What is best Carbon Air Arc torch for gouging?

admin

Hey,I have a really old Victor torch rig - says "Made in USA" on it and is as new after lo these many years - reallygreat quality and all that.I looked into the ArcAir torches (Victor) as I'm about to get a Gouging rig but they are all made in Mexico.The much cheaper competitor (Ancor) is made in China.  So the question is, if these are the only games in town, and in any case what's the best shot for a high qualitycarbon arc rig with whip and all that.Thanks
Reply:Hello mman, often times you will find that geographical location will be the factor that influences choice. In my neck of the woods I prefer the Arcair units whether they are made in Mexico or not. Radnor has one that looks like the Arcair but my experiences with these have generally proved out that they are sub-par in materials and workmanship. I honestly have not even seen other manufacturers than these although I know that there are certainly others available. That's my $.02, hopefully others will have some suggestions for you as well. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:i've only used arcair brand. my rig is ancient but reliable.  i bet if you looked at craig's or fleabay you could score.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I've only ever used the Radnor Pro 4000. The only issue I have with it is that the air valve leaks so it's always hissing. That drives me crazy but other than that it works fine. Really when you think about it it's just a stinger with some air jets in it so there's not much to go wrong with any brand. Execpt the air valve...My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:I had a Profax and it was fine . But found an Arcair K-4000 cheap so that is what i use now ...Sold the profax  for the same price i got the arcair forBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Arcair is the most popular. I'm pretty sure they all do the same thing. Originally Posted by Iain PI've only ever used the Radnor Pro 4000. The only issue I have with it is that the air valve leaks so it's always hissing. That drives me crazy but other than that it works fine. Really when you think about it it's just a stinger with some air jets in it so there's not much to go wrong with any brand. Execpt the air valve...
Reply:I have used several diffrent ones, Radnor, profax and arc air and they all leaked air to some degree.
Reply:Technically they aren't supposed to leak but most of them do which isn't a big deal. Arcair X-treme are the best but Arcair also has the Cutskill line that is a lower end. Arcair has super heavy duty gougers too for foundries and railroads. Keep in mind you need a lot of air to run a K4000, 28 CFM. I'd be more concerned about having a heavy duty enough air compressor to keep up with a gouger without blowing up.
Reply:I've burned a lot of carbons with Arcair gougers. I don't care where they are made, I prefer them. To get the unit to stop leaking air, just tap the air button on something solid like the steel your gouging. The air button is just not closed all the way.There are methods you can use to conserve air while gouging. Many times you don't need the full air supply. You can only open the air button half way or part way. This is especially the case when piercing a hole and you want to reduce blow back on yourself. Of course, I always have full leathers on and ear protection when gouging.Last edited by snoeproe; 09-24-2015 at 07:03 AM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I have a Radnor, I hate it with an unbridled passion.Miller Big 40GMiller HF-251 D High FreqVictor OA Lincoln 135 MigMK 3A CobramaticBridgeport J HeadCronatron OxylanceRadnor ACAG TorchWeldcraft TIG Torches1 blown knee and two 5 Gallon pails away from being a hero.
Reply:I bought three ArcAir torches from a resaler years ago, one was a K4000 NIB old stock. Think I gave like $75 for them.I kept the K4000 and sold the other two, which were older versions of the same, more or less. I like the ArcAir brand, but it's pretty much all I've got any real time on. Mine leaks a little too. No big deal to me.I did purchase the Tweco quick connect for it, so you can easily disconnect it and store it in a tool box. As Iain said, they're kind of all the same, some being of higher quality than others.Look for a good used ArcAir on eBay. Even the Mexican built ones are good quality. Just about everything Radnor puts their name on is junk. Spend a little extra and get the ArcAir brand.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I got my arc air off ebay. I can't remember what I paid, but for a NIB unit it was cheap- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Cape Cod GaryI have a Radnor, I hate it with an unbridled passion.
Reply:Can you use the k4000 for smaller 1/8 or 3/16 rodSent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by jd-11Can you use the k4000 for smaller 1/8 or 3/16 rodSent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk
Reply:Most are copys and parts will fit ,all made over there and all the rods come from the same china plant.Arcair,Swintec, Radnor ,Profax all copies!   Linde made their own and made a small one Arkey been lookig for one.
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weldlol, lol.    i have two  used arc airs also, one leaks.   i favor a torch too much, because usually don't have the air supply, but when i do  do it, i'm to busy thinking about what are the best ear plugs, not the torch
Reply:How could you stand the noise of arc air without ear plugs ? If you did that on a regular basis, your hearing would not last long.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720