Results 1 to 14 of 14

cutting torch

| Tools and Equipment
  1. #1
    hunterandscrapper started this thread.
    hunterandscrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2014
    Location
    bloomer wi
    Posts
    261
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked 135 Times in 71 Posts

    cutting torch

    I'm thinking about buying a cutting torch i think it would speed things up for me is it worth it


  2. The Following User Says Thank You to hunterandscrapper for This Post:



  3. #2
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    511
    Thanks
    521
    Thanked 809 Times in 309 Posts
    Absolutely worth it...........I wouldn't even THINK of going out without mine. I have a Victor torch and use acetylene. I don't process to short iron as a rule and only use it to reduce a machine to size for easy loading on a trailer. If you're into hauling the bigger stuff, it's a necessity. Quite often I have to torch off an overhanging piece of iron after I'm loaded. If your routine is hand items, it might be cheaper to go with a cut-off saw and a hand held grinder/cutter. It all depends on what you're processing.

  4. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Yunkman:


  5. #3
    EcoSafe's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    May 2011
    Posts
    3,705
    Thanks
    3,713
    Thanked 6,807 Times in 1,954 Posts
    1. Are you ready for a torch.
    A torch is a very dangerous tool not a toy to have fun with. I have 50 yrs of experience and in that 50 yrs ,with cautious behavior, I burned down a corn field, a car, and half a guys yard.

    2. I don't recommend buying a small set (the ones with the little 1 foot tall tanks, you will run out of oxygen every time just before your finished.

    3. every one would like to have one but do you NEED one at this point. decent ones are expensive and thats only the beginning the tank set up is really expensive. Buy from craigs list.

    4. A $20 angle grinder will do most any thing any smaler volume scrapper will come across.

    Just my .02
    "anyone who thinks scrappin is easy money ain't doin it right!"

  6. The Following 12 Users say Thank You for This Post by EcoSafe:


  7. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jun 2013
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    83
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 87 Times in 32 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by olddude View Post
    1. Are you ready for a torch.
    A torch is a very dangerous tool not a toy to have fun with. I have 50 yrs of experience and in that 50 yrs ,with cautious behavior, I burned down a corn field, a car, and half a guys yard.

    2. I don't recommend buying a small set (the ones with the little 1 foot tall tanks, you will run out of oxygen every time just before your finished.

    3. every one would like to have one but do you NEED one at this point. decent ones are expensive and thats only the beginning the tank set up is really expensive. Buy from craigs list.

    4. A $20 angle grinder will do most any thing any smaler volume scrapper will come across.

    Just my .02
    So you burned down half a guy? or half his yard ? LOL... Its raining here as well...
    Sean Beuque
    Go Green Recycling
    1480 Broadway Rd
    Dracut, Ma 01826
    info@gogreenrecycling.net

  8. #5
    alperin's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    23
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked 27 Times in 12 Posts
    Whats your time worth / your labor rate?

    How much time will you save using the torch vs other means?

    How much increase will you net by delivering prepared material as oppose to unprepared?

    How much will a torch cost you upfront?

    What are the operating costs of the torch?

    Basic questions you should be able to answer

  9. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by alperin:


  10. #6
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    From this perspective it depends how long you will be scrapping. Long term with large metal, it will pay for itself. Short term with sheet metal, waste of money.

  11. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  12. #7
    EcoSafe's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    May 2011
    Posts
    3,705
    Thanks
    3,713
    Thanked 6,807 Times in 1,954 Posts
    listen to what 76 has to say, I've met him on the job. This man is a "superscrapper". He knows what he's doing.

  13. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by EcoSafe:


  14. #8
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    2,702
    Thanks
    2,237
    Thanked 2,352 Times in 1,014 Posts
    Weren't you the one complaining about having to borrow a trailer? I'd buy a trailer before I bought a torch. Seems to me you have more time than material, so a torch isn't what you need at this point.

    Grab a $20 grinder at Harbor Freight and a pack of cutoff wheels. A face shield would be nice. At minimum eye goggles, and also gloves. I like their "mechanic" gloves.

  15. The Following 10 Users say Thank You for This Post by IdahoScrapper:


  16. #9
    Mechanic688's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warsaw , Ind. In the heart of the lakes, and down the street from the hotel where Al Capone stayed.
    Posts
    9,568
    Thanks
    11,247
    Thanked 10,730 Times in 4,728 Posts
    I second what Idaho has to say, a young man who has to borrow a ride to take his scrap in has no real use for a torch set.
    Maybe a sawzall and if you had a car then an inverter big enough to run the sawzall or grinder. That's all I've used with the misc. scrap I pick up.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

  17. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Mechanic688:


  18. #10
    hunterandscrapper started this thread.
    hunterandscrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2014
    Location
    bloomer wi
    Posts
    261
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked 135 Times in 71 Posts
    I just wanted a torch for heavier stuff that's hard on the sawzall

  19. #11
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    It sounds like revisiting your business plan is in order. If you have the equipment and materials, you may not need to prepare your metal.

    My plan required all profits be reinvested into the business. Went from a cutting wheel and truck to a torch, trailer, and added heavy equipment. Still growing because profits are still invested into the process.

    Paying cash for all equipment, admitting you are poor until you retire, and not retiring until you die will make you a successful scrapper.

  20. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  21. #12
    Mechanic688's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warsaw , Ind. In the heart of the lakes, and down the street from the hotel where Al Capone stayed.
    Posts
    9,568
    Thanks
    11,247
    Thanked 10,730 Times in 4,728 Posts
    I predict a bonfire (unplanned) in the near future,,,,if the torch is bought.

    What kind of big stuff do you run into to warrant a torch?? Those things are not toys.

  22. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Mechanic688:


  23. #13
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    If you are think of getting a cutting torch, I'd suggest a Plasma cutter.
    They are pretty safe compaired to gas torches and grinders.
    You will need a compressor as well, but these days they are cheap and a investment.

    I dunno how old you are though.

    Grinders, used properly, are fantastic. But there's a lot to know about using them first. Soooo much to know.
    To me its all basic common sense, and a bit of learning.
    But I have seen people do everything possible wrong. Stuff I couldn't even think up.......

    Gas torch, well that's a big boys tool, for big boys jobs, and you allways need to have a 'TA' around as well.
    A 'TA' is a 'Tradesmans assistant'. If you ain't a Tradesman, well scratch having a assistant and having a gas torch.....
    Yep, I have seen a few things go wrong with others using gas torches. Basic stuff too.

    Plasma, its neat, its cheap to use, its a great tool and a great investment.
    Just don't 'strike' it in mid air. Make sure its got a good earth and avoid blow back into the tip and the parts will last longer.
    In my case, 8 times longer...... (I was working on a job, they blew out the tip, one of only two we had, in a hour. "That's how long they last" they said. I made the second tip last all day. They blew it out within a hour the day after.....)

  24. #14
    matador's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    We purchase laptop computers and many components for greater than scrap value. We offer a shipping reimbursement program.replies

    Member since
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Big Wonderful Wyoming
    Posts
    2,310
    Thanks
    1,813
    Thanked 3,204 Times in 1,450 Posts
    I haul computer cases in sometimes. They're a box shape, with a lot of hollow space. I can still pack them in tight enough. The large stuff is where you need a torch.

    Quote Originally Posted by matador View Post



    This load of cases scaled at 1260 pounds.
    In this case, a torch would do me no good at all. You only need to break things down if they can't fit in your truck or trailer. You don't have a truck or trailer. I'd get one first. You'll know your spacial requirements, then, and will know what needs to be broken down.

    If you're real tight on money, I'd still recommend a pickup box trailer. Mine was only $200 worth of services I traded.

    Then, you'll know if you need a torch.


  25. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. what is more efficent a demo saw or a cutting torch?
      By valleyscrapping in forum General - Let's talk business
      Replies: 18
      Last Post: 10-21-2015, 10:04 AM
    2. A Scrappers Dream; Cutting Torch
      By Patriot76 in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 86
      Last Post: 08-08-2014, 10:09 AM
    3. Cutting torch Recommendations?
      By Meadowview in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 07-06-2013, 01:24 PM
    4. cutting torch
      By decjr2006 in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 11-26-2011, 01:15 AM
    5. Cutting tool that isn"t a torch
      By sdw in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 07-13-2011, 02:54 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook