Abstract: A torch carriage assembly for use in bevel cutting a pipe has a ring gear which rotates concentrically about the pipe longitudinal axis. A shaft extending perpendicularly from the ring gear carries a torch arm block assembly which positions the cutting torch in relation to the pipe. A bracket is adaptable between a first configuration prohibiting and a second configuration permitting rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis for bevel cutting round pipes and out-of-round pipes, respectively. In the second configuration, a guide wheel assembly mounted on the shaft traces the surface of the pipe. A tension assembly continually urges the guide wheel assembly into contact with the surface of the pipe so that the angular position of the torch arm block assembly accurately reflects the out-of-round conditions of the pipe.

Abstract: A carriage for guiding a cutting, beveling or welding torch on the surface of a metal work piece has a chassis which is transported along a main path on the work piece by a magnetic wheel assembly driven by a reversible motor mounted on the chassis. A rack and pinion assembly mounted on the chassis is driven by another reversible motor mounted on the chassis to transport a torch holder along a path perpendicular to the main path. A remote controller electrically connected to the drive motors is manually operable to simultaneously permit forward or backward transport of the chassis, right or left transport of the holder and variation of the angular velocity of the chassis motor and the rack and pinion motor so as to accurately trace any cutting path on the work piece with the torch. The elevation of the torch above the work piece and the angle of incidence between the torch and the work piece are manually adjustable.