US1027864A - Continuous process of manufacturing metal tubes. - Google Patents

Description

M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

[NVENTOR APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. 1,027,864. Patented May 28, 1912.

WITNESSES:

I M. B. LLOYD.

. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. 1,027,864. Patented May 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' INVENTOR M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

v APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. 1,027,864. Patented May 28, 1912.

l4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mum

WITNESSES M. B. LLOYD.- GONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

I APPLIUATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. v I LOQZQM. v Patented May 28, 1912.

14 BHEETSSHEET 4.

WITNESSES I [/VVE/V T018 M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROGESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

2 l 9 l 00 2 W M d .w w M P APPLICATION FILED JULY 12 1911. 1,027,864.,

14 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

[NVE/VTOR WITNESSES M. B. LLOYD.

conmmous mocnss OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION I ILED JULYlZ, 1911. 1,027,864! 4 4 Patented May 28 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WITNESSES M. B. LLOYD.

CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUPAGTUBING'METAL TUBES.

Patentd Ma 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911.

WITNESSES: 8 [NVENYOR Y m. B. LLOYD.

- CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

v APPLIOA 1,027,864. 'IIOH FILED JULY12 1911 PatentedsMay 28}, 1912- 14 flKBETS-SHEET a.

d f 7 6f 2 I Lf I .g )1 b 1 a L J L WITNESSES: I 10 Aflorney M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. ,864 PatentedMay 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

INVENTOR M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES AYPLIOATIOH FILED JULY 12, 1911. I 1,027,864. Patented May 28, 1912.

14 8HEBT8-BHEET 10.

o Zox I zax M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911.

1,927,864a I Patented May 28, 1912.

.rd a i N 1 M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 12, 1911. 1,027,864. Patented May 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET l2.'

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR WTNE' M. B. LLOYD.

CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

' APPLIGATIOH FILED JULY 12 1911.

Patented May 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 18.

7 la; ll

M. B. LLOYD. CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

I APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1911. 1,027,864.

Patented May 28, 1912.

14 SHEETS-SHEET l4.

WITNESSES UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

mAnsHALI. B. LLOYn'OF MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR To AUTOMATIC WELDING COMPANY, OF M INEE; MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MIOH GAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING METAL TUBES.

Patented May 28,1912.

Application filed July 12, 1911. Serial No. 638,202.

To all whom it may coiwem Be it known that I, MARSHALL BURNS ILLOYD, a citizen of the United States, and a resldent of Menommee,Menom1nee county,

not welded. And my invention is particularly directed to the manufacture of thin walled metal tubes of the kind used in the construction of light vehicles, such as bicycles; as distinguished from thick walled, water, steam and gas pipes, which are-produced by processes that are not applicable -to themanufacture of thin walled tubing.

. As compared with my hereinafter dcscribed invention, the present day processes of making butt seamed and butt Welded .metal tubing, are slow, laborious and wasteful; require plants and equipments which are large, and expensive to construct, to

operate and to. maintain; and, produce tubing which is not dependably uniform and which in length only approximates the requirements of purchasers.

Among the objects ofmy invention are the following: 1st. To produce metal tubes of superior quality; as to uniformity of composition; as to uniformity of cross section; as to uniformity of strength;- and, as to straightness. 2nd. To produce metal tubes without waste of material; in other words,

to produce a full unit of tubing from' every unit of flat stripstock, 3rd. To produce direct from flat-strip metal stock a succession of straight butt seamed, or butt welded tubes of the exact length and cross section specified by customers; 6., to perform steps of suchnature and sequence that each portion of tubing-shall be fully completed and its specified'lngth determined before it is severed from the parent stock; Whereb many independent steps and frequently repeated operations in present processe's are avoided and material, time, labor and space.

are saved. ethQ To produce s uch metal tube, at less cist than has been possible hithert fq in brief, to produce them with less labor, with labor of lower grade, with less power, with less heat, with a less expensive plant or equipment, in less time, in less space, and, as already stated, without waste of material. 5th. To produce, in continuing se ries, metal tubes of several sizes from strip stock of one size.

As more fully disclosed hereinafter, I attain these and other objects and results by eliminating, and avoiding the necessity for, many steps commonly performed in the manufacture of butt seamed and welded metal tubes, and by reducing to a constant every factor or step in the handling or manipulation of the metal stock, performing the same acts, imposing the same strains, in

identical periods of time, upon every part I set a substantially continuousthereof. piece of flat metal stock in motion longitudinally, and while it is in motion and without interrupting such motion I perform upon itall of the acts necessary to form the flat strip into-butt seamed tubing, to weld the longitudinal seam thereof, to make and maintain it in straight condition, to reduce it to specified cross section, and

to deliver successive portions in the final form of completed tubes of respectively specified lengths.

My invention will be more readily under-- stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,

and in which I have illustrated the several steps comprising my process as practiced in the machine which I find best suited to the purposes of myinvention,

Figure 1 is side elevation of said machine orapparatus; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Figs. 3, 4 and 5, together constitute-an enlarged plan view of the machine; Figs. 3*, 3", 3, 3 ,3 3, and 3 are crosssectional views, illustrating the evolution or development of the tube, from the flat strip metal stock and its finished cross-section; Fig. 6, is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal section, showing the dies and a portion of the welding tools which I employ in my process; Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6*6 of Figs. 3 and 6;;5Eig. 7, is an enlarged vertical, longitudinal'fsection of the tools which I employ for welding the edges oif the stock after giving it tubular form, Iso the tools that I use in removing the eld bur and die by which I reduce the tubingto givenor specifiedcross section,

the .section being in. the same plane as-Fig. (3; Fig. 8, is a vertical cross section on the line SS of Figs. 3 and 7; Fig. 9, is an enlarged transverse section on the line 99 of Fig. 4: showing the details of the mechanism by which I forcibly draw and maintain the stock in constant motion; Fig. 10

is a longitudinal, vertical section thereof on the line l010 of Fig. 4.; Fig. 11, is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 9, but taken on'the line 11-11 of Fig. 4; Fig. 12 is a transverse section on the line 1212 of Fig. 4 of the stock drawing mechanism and the means for operating the samei Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical and enlarged longitudinal section on the line 1313 of Fig. 5, showing details of the tools which I use for measuring and cutting off the tubing in specified lengths as fast as it is finished; Fig. 14, is an enlarged transverse vertical section, on the line 14-14 of Fig. 5; Fig. 15, is a still further, enlarged sectional detail of the cut off mechanism, the section being taken on the line 1515 of Fig. 13 Fig. 16, is a similar view on the line 16-16 of Fig. 13; Fig. 17, is an end View of the adjustable gage of the out 01f mechanism, on line 171.7 of Fig. 13; Fig. 18 is a like end view of the tube supporting arm adjacent to the gage, as seen from the line IlS1S of Fig. 13; Fig. 19 is a side view of the cut oft mechanism, disclosing the tube clamping parts; Fig. 20 is an enlarged plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 10.

The continuous tube mill shown in the drawings is one which I devised for the purpose of carrying out the herein described process. A complete understanding of its mechanical details may be gained by ref erence to my companion application Serial No. (338,203. of even date herewith. In this presentapplication I will describe and refer to its constituent parts only to the extent. requisite to a fulldisclosure of all of the steps, acts and operation embraced in my novel process. The process may be carried out with various other tools and implements and is not limited to the mill herein shown.

lnearrying out my process I make use of either hot-rolltul or cold-rolled fiat strip metal stock of a width approximating three tiniest-he diameter of the tubing to be produced. I provide this stock in the form of metal strips each of suflicient length to produce a Large number of tubes. In carrying on the process I weld or otherwise connect the strips end to end in continuing series and therebv in ell'eet maintain a continuous source of supply oi the llat strip stock. It will be mnlerslood that the strips are of uni form cross sect ion -z'. (2., of the same thickness and width. Having thus provided a .soulcc of supply of llatstrip stock I- dispose or position the end portion of the stock me straight line; This'end portion I confine or restrict at several points and, simultaneouslyat such pointsof confinement or restriction, I perform the several acts or steps'by which the stock is maintained in motion at a constant rate of speed and during such motion is subjected to forces which continuously and progressively convert it by. The process begins with the above described continuous source of supply of flat strip stock 1, at the point A and extends to the point J; that is, the process is continuously carried on and fully completed within the space between the lines or points A and J.', I prefer to use strip stock 1, in bundle or reel form, and the constantly replenished reel R is .shown at the left hand end of Fig. 1. The end portion of the stock which I position and maintain in a straight line as aforesaid, and which is operated upon at various points, is (o-extensive with the distance between the lines A and J; but as hereinafter described, during the greater part of the time, the straight portion of the tion of the stock in a straight line I limit it to movement in a longitudinally straight path by confining or laterally restricting It at approximately the points indicated by letters A, B, B, C, C, D, E. F, F, G and H. I impart constant speed longitudinal movement to the straightportion of the stock, and obviously to the whole of the stock, by grasping and pulling forward upon that portion of the stock which lies in the division F-G. By such action I exert tension upon the stock, rearwardly toward the source of supply. In other words Iconstantly maintain under tension that portion of the stock which lies inthe division F--A and simultaneously drive the stock forward at constant speed toward the point tubing with its edges in' abutment along a ing of successively measured pieces or lengths; together with incidental and interme'diate steps whereby the tension upon the stock-is maintained at cross sectional constants in all stages and warping is prevented, which insures the delivery of the tubing in straight, non-distorted condition. Thus at a pointadjacent the reel R, I position suitable forming tools or dies 2 and 3 and by proper use thereof I cause the flat stock' while traversing the space BC to gradually and in a cross sectionally equal manner form into a tube with its edges in longitudinal abutment along a straight line. I Willhereafter refer to this step as the forming ofthe tubing.

'At the point B I manipulate orcontrol the edges of the stock in such manner as to cause the seam to progressively form upon a line that is parallel with and directly above the axis of the tubing. This step is accomplished by means of thetool 4 and will be hereinafter referred .to as the positioning of the seam of the tubing. As stated I confinethe stock at the point C. Before it I reaches that point it assumes tubular form and to there hold the stock, I apply thereto tools which prevent its lateral movement in any direction. The tools which I usually employ and here show, are grooved metallic parts or rolls 5, between which I pass the tubing. These tools are so constructed and positioned that they leave the seam edges of the tubing exposed between them.- The steps performed by means of these tools 5 will be hereinafter referred to as the positioning and holding of. the tubing against lateral movement and exposing the seam edges thereof. As will be presently explained the positioning of' the seam andthis exposing of the seam edges have. to do with the welding thereof. At the same time, and using the. same tools 5 for the purpose, I not only practically encompass the tubing at the, point C, but also hold and press the abutting seam edges firmly together at, that point.

This step will be hereinafter re ferred to as holding-and pressing together the seam edges during the application of heat. And further, preferably with the same tools 5, I continuously chillthe tubing, maintain a low temperature circumferentially throughout the same, at a point C, omitting the chilling effect only in the seam edges which are exposed between the tools or rolls 5. This ste will be hereinafter referred to as the chilling of the tubing at the welding point, and the function of this step is to retain substantially the full strength of the tubing at the welding point and thus prevent the stretching or distorting of the tubing by the heavy tension to which it is subjected. Having thus prepared the tubing for welding I apply heat at the point C to the seam edges which are exposed at that point and I so localize or confine the heat that but a small portion, longitudinally considered, is raised .to the welding'point. This step of my process willbe hereinafter referred to as uniting or welding the seam edges of the tubing.

Obviously as the stock is in constant forward motion, I am able to weld the seam progressively as fast as fresh seam edges enter the zone or locality of heat. The uniting. of the edges'by heat may be accomplished by brazing the said edges but I do not stop with a weld of that character; instead I actually unite the edges autogenously by the simultaneous movement, holding or positioning, lateral pressure and heat application here described. The tool or appliance that I prefer to use comprises .an

oxy-acetylene gas torch G. I hold the nozzle 6 of this torch directly above the seam -edges which are exposed between the rolls 5 and play the intense flame directly upon -said edges at that point. The flame is directed downwardly and rearwardly toward the approaching metal.

I carefully position the seam edges in a 7 straight line as before explained and also secure the torch in fixed relation to the seam edges, to assure uniformity of effect fromthe flame. As the tubing passes forward under tension, the hot flame reduces the abutted edges of the tubing to a fused state whereupon as theyare held against warping or distending'they necessarily flow or weld together. In closely observing the action of the seam edges under the flame it will be found that as the. edges approach the short, narrow and intensely hot welding flame,

they are partially heated by the corona of 1 but are nevertheless held closely is caused to set and the weld is completed before the united seam portions leave the immediate restraint or influence of the holding or pressure effecting tools. As an incidental step I prefer to cool the hot freshly united seam edge portions directly after they pass the welding zone, using Water the welding torch. This step will be liere-' lnafter referred to as removing the .Weld bur. j

Another of the simultaneous acts which I perform upon the stock is as follows: The initially formed tubing comprises the transversely formed or bent flat strip and sits circumference is substantially equal to the original width of the stock 1. It is rare that this corresponds to the circumference and diameter required in the finished tubes. Furthermore I find that I can considerably improve the weld portion of the tubing by circumferential compression of the tubing. Therefore after removing the weld bur, I further utilize the forward movement and tension of the stock and by means of a fixed tool or tools I circumferentially. compress and draw down the tubing to an exact given or specified diameter and cross-section. This is done at the point E and a tool which I find useful comprises a die 9 of less diameter than the initial tubing. The tubing is drawn through this die 9 and obviously I "thereby accomplish the reduction and sizing of the tubing as rapidly as it is welded and without intermediate handling of the tub-- ing, also without pause in or interruption of the production of tubing. By changing or regulating the size of the die, I am able to produce various sizes of tubes from a single size of flat stock. Throughout the several steps herein set forth I am careful to so position the several tools and to use and operate them in such manner as to maintain a cross sectionally uniform tension in every partof the stock which lies within the division indicated by the vertical lines A and F. This step is important for I thereby avoid unequal stretching. warping or distortion of the stock and resultant tubing;

in other words, I make the tubing both initially and finally straight. Through thus maintaining the tubing in straight condition in all stepsit becomes unnecessary to the moment the stock is drawn into this di-.

which I generally use in the manufacture of tubes, requires the use of a strong powerfully actuated tool or mechanism which will not crush, mar or distort the tubing and yet will be adequate to the overcoming of the obstacles and resistances offered by the metal stock itself and by the other operations thereon.

For the purpose of claspingthe tubing circumferentially and effecting circumferentially uniform pull or tension thereon, I employ an appliance 10 which is in nature of an endless belt positioned in the space FG.

This belt carries pairs of clamping jaws set I end to end thereon. The jaws are shaped to fit the tubing and each pair when closed together thereon practically iucloses the portion'of the tubing embraced. As will presently appear the straight upper stretch of the belt parallels thev tubing. The jaws are limited to movement transversely toward and from the tubing and are carried forward in continuous series by the rotation of the belt. The jaws which at any given instant constitute the upper or working stretch of the device are in exact alinement with the tubing. They are positively closed against the tubing and the strength of their frictional engagement therewith is such that in moving forward the jaws are prevented from slipping'upon the tubing and the latter is pulled ordrirwn through the preceding tools or dies. Irotate the belt at constant speed and cause the several pairs of jaws to successively close upon the tubing to impart movement to the tubing and to open approximately at the end of the straight stretch of the belt. By clasping the'tubing in this manner, that is substantially the whole circumference of the tubing, the pull or tension is equalized throughout the circumference of the tubing, and in consequence I am able to conduct this' step of my process without distorting or warping the straight tubing which enters this pulling device. As before remarked the clasping pressure whereby I secure frictional engagement of such strength as to make the movement of the stock positive, is carefully regulated to avoid crushing the tubing. In drawing the stock forward in the manner from and beyond the drawing device.

' Without any other or intermediate steps,

and without being in any 'way stopped, the tubing is thus posltioned in readiness for the .remaining steps of the process. I support the forwardly moving stock at convenient points as at H and I to maintain it in straight condition and define its path of movement. Near the delivery end of the drawing device I place a cutting off tool 11.

This marks the inner end point from which I measure the tubes as they are produced and I operate the cut off device at the in- 'stant that the given or specified length of tubing has been, projected beyond this point. I employ a measuring tool or appliance of which one part is a gage 12. In the course of the process I shift this gage toward and from said inner end measuring point, as required 'to determine the exact lengths of successive tubes;

As shown in the drawing, I position thechanging the distance between the tools And during this movement I sever the tubingiat said inner end measuring point. At

that time, I also remove the gage and if the nexttube is to be of different length, I readjust the gage for co-action with the newly presented end of the stock. Obviously the 'tube which is severed will fall down out of i the way and will not interfere with the re-- .turn ofthe cut of tool to the inner end measuring point; nor does the severed or complete tube interfere with or stop the continued forward movement of the stock.

As a precaution against distorting the tubing at the cut off point when the tube is sev-I cred, I prefer to momentarily circumferentially clasp or clamp the tubing close to the cut off but release the-tubing at the instant following the action of the cutoff tool. It will now be obvious that my process is continuous; and that the operatlons upon and the strains imposed up Thus in drawing the stock I am careful to maintain 'a constant and .unvarymg tension and am also careful to conduct all operationsat one rate of speed. In employing the tools by which I efiect the progressive movement, formation and finishing of the stock, Ifix their positions with respect to one another and do not change the positions. It follows that the portion of the stock between any two operating points is constant' on each portion of the stock,,are uniform wlth the operations andstrains upon every other portion thereof.

as to quantit length and state or condition notwithstan ing-the fact that the stock is in constant forward movement. conditions the production of tubing may be carried on indefinitely, at a constant speed, and the tubing produced is not only straight and therefore of great commercial value as compared with the tubing of commerce, but is also of uniform cross section, uniform strength and uniform composition. Uniformity of composition is insured by the intrinsic uniformity of the flat strip stock and bythe fact that in my process the stock is not subjected to-ex'cessive' periods of heat or to stresses or strains which yveaken, disrupt or alter the constitution of the stock. As each tube is made by cutting or separating it directly from the parent stock, and as eachtube produced is of individual predeter-g mined or specified length and requires no further trimming or cutting, it is obvious that my process is conducted wholly without waste of material.

By merely altering the sizes of the finishing die and pulling jaws, I

can produce various sizes of tubing from the 1 same stock. Those who are familiar with the ordinary processes of manufacturing tubing will at once perceive that many steps and operations which are inherent to the older processes are entirely eliminated and avoided in and by my herein described continuous process. In marked contrast to present day processes, I am able to conduct my entire process (except the gaging or measuring ste )within a space little more than ten feet in length and of'less width;

Under these A and it is further apparent that my process is conducted with tools and machinery of .a y

cost which is buta fraction of the-cost ofthe equipment for carryingout the-older proc- .esses. r I

To the end that every detail of'my-procj a ess, as practised with the herein sown tool s,

may be more certainly understood, I will 1 now more fully describe the construction and operation of these tools. and mecha-' msms. 1

In the drawings, Z represents a table or bench on,which I prefer to fix the several tools and whereon most of the steps of the process are conducted. The construction of the forming tools or mechanism is disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 22 and 23. As indicated therein, I may form the strip into a tube by means of two sets of forming-dies 2 and 3. The first set comprises one ormore pairs of rotary dies or rolls 2, 2, which shape the strip to semi-circular form in cross section.

These rolls "are mounted on shafts 2 and 2*, held in standards 2 and connected by equal speedspur gears 2 and 2. The strip from the reel enters the rolls through an adjust able guide 2 which may serve as an initial die. Onleaving the forming rolls the strip enters a stationary formipg die 3, comprising an annular die 3* andtapered mandrel stock to tightly, close together. I sometimes relieve the pulling strain on the stock bydriving the forming rolls 2, as by means of 3 in a standard 3, the mandrel being-adjfistable on the block 3. Thesleeve 3 con- .taining the die 3 has .a flaringor tapered receiving throat 3, which may assist in shaping the strip of metal .as-i t passes through the same. By adjustment of the parts 3 and 3, I cause the edges-of. the

when in the rolls 2, 2; Fig. 3 shows its form at the moment that it is about to enter the die 3; and Fig. 3 shows the form of the tube as it emerges from the die 3. The edges of the metal strip are indicated by the character 6, throughout the drawings; and as shown in Fig. 3, these edges are in substantial abutment when the tube leaves the forming die 3, and. form the seam which is to be closed. T

To prevent the formation of a wavy seam and prepare the tubing for reception by the welding mechanism, I employ a tube-seampositioning device 4:, which limits the seam to a vertical plane which includes the axis of the tubing. The tube seam positioning device 4 may be a part' of the forming mechanism and is one of the tools which I use in welding the tubing. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 6, the positioner is at the throat of the die 3. It is a hardened steel cross bar 4 fixed to a collar 4: which is rotatable on the sleeve 3 A worm gearing 4 is provided for rotating the collar and cross barA The ends of the bar 4: bear on the edges of the stock, see Fig. 3 and by turningor tiltin the bar one or the other edge of the partlally formed stock may be depressed, and in this manner the tendency I I of the strip to creep or twist laterally or circumferentially in the dies maybe cor rected, thereby insuring a straight seam, which by means of this device and the rolls 5, I am able to position in the exact manner required for the welding of the seam edges.

The welding tools are best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8. One elementof the welding mechanism is the oxy-acetylene gas torch 6 of which 6 is the burner tip or nozzle, and 5, 5, are the holding pressing and chilling rolls. The tension on the tube tends to close the seam but these rolls insure the desired position and condition of the tubing with respect to the torch. Y The rolls rotate freely in contact with the'tubing. Each roll contains a peripheral groove 5 conformed to the shape of the side of the tubing. Referlin t6 Fig; i is a will teat. that at an occupy a horizontal plane and that the tube passes betweenithem, and is nearly encom- I manipulating the adjusting screws shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the two rolls 5may be separated or moved together as required to correctly proportion "their pressure upon the tubing. The tops of the rolls rise above the tubing andin eflect, form a deep groove having the tube seam edges at its bottom. The nozzle of the welding torch entersthis groove in position to direct theflame upon the seam edges at a point betweenthe two rolls, in other words at the point where the tube is most securely: held. The-rolls are of such size that they rapidly absorb and radiate the heat communicated to them and serve to-chill or cool all parts of the tube not exposed between the rolls. They may be additionally cooled with water supplied from pipes 5 and overflowing through the ducts 5. The torch is of an approvedtype, comprising the nozzle or tip'6 'and gas conducting. pipes 6 equipped with valved nipples for the flexible gas pipes 6 that supply oxygen and acetylene from suitable sources,- (not shown). The welding torch is supported in such manner that it may be quickly adjusted to working position or moved away. 6 are brackets carryinga normally fixed arm 6,- pivotedto which is a torch carrying lever 6 Stop shoulders 6 limit the downward movement of'the'lever. A split carrying block 6 contains a swivel mounting 6 for the torch proper- The-part 6 is connected to the lever 6 by a horizontal stud. This arrangement permits vertical adjustment of the torch; also rotary adjustment of the nozzle. Accurate adjustment of the nozzle is obtained by a spring resisted thumb screw 6 connecting the torch carrying block to the sustaining lever 6. Metal which is vaporized by the welding flame sometimes; condenses upon the. tip of the nozzle and tends to distort the welding flame, and to maintain a uniform flame I employ a clearing device, the same comprising a metal finger 6 on a spring returned lever 6 pivoted at 6 see Figs. 3, 7 and 8. One of the two rolls 5 has pins 6' which strike and operate the lever 6, thereby reciprocating the finger 6 across the end of the nozzle, to periodically clean it.

The bur removing tool 8 appears in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7, and is preferably a planer knife, tool or blade which is rigidly held by a block or standard that contains the reduc

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