Thread: Plasma cutting capacity or waterjet cutting connections?

Originally Posted by Karl Robbers

The kit I have is my old comet 3 Oxy Acetytlene gear with a Tesuco brand LPG regulator. Tips are type 44, once again made by Tesuco, (Tesuco are a South African manufacturer and their prices are around 50-60% of the comparable Cigweld gear). I haven't really geared up in the brazing side of things at this point due to no use for it at present, but type 544 blowpipes are available to suit the standard comet mixer.
When running the superheating burners, you need a 13mm mixer, suitable barrel and of course the burner in your chosen size to screw on the end. Technically, you are meant to replace your hoses as the petroleum can cause your acetylene hoses to break down over an extended period. The advice I was given was that if your hoses were in decent condition to just run them as external damage will usually kill your hoses before the internal breakdown will, so that is what I have done.
Early days yet, but at this point, I would say that the 9kg LPG/G size oxygen seem well matched.
One final point. You use dufferent tip cleaners for oxy LPG due to the slotted design of the preheat gas holes.
It truly amazes me that more engineering companies have not adopted Oxy LPG, particularly with the price of Acetylene as it is.

Thanks Karl,
Just like you and Peter i have a Comet 3 so i will look into a reg and tips. I see some regs on ebay, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LPG-REGUL...item4acf90d617
Where have you sourced the tips from?

Cheers,
Ew

I have been using OXY/LPG since 1991 and haven't found it restricting at all really (if you discount fusion welding).
As has been said the only real difference is the LPG regulator, hoses and tips.
I used to go through about 7 bottles of oxy to one barbie bottle of gas, which could be got on any day of the week at swap and go.
I think the oxy was an 'E' size.
Here is a pic of the trailer I fitted out for onsite work to gauge the oxy size.

Phil
Alex engineering tool Trailer (3).jpg

Aside from fusion welding (and I have a TIG) the main downside I've found to using LPG instead of acetylene is the lower heat when wanting to bend thick metal. You can bring the temperature up a lot quicker with oxy-acet than you can with oxy-LPG and that keeps the HAZ a fair bit smaller, plus the whole process is faster.

But for the price difference it's a pretty easy choice unless you really need the extra heat capacity of acetylene.

I haven't done any brazing for years and seeing as I got given a 15kg spool of silicon bronze MIG wire, may never do any again (not that I've tried it out, mind).

PDW

Thanks guys.

So let me get this straight. All I need to aquire to get into oxy LPG is to buy something like this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CIGWELD-W...item5aed86dc59

And then buy an oxy bottle and use the BBQ gas and I'm good to go?

Simon

Hi Simon,
Yep.

Phil

as an add to this post,try BMS in Campbellfield for a quote.They do oxy profile cutting and also water jet cutting.Alliance laser in Campbellfield can cut 16mm no probs and have a 12.00mtr x1.500mtr table. cheers Danny.

Thanks for all your contributions!
Our 1/2ton 20mm steel plate is now cut up and back in my shed
It was done by flame cutting on a rail mounted electric straightline oxy cutter. All up 9.3m cut at $150 for labour and gas. VERY clean cuts!

I have two of those electric oxy torchs that I got from Castlemain foundry no track though

Originally Posted by jhovel

Thanks for all your contributions!
Our 1/2ton 20mm steel plate is now cut up and back in my shed
It was done by flame cutting on a rail mounted electric straightline oxy cutter. All up 9.3m cut at $150 for labour and gas. VERY clean cuts!

That begs the question, what are you 2 making?

Ew

Originally Posted by jhovel

Thanks for all your contributions!
Our 1/2ton 20mm steel plate is now cut up and back in my shed
It was done by flame cutting on a rail mounted electric straightline oxy cutter. All up 9.3m cut at $150 for labour and gas. VERY clean cuts!

Originally Posted by Ueee

That begs the question, what are you 2 making?

Ew

a small armoured car?

Originally Posted by Ueee

That begs the question, what are you 2 making?

Ew

Ha!

Sheet metal folders... with attitude!
1250mm wide and hopefully 1.5mm (or more) capacity. I've been dicking about for a few months, slowly getting mine done and batteling to procure the required materials. Joe contacted me about 4 weeks ago saying he also wanted to build one. I think I have achieved more in 4 weeks than the previous 4 months! It's much easier to get the size plate (16mm, 20mm & 25mm plate) we need for two people and halving the cost each than going it alone! If you don't shop around and take advantage of bargains (in complete sheets) then the price of the steel gets right up there and soons becomes an expensive way to obtain a sheet folder!
Also I have been able to draw on Joes experience/knowledge since he has experience in using folders in the past. It's been great to be able to bounce ideas of someone who has used one.

So far it's working out quite well I must say.

Simon