Parts of a Torch Flame!

135 Fan, Dave:

Am I correct in saying I noticed you wrote several messages describing the parts of the torch flame and the importance?

I recall learning about using the welding torch, in which it is most commonly used for cutting!

There is the oxiding flame, neutral flame and the length of the feather determines the amount of heat!

A welding torch only has 1 flame. A cutting torch has a center oxygen jet and 1 to 6 preheat holes.

There are 3 basic flames, oxidizing, neutral and carburizing. The carburizing is the only one that has an outer feather around the inner flame cone. Depending on the application, the feather is adjusted. The feather does give an indication to the temperature though. An oxidizing flame is the hottest at 6300F. The neutral is around 5750F and the carburizing varies around 5300F depending. For welding you need a neutral flame and acetyelene is the only fuel gas that will give a neutral flame(equal parts O2 and Acet.)If you don't have a neutral flame for welding, you won't have a sound weld. Dave

Another nobleman heard from. On a subject about which he can only speculate, having no practical knowledge or experience.

I did hear that Pete Postlethwaite passed away. Are the Hebblethwaites and Postlethwaites related in any way? Even if just as "partners in stuffiness"? And why is a person of such stature allowing himself to be addressed as "Pete"? Perhaps an effort to endear himself to the proletariate?

Just askin', ya unnerstan. . .

Sorry 135fan but your wrong this time. There are 3 flame types . Neutral, Oxidizing, and Carbonizing flames. The flame on a cutting torch is an Oxidizing flame and the center orifice blows additional oxygen to both oxidize and blow out the molten material. The three flames of the welding torch are used for different types of welding and brazing on different base materials. For instance if your going to braze steel or iron you use s carbonizing flame which is a soft flame with just a feather of light blue around it.If it had orange your just a tad too rich. This gives you a more even heat throughout the material and the extra gas acts like an inert and reduces the oxygenation of the molten brass as it makes the molecular bond with the Ferris base. It also allows a slower cooling of the base therefore reducing possible distortion and cracking of cast pieces.
The neutral flame is used for precise welding of materials and restricts the heat spread through the peace thus reducing again the potential for distortion. The oxidizing flame actually has almost no use other than cutting. I have used it to carefully remove
sloppy braising or clean off other contaminates from surfaces. Hope this helps. LarryT

I am sure others reading this Forum will be much more knowledgeable with this information.

I know myself with this knowledge I would be able to make EMERGENCY repairs when electric welding would NOT be AVAILABLE.

Gramps told me, back in the 70's when an Ice-Storm took out his hydro, he had to be INNOVATIVE with his cutting torch to do some emergency welding!

Listening to Gramp's Stories gives me so much INSPIRATION, that I like to share some of his experiences/stories, which ever they may be!

You need a carbonizing flame to weld saw blades. Also to weld aluminum with the torch.

I said for welding steel (as in mild steel) you need a neutral flame. I also said the feather, as in a carbonizing/carburizing/reducing flame, is adjusted depending on the application. O/A welding of saw blades and aluminum aren't very common practices. Dave

It won't let me post a longer response.

An O/A cutting torch does not rely on an oxidizing flame. The cutting jet is completely independant of the preheat flames. As long as the steel is hot enough it doesn't matter what kind of flame is used. A neutral flame will give the highest quality cut though. For welding mild steel, a neutral flame is the only one that won't allow impurities in the weld. All my O/A welding and brazing tests on both steel and cast iron were done with a neutral flame. They all passed. Cast should be preheated. The type of flame has nothing to do with distrotion or the cooling rate after the piece is finished. There are several options to slow the cooling rate though. Dave