Need help bending 1" steel and torch tip size requirements

[MechanicalGuy]

Oxy/Acetylene. I've got plenty of experience heating and bending smaller steel, but this is a piece of 1" thick about 4" long in cross section and I can't put enough heat into it with a #2 cutting tip to get it glowing orange all the way around so I can bend it with a pipe wrench. Does anyone "know" what size or type of tip is needed for this application? I haven't tried a rosebud, I never have used a rosebud for bending steel, just a cutting tip. Normally I would just go a size bigger until I got what I needed, but this is at my FIL's farm and he doesn't have a plethora of supplies to try out. We'll probably have to buy something special for this job.

I'm able to get one side started to glow orange with my #2, but it isn't a really good glow, so I'm thinking the tip is just too small.

Advice appreciated.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Well, nevermind. A chain ratchet and some heat from the #2 tip was enough. I really didn’t think it would be.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Glad you had success.

Just as some on this forum have pallet forks on their FEL more than a bucket, I have a rosebud on my torch more than a cutting tip. (I'm a kind of "Heat it and beat it" guy.). Investigate the specs on a rosebud to see if the gas consumption, which should be an indicator of heat production, is greater for a rosebud or your No.2 cutting head.

 

[denchen]

How about a few old bricks, and a bag of barbeque charcoal. A little air or a help from the gas torch when its hot, Might save buying something your never going to use again.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

Not sure how one goes without a rosebud.

 

[Smokeydog]

Rosebud is sized according to your bottle size. Without knowing your bottle size no one should recommend a tip. There’s a time factor too. They take a lot of gas. Too big a tip can easily draw more acetylene that can come out of acetone solution and media in the tank. Then acetone gets entrained. Causing all kinds of safety issues and damage to your equipment. See #12 rosebuds being sold beside small tanks at TSC. Accident ready to happen. Use to they sold big bottles not much anymore. Enough people will get hurt and the government will take them away from most everyone.

 

[ArlyA]

Lots of correct responses here. When I was in the RR car twisting buz, we connected two tanks together to get enough acetylene for the tips. If it was me bending that 1" plate, I'd notch a V out of it with a band saw, then weld it after it was bent. Takes less time and 1/4 of the heat. With a hand held band saw, I just about notch everything I am bending.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

I used a pipe bender, and it worked really well. I think you should try this option and not worry about it. I am more than confident that it will prove to be an effective tool for you because I often use it for urgent needs.
If you've never used it before, then don't be afraid because there's nothing easier to manage. You will definitely be able to handle this case and have success.
Even my little brother uses this tool, which means you can too. Good luck!

I have one...it never crossed my mind!

 

[jaxs]

After many years,I built a forge from a refrigerant tank,propane burner from 3/4" pipe and fittings I had laying around. 1"x4" piece will turn red in about 3 minutes and yellow in 5. The burner can be removed and used in hand but it take's much longer to heat things and will never reach yellow. If you want to give it a try,avoid U-Tube like the plague and go to Iforgeiron for detailed instructions and answers to questions that haven't been thought of yet. I've gained new appreciation for blacksmiths and am totally awed that BC blade smiths were able to use mined ore to turn out quility weapons. After countless attempts,a piece that sorta resembled Damascus shattered when I called myself heat treating it. On the other hand I've forge welded things I'm proud of and impressed a couple of people.

 

[ArlyA]

I used a pipe bender, and it worked really well. I think you should try this option and not worry about it. I am more than confident that it will prove to be an effective tool for you because I often use it for urgent needs.
If you've never used it before, then don't be afraid because there's nothing easier to manage. You will definitely be able to handle this case and have success.
Even my little brother uses this tool, which means you can too. Good luck!

Most people need a sharp radius bend and this pipe bender can't do that. Will not do to 1" thick steel or 4" wide either.