Conclusion
(162) In drawing this elementary course in oxy-acetylene welding to a close, the author wishes to again call attention to the fact that this course is merely to be considered as a foundation upon which to build. An effort has been made to confine the student’s line of thought exclusively to the actual welding of the various metals and an intimate knowledge of the tools necessary to accomplish this. Technical terms have been avoided as much as possible, and history, as well as the generation of the various gases, have been considered only of secondary importance and have been purposely omitted. Many repetitions have been made to place emphasis upon certain points and methods. It is hoped that the student who pursues this course if he has been restricted to the use of only one apparatus will realize that there are many such on the market, each one of which may have its advantages, but if the general rules, as outlined, are followed, he will not have much difficulty or be covered with confusion if called upon to operate different makes of apparatus for the first time. If he sees that there is gas pressure on his lines, he should not hesitate, thereby showing his ignorance of that particular type of apparatus, rather let him turn on one valve, and direct the stream of gas toward his nostrils. He can then readily determine whether it is the fuel gas or not and knowing that oxygen will not burn he can turn his fuel gas on and proceed without showing any concern. It might be said that confidence in one’s self is the keynote of success, and this is imperative to make an expert welder, but to the man who studies the flame action on his metals and appreciates the apparatus to the fullest extent, there is a very bright future.
Fig. 91.—Quick, Permanent Repairs are Made on Large Supply Trucks in the U. S. Army by its Corps of Trained Welders. This View Shows an Individual Welding Unit in Operation at the U. S. Army (Ordnance) Welding School.
(Courtesy of Ben K. Smith, U. S. Welding Co.)
Fig. 92.—This Cylinder did not Require to be Bored or have any other Machine Work Performed, but was Placed in Service Directly after Welding and has been Serving for over Three Years.
(163) The welder who desires the best results should procure the best apparatus possible to fill his requirements. The cost of such is only of secondary importance, the hazard attached to cheaply constructed apparatus and the loss of gas, time and the execution of faulty work and the depreciation of the welder’s reputation, are matters of vital importance. The supplies too, such as filler-rods and the like, should be obtained only from reliable welding companies who have their own shops in which they may test them. It is false economy indeed, to attempt to save a few cents on filling materials, for many dollars’ worth of time and gas may be lost on account of the failure of the metal added.
(164) There are a few illustrations set forth herein, to show what has been accomplished in the way of machine construction used in adapting the oxy-acetylene process to the requirements of various manufacturers. These will tend to show to some extent what the future has in store for this wonderful process.
(165) It has been rightly stated that oxy-acetylene welding is yet in its infancy. The torches, regulators and in fact all parts of the apparatus are constantly being improved. The process of cutting cast iron must still be solved, so it will again be stated that it behooves those who are interested in this work to apply themselves to the great future in store for them.
GLOSSARY
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND WORDS APPLIED TO OXY-ACETYLENE WELDING AND CUTTING
Acetone. A liquid which is capable of absorbing twenty-five times its volume of acetylene gas under normal temperature and pressure. Employed as a solvent in the acetylene cylinder.
Acetylene. An inflammable gas used for welding and cutting.
Acetylene Cylinder. A steel tank filled with porous material and acetone, in which acetylene gas is stored.
Adapter. A brass fitting used to connect regulators to different cylinders.
Alignment. State of being in line.
Alloy. Metal which is added to another metal. A mixture of two or more entirely different metals.
Angle Iron. A steel bar, the cross-section of which forms an angle of 90 degrees.
Asbestos. A fibrous material not affected by fire. Usually supplied in sheets or shredded.
Autogenous Welding. The process of uniting two pieces of metal together by fusing without additional metal being added, and without the aid of hammering.
Babbitted. Lined with Babbitt metal. Generally found in bearings.
Back Fire. The popping out of the torch flame, due to a slight explosion of the mixed gas between the torch tip and the mixing chamber.
Bearing. Support or wearing surface for a revolving shaft.
Bevel. To cut or form at an angle.
Beveled Edge. An edge cut or formed at an angle.
Blowhole. A hole or cavity formed by trapped gas in metal.
Blowpipe. A torch which mixes and burns gases producing high-temperature flames. The term TORCH is given preference in oxy-acetylene welding and cutting.
Brazing. Uniting metals with brass or bronze by means of heat.
Brazing Wire. A filler-rod of brass or bronze used in brazing.
Butt Joint. A joint made by butting two edges together.
Cap. A metal cover used to protect cylinder valves.
Carbon Blocks. Carbon in block form. Used to assist in building up parts that are to be added. They may be ground to any shape desired.
Carbon Rods. Carbon in rod form. Employed to save holes around which the metal is melted.
Carbonizing Flame. A flame with an excess of acetylene gas.
Contraction. The shrinkage of metal due to cooling.
Cross-bar. Hand screw for adjusting the passage of gas through the regulator.
Cutting Jet. Central jet of oxygen issuing from tip of cutting torch.
Cutting Torch. A torch with one or more heating jets and an oxygen jet, used for cutting metals in the oxy-acetylene process.
Cylinder. A tank containing gas under pressure.
Ductile. That property which permits metal being formed or drawn into different shapes without breaking.
Expansion. Increase in size due to heating.
Filler-rod. A rod or wire used to supply additional metal to the weld.
Fillet Weld. A weld made in a corner.
Flame Propagation. The rate at which a flame will travel.
Flash Back. The burning back of the gases to the mixing chamber or possibly farther.
Flux. Chemical powder used to dissolve the oxides and clean the metal when welding.
Gas. Erroneously applied to acetylene gas alone. Both oxygen and acetylene are in the form of gas.
Gauge. An instrument for measuring pressures of gases.
Generator. A device for manufacturing gas. Usually specified as acetylene generator or oxygen generator.
Grain. The arrangement of the molecules or crystals which make up a metal.
Horizontal Welding. Welding in a level position.
I-beam. A steel bar with the cross-section of an I. Sometimes called EYE BEAM.
Line. Hose or pipe carrying gas.
Manifold. A header with outlets or branches by which several cylinders of gas may be used in batteries.
Monel Metal. An alloy of copper and nickel.
Nipple. A short piece of pipe.
Overhead Welding. Welding with the torch overhead.
Oxidation. A combination with oxygen.
Oxide. A coating or scale formed by oxygen combining with metal.
Oxidizing Flame. A flame with an excess of oxygen gas.
Oxygen. A non-inflammable gas used in oxy-acetylene welding and cutting.
Oxygen Cylinder. A steel tank for storing and shipping oxygen. Available for commercial work in 100, 200, and 250 cubic-foot sizes. The oxygen is compressed as free gas to 1800 pounds pressure at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peening. Stretching the surface of cold metal by use of the hammer.
Penetration. A thorough welding completely through the joint of the pieces or parts being fused.
Preheating. The heating of a metal part previous to welding. Generally used to prevent strains or distortion from contraction and expansion; also to save gas.
Pool. A small body of molten metal formed by the torch flame.
Puddle Stick. A steel rod flattened at one end, used to break up oxides, remove dirt and build up additional metal. Particularly helpful in welding cast aluminum.
Puddling. The manipulation of the filler-rod or the puddle-stick in such a manner as to break up oxides, remove dirt, and aid in securing a good fusion of the metal.
Reducing Flame. (See [Carbonizing Flame].)
Reducing Valve. (See [Regulator].)
Regulator. A device for reducing and maintaining a uniform pressure of gas from cylinders, generators or shop lines.
Scale. A coating of oxide on fused iron or steel that breaks off as the metal cools.
Scaling Powder. A name given flux.
Slag. The oxidized metal and scale blown out when cutting.
Soldering. Uniting metals by fusing with a different metal which has a much lower melting-point than the pieces to be joined. The use of a lead, tin and zinc alloy is called soft soldering. Hard soldering is similar to brazing.
Tacking. Fusing pieces together at one or more places.
Tip. A copper or brass nozzle for a welding or cutting torch.
V. Angle or groove between two beveled edges prepared for welding.
V-block. Block cut out in the shape of a V, or angle iron, used in lining up shafts.
Valve. A device for shutting off the passage of gas.
Vertical Welding. Welding as applied to an upright position.
Welding Rod. Material used to supply additional metal to the weld. (See [Filler-rod].)