[TheForge] Oxygen cutting -- was suggestion for abana andlocalblacksmith groups.

[David E. Smucker]

BOF is basic oxygen furnace.  Basic refers to the lining and slag used i.e.
basic rather than acid.  This furnace takes molten cast iron from the blast
furnace and scrap (about 30 %) and is then blown with an water cooled oxygen
lance to remove carbon and produce steel.  It really is the "Son of
Bessemer"  in the Bessemer converter the molten cast iron was blown with air
rather than high volume oxygen.  I know of no Bessemer converters in use any
more.

Dave
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Sproul" <brhlbsmt at mcttelecom.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 7:16 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Oxygen cutting -- was suggestion for abana
andlocalblacksmith groups.


> Hi Dave,  Would a BOF be a burn off furnace?  I'm just guessing as I
haven't
> heard that term.
>
> Imagine the delight when a traveling salesman showed a blacksmith a
cutting
> torch !
>
> Ralph
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David E. Smucker" <davesmucker at hotmail.com>
> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 6:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Oxygen cutting -- was suggestion for abana and
> localblacksmith groups.
>
>
> > You are so right.
> >
> > We have become so used to using Oxygen for burning / cutting that it is
> easy
> > to forget that we have only had this for about 100 years.  Before that
it
> > was saws, cold chisels and hot cuts.  "Tonnage Oxygen" was a product of
> WWII
> > and the development of German rockets.  It became the driving force
behind
> > basic oxygen steel making.  About 60 % of the worlds steel comes from
> BOF's
> > today.
> >
> > Dave
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Gladish Family" <gladish at cnw.com>
> > To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 5:22 PM
> > Subject: RE: [TheForge] suggestion for abana and local blacksmith
groups.
> >
> >
> > > And a bow drill, just so we can appreciate how good we modern smiths
> have
> > > it!
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "terry l. ridder" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > there would also need to be an objective way to score the quality
> > > > > of the cuts.
> > > > > how much cleanup work is required?
> > > > > warpage?
> > > > > deformation?
> > > >
> > > > Also absolute thickness of material that can be cut and
> > > > what the quality is like.  Thinnest material the torches
> > > > will cut and the quality there.
> > > >
> > > > What is the potential for precision in cutting?  Can the
> > > > torch be used with mechanized cutting machinery?  What is
> > > > the flame front like?  Does it obscure the cut line or is
> > > > the line clearly visible during cutting such that the user
> > > > can see where they are going?
> > > >
> > > > Ergonomics of the torches themselves.  How easy is it to
> > > > change tips?  Can they be changed without tools?  Can they
> > > > be safely changed "hot"?  Does it require special tools or
> > > > standard wrenches?
> > > >
> > > > What is required for standard maintenance?  How is the torch
> > > > built and what are the potential dis/advantages when something
> > > > major must be repaired?
> > > > >
> > > > > cutting speed vs thickness of metal would be a good test.
> > > >
> > > > Fuel consumption v. thickness.  As claimed on the
> > > > Petrogen page, the thicker the cut the more economical,
> > > > which seems very plausible to me.  But is it actually
> > > > true?
> > > > >
> > > > > an good all day demonstration would benefit everyone.
> > > >
> > > > Video-captured, multiple cameras, professionally edited and
> > > > produced.
> > > > >
> > > > > would be nice to video tape the complete demonstrations and make
the
> > > > > video available either for download or on a cdrom/dvd.
> > > > >
> > > > > i would be tempted to arrange a demo in northern illinois but i
have
> > no
> > > > > idea how many blacksmiths/metalworkers would be interested in
> > attending.
> > > > > depending on the number attending may require a different location
> to
> > be
> > > > > used.
> > > >
> > > > Asking here is a good place to start.  Put out a call to the
> > > > local groups and ask for responses, giving plenty of lead time,
> > > > like three months, but not much more so people don't forget.
> > > > >
> > > > > it would be nice to have a ballpark number of attendees to give
the
> > > > > potential demonstrators.
> > > >
> > > > That's what RSVP is for.
> > > > _______________________________________________
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