Al Rovira

Unfortunately, torches that many fabricators use on a daily basis frequently have tips that are clogged with hardened slag at the tip ends. In addition, tips that are altered due to cleaning with grinding or cutting wheels - and sometimes even hacksaws - find their way onto a job site.  

Cutting and welding tips require proper cleaning using appropriate tools to keep them working properly. Tips are designed to perform best when new or when properly cleaned and maintained. Poorly maintained cutting or welding tips negatively affect the quality and efficiency of the work being done. Properly maintained tips ensure faster, cleaner cuts and welds and significantly less post-work. Even with proper maintenance tips don't last forever - when tips exhibit deformed, uneven, or distorted flames, or flames that cannot be corrected, it is time to replace the tip.

More often than not, higher quality of work and greater productivity compensates for the cost of a new tip.

FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN OR REPLACE TIPS WHEN NECESSARY RESULTS IN:

·         Lower efficiencies

·         Increase in gas consumption

·         Sub-standard work quality and more post and re-work

·         Greater slag accumulation and wider kerfs when cutting

·         Poor cut face quality and substandard joints

FOR THE BEST RESULTS:

·         Use only tips from name brand manufacturers

·         Use the manufacturer’s tip size recommendations

·         Use the manufacturer’s suggested pressure settings

·         Practice proper techniques and skills when cleaning

·         Follow all industry safety standards and recommendations

·         Use the proper tools to clean or reface tips