Editing How to cut steel with a torch safely

==Introduction== There are MANY things to take into consideration, before you are ready to open the bottles & strike the flame. Please read & understand all that is said here. If there is something that is unclear in the writing or your understanding please ask your question @ www.hotrodders.com. ==Equipment needed:== Oxygen bottle Acetylene bottle Torch cart with safety chains flame arrestors Hoses Torch cutting head Fire extinguisher Burning goggles Welding clothes Welding gloves Leather boots Tip cleaner Torch wrench ==Examples== For the 1st example will be cutting a exhaust system off a car on a lift in a professional environment. 100% steel like on older cars (newer cars have a stainless compound that make it difficult to cut with a torch). Move the torch cart to the work area make sure the work area is clean of debris & anything you can slip ,trip or stumble on. Inspect the vehicle's fuel lines making absolutely sure you know where they are & they are in no way damaged. If they are damaged properly repair the fuel lines before using torches. Suit up from head to toes, you should be covered. You also want to keep your body hydrated if you will be suited up for a long period of time. Before you put your head gear on, uncoil your hoses. Look around you make sure that there are no potential flammable objects. It is also good to let your workmates know what you are doing so they do not create a situation that would be undesirable & irreversible (example: the person in the next bay removing, dropping & spilling a fuel tank while you are cutting). Open the valves on the bottles very slowly, one @ a time. Opening them too fast can & will cause damage to the diaphragm in the regulator. The high pressure gage indicator needle should rise very slowly & then the low pressure gage indicator needle will follow. Open the oxygen bottle all the way, the same for the acetylene. THESE VALVES ARE DESIGNED TO BE OPENED OR SHUT, NOT ANY WHERE IN BETWEEN. This stuff is also VERY explosive! Please read [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/using-oxy-acetylene-109669.html?highlight=oxy+acetylene Using Oxy/Acetylene] thread on HR.com. Some people will say: "If there is a explosion I want to be able to turn them off quick" This is a false dangerous way of thinking. If there is a explosion 99% of the time there will be no time to turn them off. Make sure you know where all fire extinguishers are located. You should have one ready in your work area. It is common to have at least a 2.5 gallon air over water extinguisher when cutting frequently in unpredictable areas. Completely suited up (if you have a complete welding suit), if not, wear good boots, good jeans, not torn or ripped, welding sleeves, welding gloves, burning goggles, and protective head wear. In some situations a respirator could be necessary. Plan your actions, then fire up the torch, oxygen then acetylene. ==Setting the cutting torch== Turn on (just crack open) the oxygen (green hose), turn on (just crack open) the acetylene (red hose). Spark the gases with the striker. Mix until the flame until it is making a sharp cones but not roaring. Too much oxygen cools the metal and makes cutting difficult. Bring tip up to metal slowly move the tip around to get heat into the metal. When the metal turns bright fire red and starts to sparkle, then lever in some oxygen. What you are looking to do is to melt and blow the molten metal out of the way. Now looking at the pipe long ways, start at the top leaving just the very top in place and cut down wards. If you can, move to the other side and cut the remaining pipe from top to bottom. If you are unable to get around to the other side cut enough pipe out of the side closest to you to allow the torch head to fit inside, allowing room to reach the other side of the pipe. Be sure not to let the pipe cut your hose or fall on your legs or feet. Be careful not to cut into anything that is not the pipe. Be very careful to watch where you aim your sparks. When done cutting turn off acetylene first, then the oxygen. Make sure tip is cooled before rolling up the hose. Turn off bottles and make sure there are no fires or hot metal when you leave the area. [[Category:Tools]] [[Category:Garage and shop]]

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