Western Arctronics ancient stick welder - anybody familiar with this?

[Lelandwelds]

The white sludge is lime. It is the by product of the chemical reaction of the carbide and water. Calcium Carbide is the one of many compounds identified as "carbides". It is what is titled an Acetylide which is where Acetylene gets its name. Acetylene is a compound of Methane which is a Hydrogen compound. Chemistry 101.

Ron

Methane is CH4. Acetylene is C2H2 and is the only gas with a triple bond. It's been 35 years but I wouldn't call them very related.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Methane is CH4. Acetylene is C2H2 and is the only gas with a triple bond. It's been 35 years but I wouldn't call them very related.

I am only parroting what I learned in welding school in 1952. They had a large generator that took a charge of 50# carbide. We had to learn to operate and maintain it before any thing else. Age may have blunted some of the facts and I am not a chemist. It seems most of the common burnable gases have hydrogen in there somewhere. The carbon in acetylene is the important element that makes it work for welding steel.

Ron

 

[stuckmotor]

While the subject is welding, where's Shield Arc? I don't think he's posted lately. Shield Arc are you OK?

 

[Big Barn]

Your carbon arc torch is only okay for heating and brazing. It won’t cut if you’re thinking it’s like an oxy-acetylene torch.

One came with my new Forney I bought in 1966. Threw it away when I got my oxy-acet setup.

 

[California]

Your carbon arc torch is only okay for heating and brazing. It won't cut if you're thinking it's like an oxy-acetylene torch.

Thanks.

It was new to me when someone mentioned above that a carbon electrode could be used for cutting - if I read that right.

Can anyone shed more light on this? </pun>

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Thanks.

It was new to me when someone mentioned above that a carbon electrode could be used for cutting - if I read that right.

Can anyone shed more light on this? </pun>

Using the carbon arc gouging process, a rough cut can be made.

You need a carbon arc gouging torch and an air compressor.
The CAG torch holds a single carbon and directs air under the arc to blow melted metal away.
Normally used for gouging out cracks, rust, old welds, etc. It's using electric arc to un-weld
Much faster than grinding.

I use the K2000 model because it use half the air of the k4000 model and I don't have enough amperage to burn up the smaller one anyway. Most guys use the k4000 though I believe.

 

[Big Barn]

Using the carbon arc gouging process, a rough cut can be made.

You need a carbon arc gouging torch and an air compressor.
The CAG torch holds a single carbon and directs air under the arc to blow melted metal away.
Normally used for gouging out cracks, rust, old welds, etc. It's using electric arc to un-weld
Much faster than grinding.

The carbon arc gouging torch is what the OP probably was informed of. I assumed he was talking about the twin carbon arc torch that came with the buzz boxes in the 50’s and 60’s. They connected directly to the highest tapped setting and the work outlet.

IMO they were about two steps better than useless.

 

[Big Barn]

Another alternative to a carbon arc gouging torch is an exothermic lance. It utilizes long carbon rods and high pressure oxygen. A car battery is usually used for ignition. Here’s a pic of mine.




Works underwater and cuts through steel and concrete. Perfect for those pesky bank vault doors.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

The carbon arc gouging torch is what the OP probably was informed of. I assumed he was talking about the twin carbon arc torch that came with the buzz boxes in the 50’s and 60’s. They connected directly to the highest tapped setting and the work outlet. View attachment 566196

IMO they were about two steps better than useless.

Second that. I could never master the technique to use it to heat stuff. Gave up on it. Arc gouging is a different matter, that is easy; its just a lot of cleanup and molten metal flying around. The air or O2/arc torch is neat. I have use a 3/16 bare steel rod in the electrode holder at high amps to rough cut light material destined for scrap.

Ron

 

[California]

View attachment 566196

Yes, I'm inquiring about the gouging process which is new to me. I see it needs a big compressor so I doubt I'll ever try it.

I have one - two actually - of the twin-carbon heating torches like that photo. Never had a use for them so far in 15 years.