Clamp vs Screw electrode holder

[Haywire]

This is the Lenco HT.

 

[deereman75]

We have a 400 amp screw type stinger on our Lincoln ac225s tombstone (I know is is overkill but it came with it, i am too cheep to buy new so I bought a used one) and it is way better then those PITA clamp type ones (I tried one in home depot and it was way too small):2cents:

 

[Haywire]

I looked at a Hobart short stub at Tractor Supply and it appears that the clamping portion inside the head is wider than the one on mine. I don't think it would have a problem with smaller electrodes bypassing the clamp.

Ian

 

[Haywire]

Got the HT in today. Love the high handle. I can almost get my big knuckles under it. Gloved fingers are no problem.

Ian

 

[JB4310]

That Lenco looks nice, good quality.

I have both the clamp type on my in shop ac/dc machine, and the screw type on a portable machine.

I prefer the clamp type for the main reason already mentioned, which is getting off a stuck 7018 as quick as possible. That direct short sound coming from the blue box is kinda sickening

JB.

 

[Lazy]

To free the screw type holder when the rod sticks, just twist the handle counterclockwise a 1/4 turn and and the holder will slip off the rod and you are free. I have been using the screw type holder for 40 years and never had a rod stick to the point of tripping a breaker or the need to free the rod holder from the rod.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I guess it is personal preference issue as both types hold the electrodes. In 40 years of heavy industrial construction, I think I saw one twister holder that a boilermaker brought in. Mostly we use the 200 amp Tweco which is similar to Lenco except the insulator on the holders are better quality. My only complaint with Tweco is that after using them for a few thousand pounds of welding rod, the grooves wear to where the only one left that will hold a 3/32" rod is the 90 degree groove on the very tip of the holder. This can be corrected with a file in a few minutes by filling away some of the holder base so the grooves arent so deep and you are good for another thousand pounds. If you burn the rods down to nubs, you will burn off the insulator eventually, so you need to leave about an 1.5" of rod to keep from overheating the insulator. Also dont use the electrode holder as a chipping hammer if you want the insulators to last.

 

[Shield Arc]

Also dont use the electrode holder as a chipping hammer if you want the insulators to last.

Or to plumb up your fitter for giving you big gaps! :laughing:

 

[Haywire]

My only complaint with Tweco is that after using them for a few thousand pounds of welding rod, the grooves wear to where the only one left that will hold a 3/32" rod is the 90 degree groove on the very tip of the holder.

That's similar to the way this Lenco has started out. The end 90 and 45 will hold smaller rod but the rear 90 won't. The smallest it will hold is 1/8.

Ian

 

[Gary Fowler]

I always liked to use the tweco quick connect on the end of the whip for keeping my fitter in line. Less likely to get tangled up if a second shot is required.
Ever hear the one about the parachutist who forgot his parachute? He said he could do without, just give him a couple hundred feet of welding lead, it would for sure hang up on something before he hit the ground.