Thermal Lancing (yikes!!)

[stingray1]

Thanks to all for the education.

 

[mrmikey]

I prefer the ambient compressed air ones myself. No bottles to contend with, just the engine driven compressor. Pretty easy to build one actually and the lance rods are available at most LWS

Never seen those, I've only seen/used the ones that need oxygen. Any idea what keeps the fire going? I didn't think anything but pure Ox would keep a burn going like that.
I'v seen videos of them cutting casting risers using a long piece of 1/8 steel pipe thats heated to red and then fed oxygen thru it to keep it going but never just compressed air..............Mike

 

[gsganzer]

This video showed a good tip of first welding a slag deflector that also acted as the centering guide to help control the lance.

Thermal lance

 

[5030]

Never seen those, I've only seen/used the ones that need oxygen. Any idea what keeps the fire going? I didn't think anything but pure Ox would keep a burn going like that.
I'v seen videos of them cutting casting risers using a long piece of 1/8 steel pipe thats heated to red and then fed oxygen thru it to keep it going but never just compressed air..............Mike

The tubing is filled with phosphorus rods (just like a sparkler but bigger and longer) so just compressed air keeps the fire burning. We used a Joy engine driven screw copmpressor.

 

[5030]

The one we used for cutting bolster plats was basically just a pipe with a WOG valve on the holding end and a collet to take the tube with the rods inside and the rods we used were 5 feet long. You could cut a bolster plate like hot butter. Very dirty though. We lit ours off with a gas axe, not a battery.

 

[mrmikey]

The tubing is filled with phosphorus rods (just like a sparkler but bigger and longer) ........

OK thanks, didn't know there was such an option. Depending on the price of the rods compared to regular lancing rods, it'd probably be cheaper, the oxygen drains fast using that method.......Mike

 

[5030]

Oxygen drains fast, tanks frost up and regulators freeze too.

 

[denchen]

What about a completely different thinking. What about freezing the whole lot, long enough to cool the pin in the centre, then hit the outside with some heat followed by some serious pressure or sod off hammers. Just thinking, it must have gone together, surely it should come apart.

 

[ray66v]

A pneumatic chipping hammer with a blunt bit, is good for removing king pins.

It's like a hand held jack hammer.

Check for a local pneumatic tool repair shop to see if they have a used one you can rent.

I would apply heat first.

For get the oil, it's not going to do a thing.

 

[Richard]

Good ideas!!!

Looking at the chipping hammer.... Might I presume that my little 20 (or was it 25) gallon Campbell Hausfield compressor would either be "totally insufficient" or, only sufficient for about 3 seconds of operation? (I presume this thing uses a decent amount of air??)

One thing I appreciate is, when I began this process...I really didn't have a "Plan B". Was forced to figure out a plan B, C, D... and was thinking that lancing it was my next (last) option....and now, I see this chipping hammer.

I'll have to find one.

I really want the lance thing to be my LAST option.

I appreciate all the ideas.

As for putting oil on it.... I'm going to have to agree as thus far, it's not done squat but waste the oil.

 

[5030]

Too bad you don't live closer, I have an Ingersoll-Rand jack hammer with assorted chisels and arbors but you little compressor won't run it. Takes 45 minimum CFM at 175 psi to operate it.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[ray66v]

Yes, ideally if you have a 60 gallon tank, 1/2" hose and high volume couplings. You would have you enough oomph to do this job.

A 25 gallon tank, with the usual 3/8" hose and 1/4" couplings will greatly reduce the effectiveness. But, is not necessarily a deal breaker.

You could help yourself greatly by using a real short hose, in that case.

You may be able to borrow a short hose, and fittings with the chipper.

Industrial tools commonly have a "whip hose" attached to them.

If the chipper has a 3' to 6' whip on it, you can just plumb the end of it right into your compressor.

 

[denchen]

If you can get at both ends, a plate top and bottom, with a tube or washers for the pin to go, and a `stud` the other end to push, and as many threaded bars as you can get around, and you`ll really get some push on. When every `nut` is tight an encouraging whack with a hammer, or a tad of heat or both and things should get moving. Good luck.