Welding Tips and Tricks

Just wondering what everyone is using, been looking at a George Fischer GF4? Anything else I should look at or consider, I have seen the Tube squaring equipment http://www.tritool.com/tube_squaring.asp but would rather have a saw that cuts a perfect edge all at the same time.

Majority of the time I am cutting .062" wall 316 Stainless 1.50" OD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbE19sbDSxk

This is very similar, if not the same model, to what we use at my work (semiconductor). I always have some burrs that I have to clean up with a file, but that might just be a worn cutting wheel; not sure when the last time it was replaced. Other than that the fit up in the orbital welder is fine. Just make sure the cutting wheel/blade is sharp and that it is secured tightly, otherwise the blade will move the piece and ruin your cut.

I primarily use the George Fischer for cutting 2x0.065 304l (what I deal with the most). The smaller stuff either gets a handheld wheel pipe cutter or maybe even the band saw, and then faced using one of the Tri Tools. Of course what we use depends on the situation.

At one of our local plants they were using something similar to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHZPlhmqkg

so do you prefer the GF or the Tri tool

Well, the GF cuts and faces all at once, so it saves time in that regards. Though I feel the Tri Tool provides a smoother face.

But the GF will provide a good enough fit for autogenous welding. I believe ours can cut from 0.500" - 4.00".

Superiorwelding, how does the pipe fit up after using that? Though if it's pipe and not tubing I'm guessing it'll end up being beveled anyways.

Mongol,
I have not personally used it but watched others and actually got some drops cut from a cutter like this one. It seems to fit up rather well. I may not do as good a job as these cutting saws. If there was any gaps the welders didn't seem to mind. They were welding joints extremely fast. If I remember right they were cutting 4" SS tubing. Also this was used inside the plant. A cutter like the ones in the videos were used outside.

Yeah I'm trying to justify cost the gf4 is about $5000.00 more then the tritool and I will not need the stand as well...

If price is a concern then you may consider grabbing of these and the Tri Tool. https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/stainless- ... ng-cutters

We have a few of these at work. They're really smooth and I've never had a problem with them threading the tube.

Superiorwelding wrote:At one of our local plants they were using something similar to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHZPlhmqkg

I watched that ridged clip, and I am/was amazed!!!
How does it do it? and how thick walled of pipe can it do?
JOhn

Price isn't a huge concern but for nearly double the price I would like to be able to justify it. I have some room with the cap in this project so we want to get something better then I've been using. We use to outsource a lot of this pipe work but with my skills and certs it will be coming in house. I've been using a ban saw that if I run slow has worked fairly well, welds are supposed to be autogenous so no filler is needed, although if I have a small issue I can use some .035" 316L filler.

The standard pipe cutter works well I have a few of them but it puts a sizable bevel on the pipe, so your right that along with a good squaring tool and Ill be in business. The big chain cutter posted above looks like glass cutter, the small blades are mounted on the chain links.

I have to nit pick by saying that it doesn't so much put a bevel on the tube as it compresses it because it doesn't cut like a saw.

Where ever you make your mark just cut it a hair in front of it and then face it back the few thousandths it needs to be square.

You might also want to consider one of these in case you decide to get crazy with the cheese whiz.
https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/127-inner-outer-reamer

Talked with a rep for Axxair today he was a wealth of knowledge and had rep'd GF in the past. The Axxair unit looks good impressive and support and parts are much easier to get, and the saw is about 150lbs lighter. Im setting up a demo in the next week.

Looking at a cc121 I really like the clamping on this saw .. http://www.axxairusa.com/orbital-cuttin ... timore.php