carbon arc questions

[SE18]

My uncle in upstate NY has been using a carbon arc attachment on his stick welder for a few decades to heat metal. I didn't get a chance to see it but was curious about it. I've got oxyacy but the gas is really expensive so I'm looking into something lower cost to heat metal. Maybe this.

Where do you get these? Are they really worth it?

Can they also make holes in steel?

Do the twin carbon sticks need replacing?

Thanks (I'm using a marquette WW-2 era stick welder)

 

[Old Iron]

You mite google it I don't think they make them any more But I could be wrong. The rods wear down and need replacing. I have brazes and heated metal to bend but never a whole. If you get one besure and wear a welding hood unless you want a good sun burn. Ask me how I know.

Hers one on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Arc-...faultDomain_0&hash=item27d88f5663#ht_25wt_917

Plans to build one. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-carbon-arc-torch-for-your-220-volt-stick-we/

Paul

 

[Tony Wells]

We had a nice thread a while back discussing their use. You might want to search for it and have a read. Of course, electricity isn't cheap, but it may be cheaper than gas where you are. I'm not really seeing anything drastic here on gas prices.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hi SE18,
i had a thread a while back that may be of assistance, click the link below, i hope the info helps out!

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/15015-Twin-Carbon-Arc-Torch


mike)

 

[SE18]

thanks for the resources. They don't look too hard to make. Would o/a goggles be ok or does it need to be a helmet

 

[Tony Wells]

ABSOLUTELY NO GOGGLES! A hood is necessary. The arc is at least as strong as any other form or electric arc welding, perhaps more intense. Long sleeves, button up collar, etc. It is too easy to get a bad burn with an arc torch.

 

[shovel80]

The only Carbon Arc I've ever used was for blasting away cast iron making a "V" in order to weld broken castings back together.....Talk about Noisy and Hot!!

Terry

 

[SE18]

so most replies thus far use the device for cast iron I see, brazing model. Guess the "wide" flame/heat contributes to heating up the rest of the casting so the issue of heat in just a small area while cold in the other obviates the worries about causing structural fracturing (the molecular strength of the steel's internal geometry). With normal oxyacy, the method is usually to heat up the cast iron part in an oven or just with acy and then proceeding to the brazing.

Anyway, I did bid up to $20 for the ebay one. If I don't get it I'll order some carbon rods and build my own.

on the older link supplied, there's old instructions for its using, indicating that carbon rod size fits the job at hand so looks like it's handy to have different size rods.

 

[Old Iron]

The torch terry is talking about looks like this. I have one but I haven't used it is years. If you good enough you can shave a weld off two plates welded togather and just leave a little under cut.

Paul

 

[Ulma Doctor]

the torch pictured by Old Iron is a gouging torch, it is not suitable for brazing or heating metal.


the twin carbon arc torch is used for heating, brazing, etc., it looks similar to this below: