Ag Mech Torch Cutting Contest

[TX OMFS]

I don't know sh** about welding, but I'm in charge of the torch cutting contest for the Bexar county agricultural mechanics show at the county livestock show in December. We will have middle & high school kids competing in torch skills. I need some ideas for the contests.

For example, burn a hole through a piece of plate. Hole has to let a 3/8 bolt drop in without dropping through. Speed cut through angle or pipe. Stuff like that.

Anyone have ideas or experience?

 

[Gordo]

Sub-contract the duties to someone who knows about such things...

 

[TX OMFS]

I have professional welders helping me. The question is what kind of events would be fun & entertaining.

 

[Vaquero]

45° cut on lined production pipe.
If you've done it, you'll understand.

 

[Gordo]

I would be surprised if all the contestants can even get past lighting an acetylene torch.

 

[msharley]

Shapes....Say like the ones IMHSA uses? (chicken, pig, turkey & ram) Stars? Dollar or Cent signs?



Straight cuts..

Neither with "shark teeth"...

Bevel cut...should be no slag on the "keeper" side...

Round holes (3/8" is too small)...go for 3/4" or 1" ...

 

[TexasRedneck]

If you can, some brazing skills. Have them braze 2 pieces of cast iron together, then strength-test them.

WELD with that torch using clothes-hanger wire as the welding "rod".

Any of the above skills tests w/shapes....but a timed event, with a maximum of 3 minutes. The average spectator is going to be bored after a few minutes - so keep things moving.

If you get into a tie situation, have them do any of the above w/their OFF hand.

 

[Gordo]

Fusion weld 20 ga. sheet steel, no filler.

 

[TX OMFS]

I would be surprised if all the contestants can even get past lighting an acetylene torch.

Ever been to an ag mech show?

 

[deemus]

I built a cattle trailer as a junior in HS.

It was my AG project. My dad used it till he died.

Many school AG shops now have plasma cutters.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Couple of ways to go with this.

Head to head race: take a section of I-beam; contestant must cut a 1” profile section off. First won finishing wins. Double elimination, losers go to losers bracket, winners keep advancing. If the section doesn’t maintain at least 1” thickness on the cut off part, they’re DQ’d. Only the other challenger can challenge against thickness.

‘Art’ skills. 1/4” sheet. Contestants cut a 4H clover to a spec. Fastest time wins, deviation from spec adds a penalty time per deviation.

 

[andre3k]

What metal is being supplied?

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[benenglish]

Suggestion - Require all contestants be fully clothed.

 

[TX OMFS]

What metal is being supplied?

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TBD

 

[TexasRedneck]

These boys are gonna be working on the farm/ranch. Should be from a salvage yard, with plenty of rust/scale/old paint on it. It's easy to do good work on clean steel - the trick is to make GOOD welds on steel on an old trailer/gate/cattle guard.
Oh - and toss in some overhead welds, too.....<evil grin> I might add that everything I've suggested I've done - and I'm not NEARLY as good as many others here likely are.

 

[seeker_two]

Suggestion - Require all contestants be fully clothed.

Well....that takes all the fun out of it....

 

[TexasRedneck]

Well....that takes all the fun out of it....

You ain't seen the same country boys in Ag that I have.......