Cutting with a stick welder question

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I need to cut out a weld in an area I cannot get a tool into.I do not have access to a cutting torch. I have a Lincoln AC/DC 225 stick welder "Tombstone". I just purchased some Hobart Cutting/Chamfering Electrodes (H990001-RDP). They are 3/32" thick.I need to know what amps and polarity to use. I found some technique videos on Youtube, but any advice is appreciated.I'm surprised Hobart does not offer any of that info with the electrodes.
Reply:Those are arc gouging rods, you're going to need an air arc stinger and an air supple to do anything productive with  them. If you get all that maxing your machine should work. But I doubt a tombstone is rated to air arc.Last edited by claymans13; 12-15-2012 at 04:29 PM.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250
Reply:electrode negative crank the amps all the way up and if needed use an air blow gun to blow the puddle outMiller XMT 304 cc/cvMiller 12RC w/ 15ft Tweco #4 GunMiller 30A SpoolgunCustom Thermal Arc TA 10/270 Generator "Thermal Star"Smith oxy/acet-propane with weld, cut & rosebud tipsAnd of course grinders, chop saws, hand tools
Reply:just use 6010..crank it up, maybe 50% higher than what  normal weld  wants, and watch it blow the metal away
Reply:I also need to cut apart a skid steer pallet fork that was welded in place and can't get cutting tools in there.  Are you telling me that I can just use 3/32 6010 at 50% the normal current and it will cut without extra air or anything?Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Originally Posted by claymans13Those are arc gouging rods, you're going to need an air arc stinger and an air supple to do anything productive with  them. If you get all that maxing your machine should work. But I doubt a tombstone is rated to air arc.
Reply:Correct. Those are not carbon arc air rods.  You dont need air or an arc air set up to run those. All you need is your stick electrode holder.They are deep gouging rods. Certainium also makes a cutting/gouging electrode for a stick welder. These types of rods will gouge and cut but they are not neat. They can be messy but they do the job.If I cant use my plasma cutter to cut or gouge, I just use 6010 and crank up the amperage if I need to use a stick electrode to pierce a hole in something.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by gwileyAre you telling me that I can just use 3/32 6010 at 50% the normal current and it will cut without extra air or anything?
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-man150% of normal amperage. And I think it helps if you dip the 6010 in water first.
Reply:When cutting or piecing with 6010, do you use DCEN? I know 6010 is Reverse polarity to weld but in my mind, Straight polarity would cut/gouge better than DCEP with 6010.As mentioned, Electrode negative for Arc gouging rods and I believe but not confirmed that Plasma cutters are also Straight polarity (DCEN).In Straight polarity, electrons are emitted from the electrode and bombard the work.
Reply:I pretty much run my ARC to max and just cut. It works great, although not near as nice as a plasma.
Reply:I once cut through 5/8" thick plate using 5/32" stick electrodes. It made a sloppy cut, but I got the job done. It was all I had at the time.
Reply:I got it to work! I used AC and cranked the amps. It's ugly, but it worked.It smells, but not that bad. It also catches things on fire.Thanks guys!
Reply:Simply put, we always called it "hot-rodding". Crank it up to max and cut the heck out of it.DannyMy SiteJust worrying 'bout what I can't get to today.