example of Proper Torch Set Up