How a Cutting Torch Works

Gas Hatchets

Cutting torches, also known as gas hatchets, are used to heat up and remove metal. The flame of a cutting torch can reach temperatures in excess of 3,000 degrees and cut metal more than 6 inches thick. Cutting torches can be used for new construction or for rapid disassembly of metal parts. The type of metal being cut can require a different type of cutting torch.

Oxygen Acetylene Torches

Carbon steel, the most common steel used, is easily cut by the oxygen acetylene torch. This type of cutting torch uses two gases, oxygen and acetylene, that are combined in a mixing chamber and then released through a special tip. At the end of the tip, this gas mixture is ignited to create an extremely hot flame. This blue flame can melt carbon steel into a small puddle. Once the puddle is formed, a higher-pressure stream of oxygen is released and the metal is "blown" away from the surrounding area cutting through the solid steel.

Tanks of Gas

Two separate tanks of oxygen and acetylene are contained at very high pressure, generally in the area of 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). A set of pressure regulators adjusts the gas pressure down to a usable and safe setting. From the regulators, the separated gases enter the mixing chamber through two different colored, red and green, hoses. Red is for the burning gas of acetylene and green is for the oxygen. Within the torch handle or mixing chamber, the gases are adjusted again, and then mixed together to form an output mixture. This mixed gas will "burn" at a high temperature with a vibrant blue color to the flame.

Plasma Cutters

Non-carbon or low-carbon steel such as stainless steel is very difficult to cut with an oxygen acetylene torch. A plasma cutter is generally used for this purpose of accurately cutting the hard and shiny steel. The plasma cutter uses a high voltage stream of electricity, the plasma and a constant stream of compressed air to cut non-carbon steel. Of course, the high heat of the plasma cutter, generally in the range of 5,000 degrees or higher, is so intense and fast that it can also be used for cutting carbon types of steel. Plasma cutters offer a unique quality to cutting torches as that the stream of plasma is so small, 1/16 of an inch in diameter, that the steel does not lose its temper. Temper of steel is the amount of hardness that is placed into steel by heating during the manufacturing process. Along with being able to cut carbon steel and stainless, the plasma cutter is an excellent method for cutting lightweight metals such as aluminum.