flame vs rotary cut pipe bevel

[HayFarmer]

If only I new

Heres one thats current which was good enough for a chuckle -

brand knew welder - $1500
I have a miller 140v millamatic welder with auto darken snap on helmet paid 600 for the helmet I have all the lens everything works perfect and comes with gas...

[HayFarmer]

Hyundai. Ive also run Lincoln 5p which were terrible. They were difficult to restart and when you did most of the time the flux would pop off.

[HayFarmer]

At school we were using a portable bandsaw which was fast.

[HayFarmer]

First, thanks for all the replies!! Just to be clear my question is really not so much about flame cutting as it is why would you use a mechanical beveling machine (one w/ cutters) instead of flame or arc.

[HayFarmer]

OK, fair enough. Id still like to know why youd use a rotary machine to make a bevel. Thats my main interest....

[HayFarmer]

That a bunch of $ to tie up for the occasional use. Also seems a Bobcat should run one pretty easily.

For high yield strength pipe and the like it seems there would be some cause for concern. Welding parameters are strict (as I understand it) and flaming cutting may not be acceptable in...

[HayFarmer]

No idea...any I suppose....

[HayFarmer]

Any one???

[HayFarmer]

Why would one be preferred over the other? Rotary doesnt have a HAZ or require any (much?) cleanup but the equipment is very expense relative to flame bevelling. Im sure Im missing more important points.

[HayFarmer]

Same here. Wished I hadnt sold my TB302 when I sold the farm.

[HayFarmer]

The scenario youre describing sounds exactly like one that would (should!) have been tested during development. Ill be interested to see what Miller has to say. I asked some weeks ago about TB325 reliability and got a single problem report. Guess theyre too new to have much data.

[HayFarmer]

I was having a big problem w/ rust esp in the spring & summer when it was very hot/ humid. I couldnt take the wire back into the shop (below ground) b/c the large change in temp would cause condensation. I also couldnt leave it outside b/c at night condensation would be a problem. Even bringing...

[HayFarmer]

tackit
I think thats correct. Part of preheating is about driving off residual moisture.

Thanks for all the replies!

One thing not answered which I would still like to know is how you all handle large spools of wire that last for more than a couple weeks? Isnt rust...

[HayFarmer]

Intersting idea...how did that work? Have you ever pushed a foam plug into them for less noise (if it actually works that way)?

[HayFarmer]

Im drawing a blank on this but the answer has to be simple...for mobile welders how do you keep your supply of low H rods hot? Yes, I know w/ a rod oven but how is it powered in the field?

ETA: In fact do you keep your low H wire hot between jobs/overnight? This would serve 2 purposes...maintaining...