cutting torch guide with "clockwork" speed control

Dec 10, 2005 7 Replies
G

I recently read "Shop Savvy" by I think Mountebank, and in it he goes on about how to do precision cutting with a cutting torch. He describes a torch guide which holds the torch a constant distance above the workpiece, which guides its movement in a straight line, and which uses a "clockwork" to control speed. I posted this recently, inquiring how this might have worked. Well, anyway one closed on ebay tonight (no I didn't win the auction). I saved the auction image:

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The auction
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text says the item was made in Sweden.



I'd be real interested to know how this works.



Grant Erwin Kirkland, Washington


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B

I saw a similar machine, run with a variable speed motor, in Los Angeles many years ago. They were cutting the 8 ft. dia. base gear for a dragline out of 8" thick plate with a template. Very impressive. Bugs

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K

Are you specifically interested in the "clockwork" mechanism or in the idea of a guided torch for precision cutting? I can't help you with the clockwork but the track torch has been around for quite a while and I've even run across a few at auctions. Here's more info:

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There is also a pattern tracing version that uses a motor with a magnetic roller on it to follow the outside edge of a metal pattern a move the torch. In fact there's a book available that has plans for one along with a few other tools that are handy in the shop like a hydraulic press and sheetmetal brake IIRC. I have a copy somewhere and will see if I can find it if you want the title and author.

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"

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K

Grant, Possibly some kind of "friction wheel" (designed in a "bulldozer track" shape to promote straight travel) and speed controlled by a governor of sorts inside the housing? Ken.

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E

Koike sells a cutting torch with a small crawler built in.

Here is the newer version of the cutter I have.

Mine was made in Germany in the 60's, and called a Cub Cadet.

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D

I've seen one of the magnetic pattern tracers here

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Looks like it would be simple to replicate.

Keith Marshall wrote:

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B

"Racer's Guide to Fabricating Shop Equipment" ?

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