Carbon arc torch

[alltoys]

Question. I have a lot of deck screws that are rusted to the trailer frame, and I have twisted my TORX bit beyond use. Has anyone used a single carbon rod using about 60 amps DC to heat up the screw so the rusty screw will glow red and break the rust barrier. I have seen someone remove a large nut from a rusty farm machinery , by grabbing the nut with the two rods until it glowed cherry red, and when cooled, the nut came right off. I am hoping that in doing this, the screw will back out with a new bit in an 18 v Dewalt impactor. Which way should should the current run, through the rod, to the screw head, or from the metal deck through the screw to the holder?

J J it works great to remove deck screws. I have used this method to remove screws from the deck of Semi Trailers when the floor has been damaged. Just make sure the screw cools down enough you can touch it with a bare finger without burning. Oh you may have to rough up the top of the screw to get a good contact. I have used this method with the wood still in place it does smoke a little but the floor was to be removed anyway.

 

[J_J]

I thank you for your answer. I am glad that someone has done this before and it worked. I didn't want to screw up and weld the screw to the trailer frame. I have broken them off before, and had to get under the trailer and use a vise-grip to unscrew the broken screw. I will be using DC current. Did you make the rod positive or neg?

 

[alltoys]

Rod positive just like regular welding with DC, negative ground. I do have an Air Arc holder to hold the rod as sometimes the screw type holder will put to much pressure on the carbon rod breaking it. Try to direct the arc near the outside edge of the screw head if possible also you can sharpen the carbon rod in a pencil sharpener to get that smaller point to direct a finer arc works great. Plus you can use the carbon rod as a pencil if need be.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Here's a source of solid carbon arc rods. Not cheap, but 50 rods is nearly a lifetime supply. I have a twin carbon torch that I bought in 1968 & I haven't used 50 rods. Hollow goughing rods will work also but get consumed a little faster. MRC Carbon Electrode Rods For All Graphic Arts / Printing Lamps / Exposure Lamps

What is the difference between solid carbon arc rod for welding and for lighting. The one site I found them on had a big warning NOT FOR WELDING.
Bill

 

[Bill_C]

I thank you for your answer. I am glad that someone has done this before and it worked. I didn't want to screw up and weld the screw to the trailer frame. I have broken them off before, and had to get under the trailer and use a vise-grip to unscrew the broken screw. I will be using DC current. Did you make the rod positive or neg?

I need to replace my trailer boards too, and I'm not looking forwards to getting the screws out either!

So are we talking about using the two-rod "torch" or just using one carbon rod in the stinger?

 

[svcguy]

Difference in carbons and their use is density. Best to use carbon arc carbons:

Carbon Arc Equipment

Guys, these are common to almost any welding supply place. They are still used.

 

[svcguy]

Another source, boxes of 50.

Welding Supplies, Miller Welders, Thermal Dynamics Plasma Cutters

 

[svcguy]

Nice carbon arc torch available as we speak on Ebay:

Craftsman Arc Torch Carbon Arc Cut with your Welder NR - eBay (item 170438931102 end time Feb-04-10 15:00:12 PST)

Good looking torch, slide type, which work well.

 

[J_J]

I need to replace my trailer boards too, and I'm not looking forwards to getting the screws out either!

So are we talking about using the two-rod "torch" or just using one carbon rod in the stinger?

I am going to try and touch the head of the screw with a single carbon rod for as long as it takes to heat it up , and see what happens.

 

[MikeD74T]

Nice carbon arc torch available as we speak on Ebay:

Craftsman Arc Torch Carbon Arc Cut with your Welder NR - eBay (item 170438931102 end time Feb-04-10 15:00:12 PST)

Good looking torch, slide type, which work well.

That's exactly the torch I have, definitely not for cutting! MikeD74T