Miller absorbtion of the Smith Equipment line

[Aerometalworker]

Devcon plastic welder. Use it all the time for situations like yours, and have for almost 20 years....

[Aerometalworker]

I did NOT go crazy

[Aerometalworker]

Yes I saw it there. I was thinking of a display of oxyfuel equipment that is actually geared towards aviation. Thats what seems to be lacking somewhat and I think could be a real hit. Not much use for a cutting torch in aviation unless your in the bone yard....

[Aerometalworker]

Thanks very much for the reply, it is greatly appreciated!! Good to hear that the only change is going to be a name. Who would be a good contact to maybe put together a promotional display for the smith/miller torch line (aviation specific) at EAA oshkosh for 2014? Feel free to PM the reply if you wish....

[Aerometalworker]

Interesting that there has not been a single response from Miller yet. Is this forum even monitored anymore? We used to be able to get a response within 24-48 hours ususally. At least a note saying that they are getting the answers would be nice.

[Aerometalworker]

I guess my concern was more in the area of marketing and product development in the less than main stream models. Hoping to get a response here from Miller.

[Aerometalworker]

After hearing that Miller has absorbed the Smith line under their brand, a couple questions have come to my mind as a user and promoter of Smith products.

1) Will any current smith products be dropped?
2) Will any be added ( i.e. the even size welding tips )
3) Will Smith...

[Aerometalworker]

Sjorlin,
You have gotten good advise already, however I will add some points. Since you are new to the process I will assume you know diddly about it. Off the top of my head I can only think of one author that ever made a stink about copper coating on filler rods, and that was Richard Finch....

[Aerometalworker]

Yes....there is that much to it. You cant just look at the manifold as a seperate unit, it is part of an entire system that includes valve lift profiles, combustion, etc etc.. There are lots of good texts on the subject that will get you 80% of the way there, the other 20% comes from experience....

[Aerometalworker]

A victor 000 is way too small for the 16ga ( .050 ) aluminum, go back to the 0. Give yourself a good quiet flame with an inner cone length about 3/16-1/4". Yes its fast, you should make tack welds in just a few seconds. 1/16" filler is as small as I would go for what you are doing, tru 3/32...

[Aerometalworker]

Just caught this thread, how goes the welding? If you havent figured it out, the flux is mixed with water to a thin paste. There are no acids in the flux, its just a combination of varous metallic salts. No aluminum flux ever contained "acids".

[Aerometalworker]

Thanks!
When teaching students I have found that a written "checklist" for a procedure can mentally prepare someone for a given task. Sometimes too much detail can bog down the process and should be left to after the person is at least versed on the basics. Hope this helps the OP!...

[Aerometalworker]

Ahhhhhhh wrong......


Anyway the key to ferro/nickel alloys is technique. The torch does not circle or have any pattern.

1-Flux the parts and rod.
2-Use a tip the same size, or 1 smaller than you would for steel.
3-Neutral to a 1x reducing flame....

[Aerometalworker]

For that Smith an AC309 would be the current cutting head, it uses the same tips as the medium duty.

[Aerometalworker]

Unfortunately you then lose the advantage of the older torch, i.e. it being small. If you want a clunker get the later model cutting head. The old Smith and other brand aircraft size torches had a beautiful little cutting head, great for delicate cutting on thin material in tight places.