Nor will traditional cutting torch cut Iron, the carbon content, around 1%
makes Iron into steel which burns nicely under high pressure 0/2. Some tool
steels also do not [burn] well because of the Chrome/ Molly content. In my
younger days I have hand cut steel plate in access of 10 inches thick. Now
back to these , gazing balls, they are quite thin and very hard [around 52
RC], and a plasma system is almost overkill, unless you make form to cut
with you could make quite a mess of it. I stick with my little dremel cutoff
system, precise and controllable.
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: jimlux
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2018 8:27 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [TCML] VDG
On 2/24/18 4:24 PM, doug wrote:
Traditional cutting torch will not cut SS.
Doug
My email got cutoff (hit send too quick)- but to explain, a traditional
cutting torch relies on getting the metal hot, then blasting it with
pure oxygen, which "burns" the metal away - with steel, it burns quite
nicely. Stainless, on the other hand, doesn't burn as well.
I will confess that I've not tried to cut SS with a torch, since I had a
plasma cutter handy, and I preferred that for cutting just about
anything. However, it would seem that as long as you were cutting
something reasonably thin, that a standard torch would cut it - SS,
after all, is mostly iron, with added nickel and chromium. On the
other hand, the products of combustion for nickel and chromium are
probably pretty icky.
The plas cutter also makes a much, much cleaner cut.
-----Original Message----- From: jimlux Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2018
12:55 PM To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [TCML] VDG
On 2/24/18 9:12 AM, doug wrote:
I think you will find that the SS globe is VERY hard SS, Your best drill
will probably only scratch it. The best way I have found is to nest the
globe in something and use a dermel with the "TINY" cutoff disc that
comes with it. That little disc is only .026 X 1" and goes through like
butter.
Doug
This is why if you have access to someone with a plasma cutter, it's
great. It's what plasma cutters were invented for, since traditional
cutting torches use pure oxygen to do the cutting.