Topic: O-A Cutting -NEW: Stick cutting electrode?

[CTENG in KS]

I have been considering getting a small set of bottles and a torch kit for OA cutting...I'm tired of cutting patterns with grinder.  Where is the best/easiest place to get the bottles filled.  I looked in the yellow pages and don't seem to have a welding supply place real close to me, but I may be wrong.  So where is the best place to go?


Edit:  any chance tractor supply can fill bottles??  I have one right around the corner.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

And how long does a bottle like this last?  It is 10 cube Acet., 20 cube oxy set up:

[79coyotefrg]

look around at farm supply stores,  if they dont have them they will know where

[79coyotefrg]

those  are good  for repair jobs, 

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Repair jobs?

I was just wondering if I would be able to cut brackets out of some 1/8 inch plate without refilling after a couple brackets.  Would these last me through a weekend of work?

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

OK, So I have been reading a bit and it might be more cost effective and efficient to go with a small arc welder and 1/8 cutting rods.  Has anyone ever used any of these, especially the newer ones that seem to be in the latest articles that are getting good reviews?  Will they be good for 1/8 to 1/4" cutting of contoured brackets?  I understand of course that there will be grinding to clean up the edges, but I am looking for a quick cut to get general shape.

Thnx

[KYOTA]

OK, So I have been reading a bit and it might be more cost effective and efficient to go with a small arc welder and 1/8 cutting rods.  Has anyone ever used any of these, especially the newer ones that seem to be in the latest articles that are getting good reviews?  Will they be good for 1/8 to 1/4" cutting of contoured brackets?  I understand of course that there will be grinding to clean up the edges, but I am looking for a quick cut to get general shape.

Thnx

air arc, they are mainly used for scarfing out welds andyou have to have a compressor to feed air to the stinger to blow out the slag. I've never seen "a small welder" that you could use air arc with, usually big machines that can cut alot and they take ALOT of juice to use . Get a torch, but I wouldnt waste my time with that little back pack set, get something you can use and wont want to get rid of when you wished you got something bigger to begin with.

[IronClad]

those little bottles would be cool for the trail and such.. but if you are gonna fab you need to get big bottles. those little bottles wouldnt last a full day.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

air arc, they are mainly used for scarfing out welds andyou have to have a compressor to feed air to the stinger to blow out the slag. I've never seen "a small welder" that you could use air arc with, usually big machines that can cut alot and they take ALOT of juice to use . Get a torch, but I wouldnt waste my time with that little back pack set, get something you can use and wont want to get rid of when you wished you got something bigger to begin with.

Not air-arc...they are magnesium cutting rods...use in std arc machine...called Cronatron 1100 rod.

[IronClad]

its WAYYYY messy

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

or a rod like this...
http://www.engnetglobal.com/showcase/product.aspx/56

[Willy Mammoth]

The little bottles will work for small stuff, but if you want to cut off an IFS front or something you will go through a few bottles. AC refrigeration suppliers have that size tanks, but you would be better off with at least a B tank.

Remmember you can only use a % of the Acy over a set time or you will draw out the acitone which keeps the acy stable. With out the acitone and the core the Acy would be unstable and could explode.

A bigger tank will give you more time.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

My biggest issue is space.  I just don't have room for any large equipment, i.e. tanks, compressor.  I'd just like a good method of cutting curves and such, the grinder isn't great for compound shapes and it is dern loud.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Check out these videos...I want one of those too!
http://www.metaldevil.com/seeing.html

[Weldo]

An oxy-Acetylene setup is well worth the money.  When I got mine, I got the biggest bottles I could afford.  For the torch and regulators, buying a kit will usually save you a little money.  Also, remember you can use a torch to cut as well as heat and bend, weld, solder, and braze.  My torch was indespensible when I had to remove my T-case cross member.  Those bolts were stuck really, really tight, but a little heat got em out, no problem.