Carbon-Arc Gouging (Video)

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Goodafternoon, everyone!!Heres another video that I just thought I'd share...Recently, a buddy of mine drove down and we made a bunch of videos together, including this one, on Carbon-Arc gouging. It was a commonly requested video and not one I was setup to do, so I was really glad when we made this video with his Arc-Air setup.Anyway, we ran this off a MIG welder (HTP-brand) and it was a blast. Pete explains a little about carbon-arc gouging and cutting, then demonstrates it on a piece of scrap metal... It was awesome! Its loud, messy, and it moves a lot of metal in a hurry. I ran it some in High-School (and again in another video I'll post as soon as its edited), and I really liked it...Well, heres the video. Hope y'all like it [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:this seems useless.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101this seems useless.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseIts great for removing old/bad/defective welds.
Reply:I use my Arcair all the time for gouging out cracks in buckets, and heavy equipment, and as my "magic eraser" to clean up other peoples  crap.....Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101this seems useless.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101this seems useless.
Reply:way quicker than grinding too. I honestly don't understand why anyone could say "this seems useless"... Thats like saying why would you need a Tig set up if you've already got a stick and mig set up. There is always the right tool for the job. and there are always tools that can do a job, but just aren't the right tool for the job. The more tools you have in your tool box, the better off you'll be when different jobs come along.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Actual performance with let's say a Ranger 250 GXT??http://www.red-d-arc.com/pdf/Air%20C...ing%20Data.pdfAmps are there, but how about voltage requirements?  Never used arc air so I don't have a clue.  Max OCV on DC is 28 I believe, and max OCV on AC is 80.  So what's the skinny?Always just used a scarfing torch for cleanup, and it's been ok."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:plasma gouging is where its at! MUCH faster, MUCH hotter, MUCH louder, zero cleanup afterwards, Our particular cavitation units are able to take 90LBS of material off an hr (thats how they rate these machines for those who dont know). no carbon deposits impregnating the base material. Having said that, out in the field off of a truck nothing beats carbon arcs simplitcity and reliability, Attached ImagesLast edited by Pressure_Welder; 06-20-2013 at 03:40 PM.
Reply:Is that a penstock?
Reply:I use one with a trailblazer.  I can gouge two ways. One with a gouge tip on the plasma which leaves a narrow smaller groove.  If I have to remove backhoe teeth shanks or a cutting edge, then the Arcaire is used.  Removes much more metal with fairly good control in areas grinders won't reach.
Reply:Lanse, I always read about arc gouging and never understood it. Thanks for putting something together on this subject. Its a lot quicker than grinding old crap off of metal.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerway quicker than grinding too. I honestly don't understand why anyone could say "this seems useless"... Thats like saying why would you need a Tig set up if you've already got a stick and mig set up. There is always the right tool for the job. and there are always tools that can do a job, but just aren't the right tool for the job. The more tools you have in your tool box, the better off you'll be when different jobs come along.
Reply:Can't say I have heard of running a CAC off of a CV unit, but I have run Hours and Hours of it off of a CC unit.  You have to have a good source of air as most CAC torches are air hogs.  Even the small ones are going to eat most homeowner's air compressors for a snack.  They won't even qualify for lunch.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101In the field I work in people would laugh their *** off at you for bringing out this rig. I can do just as well with a torch and a washing tip. different strokes different folks I guess.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101In the field I work in people would laugh their *** off at you for bringing out this rig. I can do just as well with a torch and a washing tip. different strokes different folks I guess.
Reply:It more like laughing at someone using a chainsaw while you used an axe
Reply:Originally Posted by Rock knockerIs that a penstock?
Reply:If you are doing a lot of arc air gouging you should use an overly large welder.  250 amps is bare minimum.  Most shops use a 400 or 500 amp machine or if they have it a 1000A  Gouging is very hard on the transformers.   Use constant current if possible.  With constant voltage each time the carbon touches the amperage on the rod skyrockets and the carbon explodes off the end of the rod driving carbon into the base material.  The bits of carbon end up in the weld bead and it makes for a brittle weld and underbead cracking.  Several years ago I helped write some instructional materials and I phoned ArcAir for their input.  A guy phoned me back long distance and confirmed that they do not recommend using constant voltage settings for the reason above.  I have found a lot of old guys like me who will change to CV because the arc does not stick as much and is smoother.  Don't do it.    I have a suspicion that some bend tests that I saw being done that required a back gouge failed because the upgrader set the machine at CV.  The weld looked fine but when bent it fractured.
Reply:Machines like some of Lincolns Powerwave- Invertec with a Gouging setting are all CC. Once again I cannot watch a video where the info, and setup is all wrong..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XMachines like some of Lincolns Powerwave- Invertec with a Gouging setting are all CC. Once again I cannot watch a video where the info, and setup is all wrong..
Reply:Air arc is anything but useless. I describe it like plasma cutting with depth control. The more I use it, the more I wonder why I don't use it more! Too bad you weren't closer lanse, I can't wait to try these."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Pressure_Welderworking on the liner which the turbine sits inside. 3" thick stainless.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseSoundsssss like sumbody should start making their own videos then Haha.And to everyone else, thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed itYou gotta wonder why anyone would say that arc gouging was a waste and laughable.  What kind of trade would laugh at something like that.
Reply:I could see Bostick questioning using a medium sized CV machine as a CAC power source, but he seems to be comdeming all CAC as a process.  Which is a little ignorant
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XMachines like some of Lincolns Powerwave- Invertec with a Gouging setting are all CC. Once again I cannot watch a video where the info, and setup is all wrong..
Reply:You and mister "I've never done this before but here's my opinion on it anyway" Bahahaha, yeah, you two have fun with that That reminds me... I meant to figure out the ignore list on this here site :wink:[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:@ Lanse - cool look at A-CAC. IRT to the poster with all the WhizDumb, this: "the office is a dangerous place from which to view the world"  Rip It!"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749LMAO!For someone who hasn't used one or seen the benefits, it's impossible to understand.There's nothing like running one off a big Diesel engine drive with the big carbons. Cuts thru 2 1/2" flange H beam like butter.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manAir arc is anything but useless. I describe it like plasma cutting with depth control. The more I use it, the more I wonder why I don't use it more! Too bad you weren't closer lanse, I can't wait to try these.Attachment 415841
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XGreat idea. I could make a living correcting all the misinformation posted on your dog, and pony show.I think Sam has beat me to the punch on that deal
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungYou are going to need a lot of machine for those 3/8s  they start out at 450 amps and go up from there up to over 600 amps.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101In the field I work in people would laugh their *** off at you for bringing out this rig. I can do just as well with a torch and a washing tip. different strokes different folks I guess.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manSee my sig line.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rock knockerSteam or hydro-power?  I ask because if you're a Boilermaker, they work on both by agreement
Reply:Originally Posted by Pressure_WelderAs for Lanse, I think he is catering to a certain crowd here on this website... there are a lot of do it yourselfers, weekend warriors, or beginners looking for some basic tips on some welding process's, I think hes doing a great job for those people and he should continue! Having said that for those of us who are in the professional side of things I wouldn't expect any of us to take any learnings from him so coming on here and bashing him for making his videos that are geared towards an rookie/novice audience is childish and a true judge of character.... only advice I would have is to work on consistency! continue your great work.
Reply:So it's settled I guess......really shouldn't run these on CV.And turning the MIG machine up all the way does not make it Constant Current far as I knowMy gut feeling is that you'd have control issues using CV.  CC allows for changes in voltage as amperage is decreased/increased by arc length.  It's how we're able to fill gaps using a stick machine.......simply increase arc length to reduce "heat" (amperage), while increasing voltage.The MIG machine was limited to around maybe 28-35 volts I believe. Small engine drive like the Ranger will produce 80 OCV wide open, but only produce 25 volts at 100% duty cycle.  So I'm wondering what the realistic voltage/duty cycle is as related to gouging.And I'm not sure that air consumption isn't an issue with setups like most people have.A buddy from Up North is sending me a K2000 to play with, and decide if I feel it's worth buying one for my own use.(Thanks Scott)I'm gonna see just how good this thing is for what I mainly do.  If it isn't the best thing since sliced bread it ain't gonna be on my shelfI should move about 120mi North to Missouri   SHOW ME!!  Till I do it hands-on I'm not convinced."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:It doesn't take a lot to become halfway profecient at it.  I bought 3 box's of 3/16" carbons on ebay.  They seem to be max size for my trailblazer.
Reply:Far as the videos go.................I'd take great umbrage at a wet-behind-the-ears truck driver trying to give tips to another wet-behind-the-ears newbie truck driver.  Doesn't make sense.  But that's just meKind of like asking your 3yr old kid sister how to reline a set of brakes  (Unless you have a really GIFTED kid sister)Moving pictures are powerful.  Just look at the fact that the news media makes most people thing that out country is on the verge of socialism, communism, and nudism  They say it, and the idiots believe it   Same same with politicians, they lie enough that eventually the idiots believe themCharacter??  I may not have character, but I like to think that I AM a characterBesides, my buddy ain't gonna stop making vids...........Sarah Palin still makes speeches regardless"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammA buddy from Up North is sending me a K2000 to play with, and decide if I feel it's worth buying one for my own use.(Thanks Scott)I'm gonna see just how good this thing is for what I mainly do.  If it isn't the best thing since sliced bread it ain't gonna be on my shelf
Reply:Originally Posted by Pressure_Welderas for bostick, hes apparently an internet tough guy...... carbon arc absolutely has its place, almost every pipeline truck that runs around here is setup with air vantages. theres specific REPAIR crews that all they do all day is gouge out busted welds and re-do them. Only real thing they use a torch for is cutting bevels, and even then a lot are using air powered bevelers now. .
Reply:Originally Posted by Bostick101Air powered bevelers? your out of your god damn mind sir.
Reply:I've come to the conclusion that Bostick is an internet troll. coming in to start fights with well known, knowledgable, and well respected forrum members. and with a whopping 25 posts under his name. could very easily be someone who was politely, or possibly not so politely asked to leave in the past. and because of this, I'm going to just disregard his comments, as it's fairly obvious that he either is just here to start fights, or is so far under a rock that anything that he doesn't use personally needs to be insulted and disrespected. Hopefully he can open up his mind to using other tools and methods instead of bashing others for using them.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:You're right
Reply:[QUOTE=Bostick101;2783951]Air powered bevelers? your out of your god damn mind sir.[/QUOlol your cute... I must be in my own little world when were replacing sections of water wall and beveling upwards up 100 tubes.... with this magical crazy thing called air that comes out of a hose! it must be magic.but I guess if I was a real welder I would just put a bevel on with a torch right?heres a video to prove how much of an idiot iam
Reply:[quote=Pressure_Welder;2784131] Originally Posted by Bostick101Air powered bevelers? your out of your god damn mind sir.[/QUOlol your cute... I must be in my own little world when were replacing sections of water wall and beveling upwards up 100 tubes.... with this magical crazy thing called air that comes out of a hose! it must be magic.but I guess if I was a real welder I would just put a bevel on with a torch right?heres a video to prove how much of an idiot iam
Reply:[quote=7A749;2784191] Originally Posted by Pressure_WelderAnd here we thought you only knew how to build tables LMAO.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellNot sure what the problem is. They acknowledge clearly in the video that they ought to use a CC machine, but since they don't have one, they use a CV machine set on max "in a pinch". The idea is to give a general overview of the process for people like me who had never seen it before.