Oxygen Acetylene Cutting Techniques

Cutting Steel Plate

• Hold the tip of the cutting torch perpendicular to the steel plate and far enough away that the inner cone of the flame is slightly above the plate. Center the flame on the edge of the steel plate and heat the material until it is bright red-hot. Slowly depress the cutting handle until there is a shower of sparks. Depress the cutting handle completely when the flame has cut through the edge of the steel plate. Move the torch at a speed rapid enough to make the cut. Release the cutting handle on the cutting torch head after making the cut.

Bevel Cutting

• Perform a dry run without unlit torch to become comfortable with the hand movements necessary to make a bevel cut. Concentrate on keeping the torch in line and on the desired angle of the bevel. When comfortable, light the torch and adjust the preheat flame to its maximum length. Center the flame on the edge of the steel plate and heat the material until it is bright red-hot. Turn the torch at the desired angle for the bevel cut. Depress the cutting handle slowly until there is a shower of sparks coming out from beneath the material at the desired angle. Depress the cutting handle completely and move along the line of the cut, ensuring that the angle remains the same. Check the angle by observing the angle that the sparks come out from beneath the piece.

Hole Cutting

• Position the flame over the center of the projected hole so that the inner cone on the flame practically touches the metal. Leave the flame there until the metal starts to melt. Raise the torch had between 1/2 and 3/4 inches and slowly depress the cutting handle. Move the flame slightly off center and begin a circular motion with the flame until it passes all the way through the plate. Move the torch to its previous position, depress the cutting handle all the way, and continue to move the torch in a circular motion to eat away at the metal until the hole is it the desired size.

Cutting circles

• Outline the circle on the steel plate using a piece of chalk or soapstone. Position the flame over a spot outside of the circle with the inner cone of the flame practically touching the metal. Leave the flame there until the metal starts to melt. Raise the torch between 1/2 and 3/4 inch and slowly depress the cutting handle until the flame is through the plate. Cut to the outline circle. Follow the outline, completing the circle.