Oxy Acetylene Cutting Machines

Oxy-acetylene cutting is a process that uses a controlled flame produced by the combustion of oxygen and acetylene to cut through metals. The cutting torch has separate passages for each gas, mixing in the torch tip and ignited using a spark or pilot to create a controlled flame.

Gas cutting is used for cutting metals of low alloy or mild steel, with thicknesses generally being greater than 50mm/2". With the advantage of portability, it is often used for on-site jobs and repairs. Gas cutting is also advantageous in CNC cutting applications when plasma cutting doesn't provide a straight enough edge.

While oxy-acetylene cutting is commonly used for carbon and mild steels, as well as other ferrous metals, it is not the ideal method for cutting stainless steel. This is because the chemical reactions involved in oxy-acetylene cutting can lead to unsatisfactory results when applied to stainless steel. Including a large Heat Affected Zone and distortion.

The specific pressure settings can vary depending on the equipment, torch tip size, and the material being worked on. However, there are general guidelines for setting the oxygen and acetylene pressures.

As a guide, try the acetylene regulator at 10 psig, and the oxy regulator for 40 psig for material under 1 1/2" thick.

The oxy-acetylene torch, also known as the oxy-fuel torch, was invented by Edmond Fouche and Charles Picard in 1903. Fouche, a French engineer, and Picard, a French scientist, developed the oxy-acetylene torch for welding and cutting metals, as it's still used for today!

It is not recommended to flame cut cast iron as it's a messy, inconsistent process that can lead to puddling and cracking. A plasma cutter might be a better solution for cutting cast iron.

The choice between an oxy-acetylene cutting machine and a plasma cutter depends on various factors, including the type of work, the materials, and your specific requirements. For example, oxy-acetylene is budget friendly, however plasma cutting may be more cost effective and offer a higher ROI for certain applications. Or if you need to cut a wide variety of metals, plasma cutting is the better solution, as oxy-acetylene is limited to low-medium carbon or mild steels and wrought iron. 

Many metal fabricators use a combination of both methods based on the application.

Advantages of flame cutting include the low equipment cost, it's portability, the ability to cut thick materials, and ease of use. 
Disadvantages include slower cutting speeds, less precise results, material limitations, the necessity for pre-heating, and environmental impact.

Check out our guide to help you choose between flame cutting or plasma cutting here.