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Newbie cutting torch question (it’s Tuesday)

WoodburyZuk

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2021
Member Number
3939
Messages
255
I have this cutting torch, with Smith’s tips and torch accessories. I inherited it from my grandfather who’s long since passed. One tip says SC10-4 and another one says SC12-00. I googled some charts and it’s all Greek to me, obviously it hs to do with the thickness it can cut, the width of the cut, and how much oxygen gets introduced (among other things).

I can get the tip right as far as the oxygen and acetylene, (4 nice short blue flames) but when I squeeze the “trigger” it just flames up a lot and gets longer and less blue- doesn’t actually turn into a “cutting tip” if that makes sense…

Is the stuff just old and needs cleaning? Do I need to adjust the regulator. I’m lost. I’ll try to get a video later.
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bgaidan said:
What do you think the red zone means a gauge like that? :laughing:

Set that shit to 10-12 psi.
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That one is acetylene. I feel like I am not understanding how all this works. It was always my understanding that it pumps more oxygen in when I want to “blast” through the cut.

Sorry. I don’t know any of the correct terminology
 
Is there still a rubber o ring in the torch head where the tip goes? Do you adjust the flame with the oxy knob in the middle of the handle or at the end? End oxy knob gets opened up pretty far and you adjust the flame with the one in the middle. Is the center hole in tip open? Should be able to see through it When you press the handle without the flame lit you should get a stream of oxy through the center hole
 
The Chinese victor torch copies are tougher and more forgiving than a smith. Cheaper tips also
 
70 tp said:
Is there still a rubber o ring in the torch head where the tip goes? Do you adjust the flame with the oxy knob in the middle of the handle or at the end? End oxy knob gets opened up pretty far and you adjust the flame with the one in the middle. Is the center hole in tip open? Should be able to see through it When you press the handle without the flame lit you should get a stream of oxy through the center hole
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All good points. I’ll check and report back.
 
I hate smith torch’s. I’m a victor heavy duty type guy:smokin:.

Acetelyne at 8-9 oxygen at 35ish. Right knob on bottom of handle all the way open. Left knob crack and get a little more than the sooty black smoke. Crack the top valve until it you get the blue cone. May have to add a little more acetelyne in the process. It should stay lit when you hit the tigger for the oxygen blast.
 
See the flames coming out of where the tip goes into the torch 😳

I’m getting somewhere.

Couldn’t see an o ring inside…
 
There is a new torch on amazon. $50. You’ll have that in a new Smith tip and some o rings to go with it. The victor style doesn’t have o rings in the head. Flames up by the tip nut is not good. A handle backfire will probably be next. You will remember that. It will take out the hoses and regulators also and burn your hands before you can drop the torch. And the acetylene bottle will be on fire. Smith torch is ok if you know how to use them and only cut clean materials . Not to learn on . Keep the gauges out of the red.
 
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So y’all can see that .25 wall 2x4 rectangular tubing in the background.

You’d recommend using the 4 tip?
 
If I’m not mistaken, a #1 tip will do 1” thick steel
 
70 tp said:
There is a new torch on amazon. $50. You’ll have that in a new Smith tip and some o rings to go with it. The victor style doesn’t have o rings in the head. Flames up by the tip nut is not good. A handle backfire will probably be next. You will remember that. It will take out the hoses and regulators also and burn your hands before you can drop the torch. And the acetylene bottle will be on fire. Smith torch is ok if you know how to use them and only cut clean materials . Not to learn on . Keep the gauges out of the red.
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Please post a link of the $50 torch.
thanks
 
Just type in metal cutting torch on amazon and scroll a bit. Lots of choices. I like the victor style ones. They are tough and tips are available easily. There are some with a heating tip also for that much. I found that anytime a smith tip gets hot enough to burn the head o ring out, then that tip is dead. New tip and o ring and be good to go. If it ever pops back and squeals from the head, then at least the o ring is gone. It’s a special hi temp o ring. Dark grey colored if I remember correctly. Victor style has just tapered surfaces that seal. Hope this helps. Or try victor cutting torch on amazon.
 
Before you blow yourself up and not have a shop left to use.

Go on YouTube and learn how to set up your torches properly.

100% get fucking flash back arrestors when using acetylene.

Yes you use broach tip cleaners to clean the soot out.


Going above 15 psi on acetylene makes it unstable hence the red do not go higher than 15 zone.


Good luck.
 
Ps make sure you soap spray your connections for leaks. Guy at work blew up his balls in a giant oxygen kaboom with a leaky oxy hose.
 
Winchested said:
Ps make sure you soap spray your connections for leaks. Guy at work blew up his balls in a giant oxygen kaboom with a leaky oxy hose.
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How do you blow yourself up with oxygen? :homer:. Unless your shooting it at a pail of oil oxygen is hard to light:lmao:
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
How do you blow yourself up with oxygen? :homer:. Unless your shooting it at a pail of oil oxygen is hard to light:lmao:
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Greasy balls?:lmao:


OP
Tip charts are not that hard to read and get you in the right range. Just focus on Tip Size, Oxy., and Acetylene settings, since you only have a couple of tip sizes just match up the pressures listed for the tip. That #4 tip is a big boy, unless you are making a killdozer it will be a bit much.

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That leaky tip or the whole rig need to be out of service until you fix it. There is a whole fuck ton of energy in those bottles and I don't think it is being respected.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
How do you blow yourself up with oxygen? :homer:. Unless your shooting it at a pail of oil oxygen is hard to light:lmao:
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Torch was in use. Hose had a hole in it. Sitting down while torching ball area accumulated a ton of oxy. Kaboom fire ball on the balls. Burnt through his pants instantly and gave him second degree burns.

I work in a shitty greasy steel mill.
 
MigGunslinger said:
That leaky tip or the whole rig need to be out of service until you fix it. There is a whole fuck ton of energy in those bottles and I don't think it is being respected.
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My last boss picked up a couple used torch sets from an auction. Regulators were bad. I turned the oxygen on, and it straightened out the torch hoses and blew a hole out the side of the hose:laughing: It was impressive
 
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