Frequently Asked Questions

Quality Components Company (QCC) is an American manufacturer of oxy-fuel cutting torches, tips and related equipment based in Mentor, Ohio. QCC was founded in 1975 as Quality Repair Company, a torch service and repair center for local steel mills. It produced its first torch in 1985 and became Quality Components Company in 1999. Today QCC designs, engineers and machines its torches, tips and equipment in-house, including products for several of the top brands in the industry. Learn more about QCC.

Yes. QCC torches are made, machined and assembled in the USA. Every torch, tip and component is designed and precision machined in-house in Ohio by QCC’s own technicians using domestically sourced materials, which gives QCC full control over quality and service.

QCC equipment is used in steel mills, foundries, recycling yards, shipyards, steel service centers and the railroad industry. Common applications include caster cutting, emergency caster backup, fabrication, powder cutting, steel conditioning and processing recycled metal.

It depends on the torch series. QCC handheld cutting torches cut up to 60″: the 3000 Series up to 16″, the 4000 and 5700 Series up to 36″ and the 6000 & 7000 Series up to 60″. For machine cutting, the 80 Series cuts up to 25″, the 524 Series up to 30″ and the patented QC Series post mix torch cuts more than 70″ thick.

The difference is where the oxygen and fuel gas mix. In a pre mix torch, the gases mix inside the torch before they reach the tip. In a tip mix torch, they mix inside the cutting tip, a design QCC uses to deliver greater flow rates, reduce maintenance and improve safety. In a post mix torch, the gases mix after they leave the tip, which suits very thick machine cutting. QCC offers machine cutting torches in all three styles.

The QC Series is QCC’s patented post mix machine cutting torch for billets, blooms and slabs up to 70″ thick. Its thru-flow design eliminates disruptions in the gas passages to improve flow, so it cuts faster and uses less fuel. Four models cover different ranges: QC1 up to 30″, QC2 up to 40″, QC3 up to 55″ and QC4 up to 70″. Barrels come in 1⅜” to 3″ diameters, up to 84″ long, air cooled or water cooled.

Measured at the torch inlet while flowing, a QC Series torch requires a cutting oxygen supply of at least 1,000 CFH at 120 PSI, a preheat oxygen supply of at least 200 CFH at 10-18 PSI and a propane or natural gas supply of at least 300 CFH at 10-18 PSI.

Yes. QCC builds its torches to order and manufactures everything in-house, so torches can be modified and fine-tuned for your application. For example, 5700 Series handheld torches are available in any length from 24″ to 216″ and 4900 Series powder cutting torches in any length from 36″ to 120″ with a 180°, 90° or 75° head angle.

An emergency torch is a backup for when a caster cutting machine torch fails mid-cut. The operator places it on the material and drags it across to finish the cut. QCC emergency torches have extended lengths for reach, a skid that protects the tip and holds the proper cutting angle, a full-length cover that protects the tubes and a locking lever for consistent flow and less operator fatigue.

Powder cutting is an oxy-fuel process that feeds iron powder into the flame so the torch can cut materials standard oxy-fuel cutting struggles with, such as stainless steel, cast iron and nickel. QCC’s 4900 Series powder cutting torches use a specially designed powder nozzle and a powder valve lever and have a recommended cutting range of up to 24″.

A complete powder cutting system has four components: a 4900 Series powder cutting torch, 140 Series powder cutting tips, a powder dispenser and iron powder. The torch needs a cutting oxygen supply of at least 4,000 CFH at 125 PSI and runs on alternate fuel gases only, not acetylene. The iron powder is delivered with nitrogen or compressed air at 50-100 PSIG.

QCC iron powder is formulated for powder cutting: fast flowing, high density and over 99.4% pure iron, with a uniform particle size and shape for more complete burning and a higher flame temperature. It comes in 50 lb. resealable buckets or 2,500 lb. bulk pallets, typically ships in 1-2 weeks and should be stored in a cool, dry place.

QCC makes cutting tips in-house for handheld, machine and powder cutting, plus scarfing and thermite heating. Handheld tips include the 229 Series (up to 12″), 136/149 Series (up to 36″), 140 and 240 Series (up to 25″) and 213 and 313 Series (over 50″). Machine tips include the 139 Series (up to 20″), 140 and 240 Series (up to 25″), 8090 Series (over 25″) and patented QC Series (over 40″).

Scarfing is a steel conditioning process that removes surface defects such as inclusions, pitting and cracks from steel slabs. An oxy-fuel torch and tip preheat the surface to its molten temperature, then a flow of oxygen oxidizes the molten steel and removes the imperfections. QCC offers 6000 and 7000 Series scarfing torches and 250 Series scarfing tips that treat up to 3⅛”.

Thermite heating tips preheat rail ends before thermite welding. QCC’s 700 Series thermite heating tips deliver the required BTUs precisely between the rail ends for even preheat from top to bottom, which helps produce a durable, long-lasting weld. They’re made of stainless steel and brass and use a Harris-style connection.

A portable track cutting machine, sometimes called a bug, carries a torch along a straight V-groove track at a controlled, variable speed for precise, repeatable cuts. QCC machines run on an electric motor and belt drive, tracks can be stacked for longer travel and the machines can be fitted for oxy-fuel cutting, arc welding or plasma cutting. With two or more torches, they cut multiple or compound bevels in a single pass.

Yes. QCC designs and builds gas distribution systems, including manifolds, station drops and high efficiency station drops, in standard or custom arrangements and tests them in-house before delivery. QCC’s patented flowmeters measure multiple gases with one unit and are accurate to within ±4% of full range, exceeding the U.S. Navy requirement of 5%. QCC also makes 47, 92 and AA Series pressure regulators.

Yes. QCC started as a torch repair shop and still offers in-house maintenance, inspection, refit and rebuild services. Experienced technicians disassemble, clean, rebuild and test used equipment and can rework QCC products to like-new condition. If you’re seeing poor cutting performance, QCC technicians can also travel to your facility to diagnose the problem.

Yes. QCC sets up product demos, walks customers through installations and follows up after the purchase to make sure equipment performs as expected. QCC’s engineering team also designs products around specific needs, from a single custom torch to a total system solution.

Call QCC at 440-255-0606, email info@qccmfg.com or use the contact form. QCC responds to form requests within 24-48 hours. Real people answer the phone Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Distributors can also contact QCC for application guidance and custom solutions.