air arc gouging ?

admin

im going to get a air arc torch,   im kind of limited to about 200amps though.     someone is offerng me a used arcair 2000,   im open for any comments on that torch for the amperage ive got, also ive read these torches take flat or rectangular electrodes as well as round.   now do you need to change the copper pads that clamp down on electrode when going from round to flat.    it has a half round groove in each pad for round,   im in question on how to properly clamp flat electodes.      the only thing ive been warned to look for in used torch is that the airjets get damaged.  is this something common, or can anyone give me any other pointers on evaluating a used torch    im all ears    thanks
Reply:You need LOTS of air...(the bigger the compressor, the better) and your torch should have a built in swivel in the handle . otherwise, it'll be twisting in your hand , not comfortable, and hard to use. at 200 amps, you are severely limited , and it's more difficult to gouge ,than when you have a really big machine .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Originally Posted by 123weld... do you need to change the copper pads that clamp down on electrode when going from round to flat...  ...im in question on how to properly clamp flat electodes......the only thing ive been warned to look for in used torch is that the airjets get damaged.  is this something common, or can anyone give me any other pointers on evaluating a used torch...
Reply:At 200 amps or so forget about the flat carbons. An 1/8" round carbon is about the only thing you're going to be able to work with. You have a DC machine,right? They do make carbons that are made to work with AC but they're pricey and hard to find. I couldn't tell you how well they AC carbons work, I've never used them.
Reply:1/8" round is about the limit.  It may work with 3/32, but you will get places it won't gouge, then the carbon sticks to the plate and makes a mess.1/8 works at 100 amps and up.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:What manner of 200a machine? I have heard that gouging is bad for certain types.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:You can gouge with 5/32 rods at 200 amps too i belive, but make sure you know the duty cycle of the machine. when you run that machine cranked right up and gouging away and if a 60% duty cycle you can only gouge 6 mins out of every ten. When gouging you will notice that differnt angles will give you differnt depths, and and differnt angles require differnt travel speeds, be careful of carbon deposits from the carbon gouging rod, you may need to grind then out before welding. Them arcair torches are re-buildable so you if it looks  like normal wear on it, it may be worth getting anyway.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.