The WeldingWeb Internet forum has launched a discussion thread dedicated specifically to Oxy-Fuel welding and cutting.

That thread stands to become a full-fledged section on the forum as interest increases and contributions to it expand. As it is, the thread has been live for only a few weeks, and contributors have developed a lively exchange.

The old pros on the site have provided commentary and photos for the ways that they use their oxy-fuel equipment, and they've covered nearly everything from tack welding, brazing and soldering brass to stainless steel to cutting thin and thick sections of metal.

One photo shows a precision-guided cut for sheet metal that uses an oxy-fuel torch, and others show the welds and projects that contributors made with oxy-fuel. Some of the projects are outstanding.

You can find the thread at the following URL: weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=27598.

While you're there, you can read about how OldIron2 — one of the contributors — learned to case-harden metal by making a hammer when he was in 8th grade metal shop class, and that he still uses that hammer.

However, the thread contributors agree that the one photo that makes the site “immortal” was posted by “Makoman1860” and shows his collection of oxy-fuel torches.

Makoman1860 — not his real name, we assume — has 27 torches (not counting tips), and his collection has finely designed and crafted torches that look like museum pieces. Further on in the thread, he posted several close-ups of some of his torches and he artfully speaks his thoughts on the decline of industrial design.

On the other hand, a contributor known as “Denrep” took a more practical look at oxy-fuel equipment. Denrep's photos show how he uses oxy-fuel equipment to heat up parts that are stuck together, so that they can be separated and heavy sections of metal can be cut. and, it is his post that shows precision cutting of metal sheet.

However, one of Denrep's posts has a don't-try-this-at-home quality: how to use oxy-fuel equipment to heat a pan of grits!