Why does the cut fill with slag and close in behind me??
Question:When I am cutting metal with my acetylene torch, the cut usually fills back in behind me and I have to tap out the peice I am cutting. I have seen people make cuts that were very clean and neat, I know I am doing something wrong but I just dont know what? any tips on basic cutting torch procedures?? Thanx
Answers:
Everybody's right.
Anything from wrong tip, to speed , distance ,angle etc.
If you are sure you have the right tip for the thickness of metal.
might try upping the oxy pressure a little.
You should have a strong flame w/ no smoke & when you hit the cutting lever a bright flame with a bit of a roar is a good indicator.
The extra pressure will blow the molten metal out of the cut & give you a shower of straw colored sparks without pooling.
You will know its right when there a clean underside on the workpiece ( no dribbles) & very small & few molten globs on the floor.
Your gas supplier should have tables for tips & pressures.
Fun aint it?
Try the mix your using , the type of nozzle if interchangeable, ans also the speed your cutting at.
When that happens to me I am running to hot and moving to slow.
You're cutting too slow. Try speeding up a little bit. You'll see the difference.
Also, angle your tip in the direction that you're cutting. It'll keep your heat away from what you've already cut.
The above answers are all good. A couple more ideas: Make sure your tip is clean. Three to five pounds of acetylene is plenty for any cutting tip through number five. Any more and you are melting more metal than the torch can oxidize and blow out of the cut.
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