CUTTING WITH A HAND TORCH
• The torch can be comfortably held in one hand or steadied with two hands. Choose the
technique that feels most comfortable and allows good control and movement. Position the
index finger or thumb to press the control switch on the torch handle.
• With the torch in starting position, press the control switch. After an initial gas purge (pre-
air), the pilot arc will come on and remain on for 3 seconds until the cutting arc starts.
• For edge starts, hold the torch perpendicular to the work piece with the front of the tip on the
edge of the work piece at the point where the cut is to start. Fig. A.
• For drag cuts keep the torch in contact with the work piece.
• For standoff cutting, hold the torch 5/64" to 1/8" (2-3mm) from the work.
• For straight-line cuts, use a straight-edge as guide for your torch.
• For circle cuts, use a template or circle cutting attachment guide to get the radius you desire.
• Once on, the main arc remains on as long as the control switch is held down, unless the
torch is withdrawn from the work or torch motion is too slow. Keep moving while cutting. Cut
at a steady speed without pausing. Maintain the cutting speed so that the arc lag is about
30° behind the travel direction. Fig. C
• Adjust the torch speed so sparks go thru the metal and out the bottom of the cut.
• Pause at the edge (end of your cut) until the arc has cut completely through the work piece.
If sparks are being blown upward and back at the torch head, your torch travel speed is too
fast, decrease your travel speed.
• To shut off the torch simply release the control switch. When the switch is released a post-
flow will occur. If the torch trigger is pressed during the post-flow, the pilot arc will restart.
• Refer to the Troubleshooting section of this operating manual should the torch or system not
operate as expected.
NOTE: If the cutting arc is interrupted, and the torch trigger is still pressed, the pilot arc comes
back on automatically after 3 seconds.
NOTE: If sparks are being blown upward and back at the torch head, your torch travel speed is
too fast, decrease your travel speed.
PIERCING WITH A HAND TORCH
NOTE: If necessary to make a cut on a metal sheet which is thicker than the maximum piercing capacity
(without an edge start) make a hole 1/4" (6.35mm) at least using an electric drill to start cutting.
• When piercing with a hand torch, tip the torch slightly so that blowback particles blow away
from the torch tip (and operator) rather than directly back into it. Fig. B
• Complete the pierce off the cutting line and then continue the cut onto the line. Hold the torch
perpendicular to the work piece after the pierce is complete. Fig. D
• Clean spatter and scale from the shield cup and the tip as soon as possible. Spraying or
dipping the shield cup in anti-spatter compound will minimize the amount of scale which
adheres to it.
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