Broco Cutting Torch

[clintonwelding1]

has anyone everheard of the broco cutting torch system. 1.How much oxygen does this consume.

2. what rods does it take

3.how much are they worth

I have three new setups from my dads freind in esu. they're left over from 9/11 or something like that

[bigdogjoe62]

Check out www.strongweldingproducts.com broco sells different cutting systems underwater stuff too. they sell a real cool portable 12volt battery powered spool gun welder :cool:

[clintonwelding1]

i just tried it and its my new favorite cutting process. I still cant believe it cuts concreate

[Coalsmoke]

And have you looked at the price of the consumables yet :rolleyes:

[clintonwelding1]

yeh i cant wait :( maybe esu has somemore

[Fishy Jim]

How are those different than carbon rods in a stick machine? Are they cleaner?

I'm doing some 18" long cuts in 1/8" wall pipe (schedule 40) and eating up grinding wheels like mad, not to mention burning up time doing them. I don't have the money for a plasma yet, but that's next on the tool list. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[SMTatham]

How are those different than carbon rods in a stick machine? Are they cleaner?

I'm doing some 18" long cuts in 1/8" wall pipe (schedule 40) and eating up grinding wheels like mad, not to mention burning up time doing them. I don't have the money for a plasma yet, but that's next on the tool list. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Broco Prime Cut system and use it for removing stuck pins and the like. It is a different application altogether than carbon arcing. Say for instance a 3" diam. pin 15" long............rusted in tight: you can bore a hole straight thru the center of it and when it cools off the shrinkage will allow you to easily drive the pin out.
Why not use oxy/acetylene for your pipe cuts?

[Fishy Jim]

Because the finish on the cut is too nasty with gas.

I'm starting to make some heavy duty traction bars for offroader 4x4 truck guys, and the cuts I need to make are where the bottom tube meets the main tube. Both sections are 1.5" schedule 40 (1.9" OD, 1/8" wall). The opening is essentially a soft V shape that needs to be clean enough to then weld directly to with minimal rework. I really think plasma is the way to go, but don't have the money for the machine yet.

I built a tubing notcher with an end mill that's the same size as the pipe, but my buddy who turned the spindle for it didn't get the hole quite right and the end mill alignment is slightly off (so it wobbles). I also discovered that I really need a roughing end mill instead of the 6 flute finishing one I got, so when those two issues are corrected, I may only need the plasma for roughing out the bulk of the notch. Tempering the cuts with O/A is also a concern, since I'm not using a big mill to finish with. The notcher is sturdy, but not made out of anything cast.

[Coalsmoke]

Because the finish on the cut is too nasty with gas.

Good-torch + proper technique + practice = skilled cut with scale soft as butter. What little scale is on this piece comes off with an angle grinder and about 3 seconds of time.

This is a picture of 3/8 plate, 5 inches wide. (for some reason the camera distorted the the ends, I probably chose the wrong close-up setting). The cut took about 10 seconds and saw absolutely no clean-up before this picture was taken, and is of typical quality.

[Fishy Jim]

Ok, now do that aimed into a 2" OD pipe with 1/8" wall and don't burn through or even melt the back.

I don't think a torch is the right tool for the job.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/FishyJim/tubingcut.jpg

[Coalsmoke]

can you post some pictures, I'm having a hard time conceptualizing the task that is giving you trouble.

[Fishy Jim]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/FishyJim/AUT_0386copy.jpg

The cut actually needs to be arc'd as well, so it fits flush to the other pipe.

This one didn't go so well, and there's a lot of weld in there.

It's also awaiting bushings, and doesn't have one of the polished shafts in it yet.

Anyone need a traction bar that won't limit suspension travel or articulation? :D

[Coalsmoke]

I agree, it would be real nice to run those on the mill. Would make for a nice welding edge and perfect fit-up. If I had a dozen of those to do, I wouldn't hesitate to grab my torch, but, if I had a 20+, I'd consider finding something a bit better suited. What is your end weld process, mig or tig?

[Fishy Jim]

I can do either. This one was done entirely with the mig, but the next ones might be tig'd just to see how that goes. This stock is actually stretching my little MM130's capacity. I haven't needed to double pass anything, but it has gotten the torch pretty hot doing the brackets. I'm running CO2/Ar and .035 wire.

As for the slicing; I should have my notcher issues resolved in a couple weeks. I'm still waiting on an acceptable bearing solution for the shaft, but I have samples coming for that wed. The axle bracket is 1/4" wall rect. tube and I've been getting good results with the drill press and hole saws, then grinding the edges for the bevel and miging that. I have a 7" dewalt grinder that goes through the stuff like butter.

I've got some drops of this stock, so I'll probably give the torch a shot and see what happens. I hardly ever use that head, so it could just be my stigma from the hacks at the steel yard. I started welding on gas, then went to school for stick, then bought a mig, now bought a tig and it's just like a pimped out O/A torch (I shoulda bought one of these suckers years ago!).

This project is just getting off the ground, but interest has been strong with everyone I've spoken to about it. I'll be tooling up as the funds start coming back in, instead of going out like they are now. Plasma cutter and a bigger compressor are high on the list now that my house isn't hurting for juice anymore. If I had a mill, I wouldn't be posting this. lol If these really take off, I'll outsource all the cutting and just assemble the parts. I've been putting off doing up the CAD drawings till I get the final design worked out. Until now, I've been a full time hobbyist who's been intermittently employed as a professional fabricator. Time to step out on my own.

[SMTatham]

Ok, now do that aimed into a 2" OD pipe with 1/8" wall and don't burn through or even melt the back.

I don't think a torch is the right tool for the job.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/FishyJim/tubingcut.jpg
Proper tip size, fuel pressure, and travel speed will give you superb results. I think you've seen too many bad torch cuts and it's jaundiced your opinion of this fine old method!! :D

[burninbriar]

I totally agree. I've seen too many people complain about OA cutting and when I see there set up they only have one tip that came with the torch. Tip size is exsteemly important to get good results. Exellent work was being done long befor the invention of th plasma cutter. OA can give excelent results with propper set up and a skilled opperator.

[Coalsmoke]

I totally agree. I've seen too many people complain about OA cutting and when I see there set up they only have one tip that came with the torch. Tip size is exsteemly important to get good results. Exellent work was being done long befor the invention of th plasma cutter. OA can give excelent results with propper set up and a skilled opperator.

That's what I say.

[J hall]

I totally agree. I've seen too many people complain about OA cutting and when I see there set up they only have one tip that came with the torch. Tip size is exsteemly important to get good results. Exellent work was being done long befor the invention of th plasma cutter. OA can give excelent results with propper set up and a skilled opperator.


I've seen too many times where somebody will have a beat up tip, wrong pressures, etc, and then say that the torch is no good, or "you should have plasma to do this right" :rolleyes:

[Coalsmoke]

Also, people are really set on the idea that torches remove 1/4 of material in kerf, but the kerfs from my setup are barely wide enough to put a dime through. I will say, however, quality of torch equipment makes a noticable difference in end cut quality.

[Fishy Jim]

I already said I'll give it a shot. Sheesh. lol

[Coalsmoke]

:D before long you'll be wishing you never came across us bunch :D

[Fishy Jim]

The joint on the shorter 33" units (the one pictured is 48") is much smaller and more manageable.

It's looking like rain today, so I've been inside tiging up the shafts. Still have a few of this run to polish as well. Maybe tomorrow will be flame day.