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Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best?

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Ebbsspeed

07-03-2007 12:22:01




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I've got some brackets I need to make, and have for years used soapstone to mark the outline of what I need to cut, but sometimes that is kind of hard to see. My age, maybe? What do you folks use that makes a nice visible line that is easy to see through the goggles? Thanks!




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Mechanical Mike

07-05-2007 06:09:59




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
I use a razor Knife to score the metal.



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`Bernie in MA

07-04-2007 10:04:09




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
Sharpie makes a felt marker called Metallic Silver that works good. I got mine at Wal-mart.



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135 Fan

07-03-2007 18:17:02




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
Silver streak is kind of a silver soapstone that works OK. The center punch technique works but takes a little while on a bigger cut. If I'm doing some more precise cutting, I'll use a guide clamped on the plate for straight lines and for shapes I'll take a flap wheel or sanding disc and clean the the steel off so it's shiny with no mill scale or black covering on it. Then I'll just use a soapstone. One trick I've found that helps the soapstone mark to stay on is to run your torch over the line before you cut it. For some reason the mark doesn't get brushed off as easy. Always make sure you're in a real comfortable position and that you can move the torch so it doesn't get caught up on anything as you progress down your line. Also always have a tip cleaner handy. Makes a huge difference but only put the tip cleaner in once or twice at the most or it can make your cutting hole (especially) out of round. Dave

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TomTex

07-03-2007 16:49:23




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
I am also getting on in years and had tried everything, until I found the perfect marker. Got them at Lowes, silver colored felt marker. It is really brightly visable during cutting. Tom



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Farmall MD

07-03-2007 15:54:13




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
I forgot to tell you another meathod in my first reply. Get yourself a good piece of angle, or something straight(at least 1/2" thick if you use flat bar) and clamp it to your steel and drag the torch tip along the straight edge. That's usually what I'll do if I don't feel like seting up the track burner.

On your first cut just make a little notch with the torch and then measure to make sure your on the money, then cut away. Each tip is different in the way it cuts, but usually 1/32" off the middle oxy hole will get you right on. Doug N

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Weldin man

07-03-2007 15:10:33




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
Been in this business over 30 years. If I need to cut something really precision by hand, I mark it with a sharp soapstone, then center punch the line about every 1/8 in. Then all you do is connect the dots.



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Farmall MD

07-03-2007 15:48:34




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Weldin man, 07-03-2007 15:10:33  
That's good weldin man, never heard or seen that one before. Doug N



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Farmall MD

07-03-2007 14:25:04




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  
Ebbsspeed, I've been a welder, fabricator all my life. Soapstone don't cut it for me much anymore either. Check with your local steel shops, or welder supply stores, they have white and yellow felt tip markers. They are paint markers, and have a little ball inside to shake and mix it. When new, you'll have to shake it up and then you push down on the spring loaded tip and it soaks it with paint. When the mark starts to get light, just shake it up and push down on the tip again and you're ready to roll.

They're one of the only things that hold up to the flame and not mess with the flame. If they mark too wide for ya, just pick a side of the line and roll with that(if it's that critical). 99% of the time I'm able to use our shear, or the track burner. It's rare I free hand cut, but when I do, I like to see the line:>) Doug N

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bva

07-03-2007 12:30:04




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 Re: Marking metal for cutting with torch, what works best? in reply to Ebbsspeed, 07-03-2007 12:22:01  

white-out markers work good for us older folks.



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