Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Tool Talk Discussion Forum

cutting torch vs plasma

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Dell (WA)

03-02-2008 00:05:41




Report to Moderator

Guys..... ..I need to cut a 1 x 4 hole in 1/4" steel plate and don't really wanna hacksaw it. Since I don't have a oxy-acetylene cutting torch I'm gonna haffta PAY for someone to do the cutting. The last acetylene cutting I had done, was very ROUGH and took much file and grinding to make acceptable. Trying to gitta handle on the COST of acetylene vs PLASMA cutting. Enny ideas???..... .TIA, Dell




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
dieselpup

03-03-2008 12:50:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
I"ve gotten along very well using cutting wheels on my angle grinder. Haven"t spent the cash to get a torch set yet since brother-in-law has one across the road. The wheels could get expensive if you are doing a lot of cutting but they are way faster than a hacksaw. I ran a cnc plasma cutter for a year or so and it would do a great job up to about 1" steel. Anything thicker than that we would have flame cut. 1/4" should be no problem for either process, you would be mostly paying for setup time.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dell (WA)

03-03-2008 00:16:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
Guys..... ...thanks for all the ideas and comments. Its a 1x4 INCH hole thru a 5x20" U-channel 3-in from open edge and centered lengthwize. Channel is semi-rusty and may end-up in a electo-derusto bath along with some very rusty BIG acme-thread screw adjusters. It also has a 2in crack that I need to stop-drill and "V" for welding.

I haddn't thought about "jig/saber sawing". Could be an alternative as I have both and room to operate...er...saw? But drillin' abunncha holes and hacksawing was my first idea and you guys did me better..... ...tnx, Dell

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jose bagge

03-02-2008 11:23:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
1st: with 1/4" i'd probably just whip out a sawzall or whiz wheel ( or a hole saw if round) and have a clean, clean hole. BUT...
plasma vs torch. I have both, and always seem to grab the torch. For a clean cut, I have a big peice of bar stock (1" thick, 3" wide, 20" long) that I use as a guide, and I hold it to the inside edge of whatever I'm cutting and pull along it as a straight edge. It must also work as a heat sink, because it always leaves a nice clean edge. You can pull a really straight line with a torch if you have a guide. Plasma is fine, but the material needs to be clean and can not be rusty- which eliminates most of the stuff I'm cutting! With the right tip, I've cut speaker holes in the rear window tray of cars with a torch...blown lugs off without damaging alloy wheels...It's my "go to" tool!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
mjbrown

03-02-2008 09:28:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
If this is a 1X4 INCH hole you'd have it done by now with a hack saw and oil. If 1X4 FEET, a plasma cutter is the way to go if you can find someone with one. You can make a plywood guide for the cutter.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob Huntress

03-02-2008 08:06:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
A Menninite friend of mine uses the core from flashlight batteries and an arc welder to cut holes in steel.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
504-2

03-02-2008 06:46:51




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
Dell, Around here it is 50.00 for a metal shop minimum, but a lot of small shops will do it for 10.00. Plasma is quicker and cleaner than a torch. It seems every shop around any more has a plasma cutter, ask around at the local coffee shop,maybe somebody will offer to do it for a cup! LOL



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
circus

03-02-2008 04:11:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
If this is a once a year need just drill two 1" holes and jigsaw between. A carbide burr in a $10 die grinder cleans it up in a jiffy.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Crem

03-02-2008 07:28:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to circus, 03-02-2008 04:11:12  
Circus, I think that I would go with your method and if it is a rectangular hole, drill a hole in each corner and use a sabre saw. It may take a blade or two and a little effort but the time and gas used to find someone to do it is also a consideration. If the going gets too hard it can always be taken to someone.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob

03-02-2008 03:56:53




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
I have a simple (and out of date) Century 60 Amp plasma cutter, and it could cut the hole you need with very little heat distortion, and pretty nice edges in probably less than a minute.

It wold be "child's play" for a pro to do it with even better equipment.

I would either clamp a straight edge to the work, and move it 4 times, or make a wooden pattern of the rectangular box, 1/2" larger in each direction, to allow for the offset between the cutting guide and the center of the tip.

Either way, nothing to it, QUICK, and nice results.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
MarkB_MI

03-02-2008 03:47:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
Dell,

EVERYBODY who does any kind of wrenching should own an acetylene torch. Once you have it, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it. Not only for cutting, but brazing, welding and (most importantly) heating up stuff that won't come apart.

There a torch that's been out for many years called the Henrob. It will cut steel just as clean as a plasma cutter. The main reason flame-cut steel is rough is that the preheat orifices re-heat the steel after it's been cut. The Henrob is directional: the preheat orifice is ahead of the O2 orifice.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
benny2

03-02-2008 01:10:28




Report to Moderator
 If cutting steel Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  

If cutting steel with OX/AC the torch tip is clean and set right the operator knows whats going on the burn should be nearly as clean as a machine cut.

Rusty, painted or dirty metal cuts bad though. But even then a good operator can do a decent job. If you are looking for a machined like surface that can only be done on a milling machine. Find a machine shop. Or finished with a file. The problem there, is that OX/AC hardens the metal by inducing carbon into the burn. Effectively case hardening the material!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob Huntress

03-02-2008 00:13:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: cutting torch vs plasma in reply to Dell (WA), 03-02-2008 00:05:41  
If all you're doing with the torch is cutting, I use propane to cut the cost, as well as the steel.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy