Henrob

[Kerry Pinkerton]

I posted a few weeks back about my growing success with my Henrob torch. In the last 2weeks I've grown much more comfortable with this little guy. It is really an amazing tool. I did some really good welding on 20 ga a few months back but hadn't tried the cutting capabilities. Mainly what I'm working on is 1/4, 3/16 and 1/2" tubing and plate

This thing cuts like a saw! I've never used a plasma cutter on plate but this has to be close.

It doesn't like rust or scale on the surface. If I don't clean the metal a little, it will pop when it hits some trash, also the trick seems to be finding just the right feed rate so you don't have to stop.

I needed a piece of 1/2" plate 4" wide and only had 6" available. It was amazing how easily, quickly, and cleanly it cut it. I was able to make a 13" long cut without stopping on my first attempt with 1/2". It actually seemed to work better on 1/2 plate than it does on 1/4" tubing.... it may be something to do with the spark spray because it sure sprays them out!

[JAFO]

I was going to ask if anyone is familiar with the Henrob, but I see that you are. I saw a friend use one at his shop to repair an old rusted out window track for which no replacement part was readily available. It handled the rust ok. I was so impressed with the torch that I bought one. It should be here next week, I'll let you know how it goes.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

I have been getting more and more happy with my Henrob for cutting the 1/4" tubing I'm using for Ewheel frames. However, a problem came up that had an interesting solution.

Every once in a while, the OXY trigger would depress but nothing would happen. This seemed to be a problem that was getting worse so I called Jim Spratley and caught him on his cell. He asked what OXY pressure I was using and I said 20-25. He quickly said that I didn't need more than 8-10.

When I went out to check, I was actually at about 30psi. To my pleasant surprise, at 8-10, the Henrob cuts even BETTER! Much less spray and a cleaner cut that is just as fast as before. PLUS the trigger is easier to pull.

This is an amazing tool!

[Richard K]

Kerry,

I too am getting used to the henrob.

For cutting i use a straight edge guide about 3/8 above the plate. That gives me a straight cut. The thing cuts like a razor. Stright with clean edge.

For 30 years I have not been able to get a consistant cut with my regular setup.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

One other thing about this torch is how LITTLE pressure is required and how sensitive it is to pressure. Too much OXY makes the trigger hard to pull and wastes gas, too much ACY wastes gas and makes it hard to adjust.

I have a CHEAP HF ACY regulator on my bottles ( my Victor died and I needed one quick...someday I'll get the victor rebuilt). It showed ZERO pressure on the bottle guage for 3 days of cutting, probably 20' worth at my burn rate. On my victor torch when the bottle guage got to zero, the regulated guage would not be far behind.

This thing just sips gas which is good for my wallet. I wonder if Cobra will come out with a more comfortable trigger.

Richard, if you're not using the heat shield try it. Makes life much more comfortable.

[clay]

Hey guys! I'm new to the site so pardon my enthusiasm! I've recently bought the henrob torch as well... amazing! not just cutting but welding too, not that my welding experience is vast by any means. I'm lucky enough to be working with a guy that was previously a welder, and after getting the torches had asked him if he couldn't show me what I was doing. He talked me through it briefly while I had the torch flaring ready to just jump in... a quarter of the way into the weld (16ga. mild steel) I was able to finish it just fuse welding the metal (no welding rod)! ...and the weld looked professional! I'd like to point out, and like I said before, I do not have a very long history welding, it has been limited to a brief attempt at stick, after which a bought a MIG, and my only other experience with a torch being cutting. I would strongly suggest to any one looking at getting a welder, whatever kind, think about these torches first, not only does it allow you to weld (just about anything) but cut as well... and easy to learn with great success. Oh, another point, I cut out a small ring in half inch plate with the torches, tested a file on the slag and chucked it up on the lathe to clean it up, my point is it leaves the metal soft and even the slag is machinable to an extent.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Discovered a downside of the Henrob I guess. Not that I'm not still a believer at all.

However, after a LOT of cutting 1/4" tubing, sometimes dragging the bronze tip on the metal, it started to wear and quickly deteriorated once it started. I ordered a couple replacement tips from Jim Spratley (we get a 25% discount on parts if you mention MM) and while waiting for them to come in, I switched over to my normal OxWeld torch. Of course I had to reset my regulators to make it work.

A couple days later the new tips came in and I switched back to the Henrob. First cut was great but after only a foot or two, I noticed the cutting path getting ugly. I had forgotten to set the regulator back to 5 psi and was pushng WAY to much oxygen through the tip. It overheated and basically melted.. It got hot enough that it also messed up the threads on the overcutter adapter. Scratch another tip and 30 bucks for the adapter.

Moral of this story is:

1 - Pay attention to gas settings
2 - Don't drag your tip on the metal.

[clay]

I actually leave my henrob torch at my uncles shop and because no one there has been real quick to accept it, every time I use it I take the standard torch handle off and thread on the henrob undoing the whole process when I'm done. For a while I was setting up the torches by using the number three tip and adjusting the oxygen the way it is suggested, not paying too much attention to the oxy gauge, well I just recently replaced the gauge with a smaller scale gauge and have found this to be much easier. If you know the gauge is on, just set it to five or however much more if your cutting, it makes the whole process a lot easier and you don't waste any gas, haha. I was trying to cut some 3/32 wall tubing at a shallow angle the other day and not paying much attention was having a horrible time getting a good cut, well after messing with the oxy reg a few times I switched from the over cutter to the under cutter... PAY ATTENTION to the thickness your cutting, despite how great the torch works, when they say cut up to this thickness this way, and cut thicker stuff this way, there is a reason.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

I've cut a ton of ewheel legs and lower too arms with my Henrob lately and things were really going great when a splatter plugged the cutting tip. Luckily I had a spare and quickly changed it out. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

The cuts were like a saw blade again. I'd forgotten how clean this thing cuts. I guess the moral of this story is to change the tip every couple tanks of gas. At least if you are cutting thick stuff.

I'm probably running too hot which may be hard on the tip. I find when I set it according to directions I 'lose' the cut every 4 inches or so and have to make a new puddle. Cranking up the pressure a little seems to solve the problem.

[Richard K]

Kerry,

I watched the Henrob Demos at the street rod show recently. When cutting he (not Jim s) someone from Cobra) stessed two points

1. Once the material is hot and ready to start cut... pay attenion only to the cutting tip. The preheat tip at this point is doing nothing.

2. keep the ox tip (cutting tip) 1/16" or a bit more away from the material being cut. Prevents burnt tips.

I was trying to keep the preheat on the cut line ahead of the cut thus not paying attention to the cutting tip.

[hardtailjohn]

Kerry,
There's a company called Aircraft Finishing Systems, that has a clear, ceramic type coating that would be easy to apply to the tip (just dip it.. I've done this on my MIG tips) and will make it last way longer! The coating is only .0003 thick so wont be any problem, and I bet it would save ya bucks in the long run! I've seen it hold up on aluminum with over 2500 degrees applied!
Here's a link... the stuff's called Evershield. Tell them John Hanson sent ya. www.aircraftfinishing.com
John H.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

My problem is not in keeping the tip out of the puddle but the splatter that happens when you 'blow' a starter hole. Sometimes a drop hits the nozzle just right and plugs it up. The evershield looks interesting. Wish they had a smaller quanity. 55 sq ft would cover a LOT of mig tips.

[Butch Duke]

Kerry
You can also drill a hole first instead of using your torch for a starter hole & that would save on your tips.

Specialty Interests
metal shaping,fabrication
& custom painting
360/373/7650
Butch

[hardtailjohn]

Kerry,
I coated the inside of my new MIG gun when I got it, and it seems to repel splatter better than the paste... it's quite the stuff...
John H.