Hey there! So you're looking into Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm and want to know what those cutting test results really mean? We totally get it - we've been developing and selling these for over 10 years now, and honestly, those technical sheets can be pretty confusing at first glance.
Let me break it down for you in plain English, no sales pitch, just the real deal.
What Are we Actually Talking about Here?
The Type T 17.3mm is one of our most popular sizes - that 17.3mm diameter hits the sweet spot for most jobs. Not too thin that it burns out too fast, not too thick that it's overkill for regular work.
First thing first, here's how we set up for a cutting test with Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm
Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm Specs
- Size: 17.3 x 3,000 mm
- Weight: 4.5kg per piece
For our lance specifications, we use the standard Type T which measures 17.3 millimeters in diameter and comes in 3,000 millimeter lengths. Each piece weighs 4.5 kilograms, making it manageable for operators while still packing enough cutting power for serious work.
Target Material for Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm Testing
- Steel grade: SS400 steel block
- Dimensions: 500mm long x 80mm thick
Our target material is an SS400 steel block - a common structural steel grade. The block dimensions are 500 millimeters long by 80 millimeters thick, which provides enough thickness to really challenge the lance while giving us sufficient material length to work with.
Operating Conditions During Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm Cutting Performance
- Oxygen pressure: 11 bar
- Flow rate: 25 m³/h
For operating conditions, we maintain oxygen pressure at 11 bar with a flow rate of 25 cubic meters per hour. This pressure level hits the sweet spot for the Type T - high enough to generate that powerful, focused oxygen stream that creates clean cuts, but not so high that we're wasting gas or creating unstable cutting conditions.
Here's what the test results actually show
Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm cut completely through that 500x80mm steel block in just 1 minute and 43 seconds - that's seriously impressive cutting speed for this professional-grade equipment. During this cut, we consumed 1,306 millimeters of the lance length out of the total 3,000mm available.
Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm cut 500x80mm steel block in 1.43 minutes
Let me break down what this consumption rate means for Thermic Lance Type T efficiency. Using 1,306mm to cut through 500x80mm of solid steel gives us a consumption ratio of about 1.13 - meaning for every millimeter of steel thickness, you're using roughly 1.13 millimeters of lance. That's actually quite efficient when you consider you're cutting through hardened structural steel with the Thermic Lance Type T.
1,306mm lance consumed for 500mm long x 80mm steel thickness
We consumed just 43.5% of the total lance length for this cut, leaving you with over half the Thermic Lance Type T remaining for additional cuts. The straight spark control scored a perfect 10 out of 10, which tells you the oxygen flow is well-controlled and focused. This exceptional performance is thanks to Thermic Lance Type T's unique design featuring a long central hole structure that creates a straight, concentrated, and powerful flame.
The ease of operation also hit 10/10, and honestly, this is where that 4.5kg weight of the Thermic Lance Type T really shows its value. The lance is remarkably lightweight - while Type W of the same size weighs 4.7kg, the Thermic Lance Type T is lighter at just 4.5kg, making it significantly more manageable for extended use. Operators can maintain steady control throughout the entire cut without fatigue affecting their performance.
What really stands out is the Thermic Lance Type T's speed-to-consumption efficiency. Getting through 80mm of SS400 steel in under two minutes while only using 43.5% of your lance - that's the kind of performance that translates to real cost savings on job sites. The Thermic Lance Type T delivers exceptional value for professional cutting applications.
The Stuff that Affects Your Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm Cutting Performance
Here's where I have to be straight with you - those test numbers? They're done under perfect conditions. In the real world, several things can change your results:
- Your oxygen setup: You need good, consistent pressure. I've seen customers struggle because their oxygen system couldn't keep up. The oxygen pressure of 8-12 bar is what you want, and it needs to stay steady.
- Lance quality: Not gonna lie - there are cheap knockoffs out there that'll frustrate the heck out of you. Quality lances burn evenly and consistently. That's why I only stock the good stuff.
- Operator experience: First-time users rarely hit those test numbers right away. There's a learning curve, and that's totally normal. Most of my customers get the hang of it pretty quick though.
- Work conditions: Wind, workspace setup, material positioning - all of this matters more than you'd think.
Let's Talk Money (Because We Know You're Thinking About It)
We always have this conversation with customers because nobody likes surprises:
You've got three ongoing costs:
- The lance itself (and you'll go through quite a bit)
- Oxygen (this is usually the major ongoing expense)
- Labor (but since you're cutting so much faster, this often balances out)
We tell everyone to think about total cost per project, not just the upfront equipment cost. Sometimes spending a bit more on quality equipment saves you money in the long run.
So, What's Next After Reviewing Thermic Lance Type T 17.3mm Test Results?
Look, I could go on about features and benefits, but what you really need to know is this: if the cutting speeds and operating costs work for your situation, you'll probably be really happy with the Type T 17.3mm.
After years of selling Thermic Lance Type T units, we've learned that the best way to make this decision is to see it in action. Those test results we showed you - 1 minute 43 seconds through 500x80mm steel block, 43.5% consumption rate, perfect spark control - they're real numbers from real tests. But we get it, reading about it and seeing it work are two different things.
Here's what we usually tell customers at this point: if you're serious about adding a Thermic Lance Type T to your toolkit, let's set up a demonstration. We'd rather spend an hour showing you exactly what this thing can do than have you buy something that doesn't fit your needs.
We can run it on your specific materials, at our job site, with your team watching via video meeting. That way you'll know exactly what you're getting into - the good, the challenging, and the costs. No surprises, no regrets.
Give us a call or drop us a line. Let's talk about your specific cutting challenges and see if this is the right fit. We promise you'll get straight answers, real numbers, and honest advice - just like we've shared here.
Click the button below to get in touch - we're here to help you figure out if Thermic Lance Type T is what you need, or if we should be looking at something else entirely.
