what does it take to air arc gouge??

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ive seen multiple threads and multiple instructional videos of people air arcing. none of which give decent advice. lanse and peter air arced with a 240 amp mig machine. i saw a video where somebody "paralled" 2 machines to produce like 400something amps. im most likely just going to gouge with an engine drive but im tied with the amp requirements, the only air arcing ive ever done was on an older miller bigblue 40e. and i didnt even know the amp settings it was wrote on the face panel as "air arc" on the rough adjustment setting. help me out her cause id hate to waste an extra 3 grand on an engine drive with amps i dont need.
Reply:The amount of CFM in the air supply is just as critical as the # of amps. And both of those depend on what size electrodes you use.                                                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Upl...August2013.pdf
Reply:Think of it as reverse welding the more amps you have the bigger the rod you can burn I've arc gouge off a bobcat 225 not the best set up but it works
Reply:You need a big welder and a bigger compressor, full leathers and ear plugs.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:lots of amps, lots of air, and full coverage protection.
Reply:And there are your answers they just forgot to add practiceBacked 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:And the most important thing of all: You're going to get burned, it's just a matter of time. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Not to hijack this thread, but I've been looking into air arc gouging and I've only been able to find 7-10 ft leads.  Do the make longer leads for this?
Reply:That is pretty much the normal length. There should be an air fitting, and a lug with a rubber cover. I used to clamp the stinger to the lug and go to town. Oh- very important- put the air holes down, or under the carbon rod. Otherwise you will end up with a big mess. Originally Posted by alp2013Not to hijack this thread, but I've been looking into air arc gouging and I've only been able to find 7-10 ft leads.  Do the make longer leads for this?
Reply:That is just the size of the power cable/hose. You hook that to your welding lead, which can be as long as you purchase, and you also hook it to the air hose.There are many sizes of carbons, so you can find one that will work with pretty much any machine. How well they will work is another story. Obviously, the bigger the carbon, the more metal will be removed, and faster, and the more amps you will need. I always refer to the Arcair user manual when setting up. As far as ball parking the settings on my machine, (I don't have digital readout), I find I use less amps than the manual calls for. Yes, you will need plenty of air. My 5hp, 80 gal. compressor does the job, but I should have gone with the 7.5hp."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:swamp; after you gather everything you need to do some gouging just remember the sparks and molten metal travel far and wide from this process. protect yourself and the surrounding area!i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manThat is just the size of the power cable/hose. You hook that to your welding lead, which can be as long as you purchase, and you also hook it to the air hose.
Reply:1. Find out your max amp output from your machine2. Find out your max output from your compressed air source3. See if you have enough amps for any of these   http://victortechnologies.com/arcair...5Code=&W6Code=4. See if you have enough air for one of these  http://store.cyberweld.com/arcaarcgotok.html  look at the specs near the bottom.Ifn ya have what it takes to make nuff air and nuff amps give it atry.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Don't forget a good respirator.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingYou need a big welder and a bigger compressor, full leathers and ear plugs.
Reply:Most of my air arcing will be done on farm equipment in a open area or on broken pieces of equipment in my pole barn shop. And yes I understand how much you can burn yourself doing this. Its already happened to meSent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
Reply:I carbon arc'ed all the time when I worked at the vessel shop many moons ago. We had dedicated old machines to the task. The maintenance crew didn't like us doing it on our normal power sources as the claimed the huge spikes in amperage were really hard on them. Makes sense when you think about it. I don't recall what power sources we used for the air arc but they were big, almost as big as our sub-arc power units. I'd estimate 500+amps. 1/2" was our standard electrode. If it's something you'll have to do on the regular I'd look into getting a big, used and cheap power source dedicated to the task. We also had an automated gouger on one of our positioned booms. It used 3/4-1" connecting electrodes and dual 1/2 id air lines. It was actually really quite because it would make one continues cut. Damn thing would throw molten metal 30 feet as well. It was AWESOME.
Reply:Originally Posted by quasiI carbon arc'ed all the time when I worked at the vessel shop many moons ago. We had dedicated old machines to the task. The maintenance crew didn't like us doing it on our normal power sources as the claimed the huge spikes in amperage were really hard on them. Makes sense when you think about it. I don't recall what power sources we used for the air arc but they were big, almost as big as our sub-arc power units. I'd estimate 500+amps. 1/2" was our standard electrode. If it's something you'll have to do on the regular I'd look into getting a big, used and cheap power source dedicated to the task. We also had an automated gouger on one of our positioned booms. It used 3/4-1" connecting electrodes and dual 1/2 id air lines. It was actually really quite because it would make one continues cut. Damn thing would throw molten metal 30 feet as well. It was AWESOME.
Reply:Try 5/8 carbons Arcair full auto 1000 amps on bridge girders. Looks like you milled it off. Used to have a Lincoln 1500 amp motor generator .