nimda's blog

From time to time, mistakes are made in a weld seam, or a repair to a weld will be needed. It can be quite time consuming grinding and cutting the affected area to get down to good metal. Especially in a field repair situation, something may need to be rapidly cut or gouged away. The best solution is the Air-Carbon Arc Cutting torch. It’s a relatively simple process. Though it’s not as neat as a plasma or even an oxyacetylene torch, the Air-Arc process is rapid.

Surfacing is a process of depositing metal on items that have been worn down, or are subject to wear corrosion or other damage to help extend the life of the tool. This kind of welding is done not for creating joints or for joining metal, but for building up, and laying a protective layer or bead on top of vulnerable parts and pieces that are subject to wear such as backhoe buckets, or farm equipment plow points. More often than not, the surfacing is done to restore the metal back to the rough original dimensions, or to protect areas receiving uneven wear.

MIG welding is most often used to join steel or stainless steel together. But with the properly equipped MIG, aluminum can be easily welded as well. Many MIGs use a device known as a spool gun to weld aluminum. It is a small, pistol shaped device that holds its own small spool of wire. The spool is approximately 4 inches in diameter and for aluminum use, the spool weighs in at about a pound.

There are two basic ways to control the amps. The first is with the foot pedal which allows infinite control of amps real time. Though this sounds ideal, it is not a very scientific or controlled way of welding if the protocol for welding a particular joint, or metal type defines a narrow range of amps in which the weld should be conducted.

Besides pulse, one of the most important adjustable features on a welder like the Everlast PowerTig series, or the Miller Dynasty series, is the adjustability of the AC frequency, and the AC balance. Both play their part in getting the most out of a AC arc while TIG welding.

Pulse is more than just a setting you make or switch you flip on the machine. Though some "simple" machines may only have an adjustment for pulse frequency, there are other components to the pulse cycle that can be made with most welders. The appropriate terminology for pulse settings is not clearly standardized.

A lot of experienced TIG veterans weld all their life and never get to experience TIG welder with a pulse feature.

A main issue often encountered with plasma cutters is angularity or "beveling" of the cut. Nearly all standard definition plasma cutters will exhibit some beveling. You'll find more or less beveling between brands as well. Too large of consumables for the cut is a primary cause of beveling.

If you have ever plasma cut very long, you'll notice a few "odd" quirks with almost any machine. First, you will notice that the cut will reflect nearly every bobble or twitch of your hand, with a jagged edge as a result. Granted plasma cutting makes an extremely smooth cut with a CNC, the plasma cut is only as good as the hand that holds the torch.

Little thought is given by most purchasers of plasma cutting systems about the starting of the arc, and how it is accomplished within the unit. But this is an important issue that the purchaser should be aware of, because each of the three major start types offer distinct advantages and disadvantages.