torch info for projects

Kendrick · Feb 20, 2008

I am wondering what sizes of materials you guys often see while working projects. I am going to check out the torch equipment in my barn soon and if it is not up to snuff purchace some new.

I am trying to get a feal for what kind of material sizes are regularly welded on projects. I want to run a O/A setup and was trying to size materials and equipment for the job. I hope to get a nice stick and beyond in the not quite near future but untill then I will have to settle with o/a cutting/welding.

svcguy · Feb 21, 2008

I do a lot of fabrication and to be honest, most of my work is with tubing or material that is no thicker than about 1/4 inch. Not to say that I don't use larger material, it's just that 1/4 inch is probably the most common, 3/8 up to about 1/2 inch not uncommon, but certainly not the norm. I am starting to build a chipper from a 3 inch thick round billet as the core mass, but that type of thing is rare. Even the larger I-beams I sometimes work with are fairly light on the profile. I rarely need more than 225 amps on the stick welder.

Harry c · Feb 21, 2008

Kendrick, If you're asking what you can weld with an O/A setup the answer is almost anything if you have the right stuff. I have a heavy duty Oxweld outfit, a variety of tips and large tanks. I can weld 1/4 inch stuff with no problem at all. I've welded thicker in a pinch, but at that point its time to start the stick welder for speed and comfort. My stick welder is gasoline powered and if I have some small piece to weld it's often easier to just fire up the torch than to clear off all the junk I've piled on the welder. Also, if I have a thin section to weld, I'm much better with the torch.

bjcsc · Feb 21, 2008

You'll find yourself using 1/4" material more than anything else. My experience is pretty much the same as scvguy. Thicker every once in awhile, but usually quarter (or thinner)...

powerstroke444e · Feb 21, 2008

3/16 to 3/8 for most CUT equipment & ATV & truck stuff. I use a Miller 110v mig & a linclon stick welder with torch for cuts. The most valueable tool I purchased in the last 3 yrs was a portable bandsaw from milwaukee it gets 10 time the use of my torch. With the torch and bigger tip I have cut 4" material.