[TheForge] Welding advice

[Ron Childers]

Ralph, More years ago than I care to admit we had an underwater cutting rig
with hollow electrodes through which air was blown as the rod was consumed-
took some high amperage & pressure, but it worked really well. From looking
at the air-arc set up a foot activated gas valve would work for a once in a
blue moon project. It's "We're whacha call professionals; we do this for a
living; don't try this at home". Sound abt right? In underwater welding &
electric cutting, they always told us, "Never turn your back on your
ground".

Ron C 

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ralph Sproul
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 1:04 PM
To: munlaw2 at hcsmail.com; Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Welding advice

Hi Ron, The Air Arc torches are surprisingly less money than you think.  I
believe I paid $138 for the one I have now.

BUT......in answer to your question, you probably could hold an air nozzle
just below a carbon rod to get molten metal to fly........why hell, give a
farmer a welder and it is just amazing what they'll come up with.

Now the simple definition of a farmer:  is a man outstanding in his
field........so you fill in the blanks.     :-)

I would not attempt to have a wet or damp hand holding the air nozzle if you
were to touch the carbon rod by mistake.....at 250+ amps you'd probably wake
up much later.......if at all.

    I think this is followed by the usual disclaimer of "don't try this at
home kids......it's for professionals only"........... (or however that
saying goes).

Ralph