Gouging with a PowerArc 300

[Stuckmotor]

The advertisement for the PowerArc 300 says it's suitable for arc goging but, some people think this might have adverse affects on it's ability to make good welds. I'd like to hear comments from anyone who's actually used a PowerArc 300 to arc gouge. I'd appreciate knowing, how well it washes off old welds, how much gouging you've done with yours, and whether gouging affected the quality of the machine's welding performance.

[DaveO]

First off, welcome to the forums, Stuckmotor!

Just curious- where did you hear about adverse affects on the welder?

[Shield Arc]

Just curious- where did you hear about adverse affects on the welder?

I said it. Over the years I've put the hurt on enough electric welders, and engine drives to know carbon arc gouging takes it's toll on welding machines. But I've never used an inverter machine for carbon arc gouging. I too am very interested in the answer to Stuckmotor's question!

[Stuckmotor]

DaveO,
Thankyou for the welcome. I posted the question in the welding forum of Tractorbynet. Shield Arc was the first to mention the possibility of gouging having bad affects on a welder. Then, at least one other person commented that they'd known a welder used for gouging to make poor welds. I got the feeling that no one who commented had gouged with a PowerArc 300 and Shield Arc suggested that I post the question here.

[fdcmiami]

often those same people have never used the process, they have only 'heard' somewhere. i've used the process on both inverter and transformer welders with success. i use carbons that will work withing the range spec'd by the mfg of the machine. do you own a setup? you could get by with an arcair 2 or 3 k, don't buy retail, they can often be found used at heavily discounted prices. make sure you have a compressor that can meet the air pressure requirements of the torch.

[geezer]

often those same people have never used the process, they have only 'heard' somewhere. i've used the process on both inverter and transformer welders with success. i use carbons that will work withing the range spec'd by the mfg of the machine. do you own a setup? you could get by with an arcair 2 or 3 k, don't buy retail, they can often be found used at heavily discounted prices. make sure you have a compressor that can meet the air pressure requirements of the torch.

Nice to see a man cut through the B.S. and tell it like it is...

[Stuckmotor]

I believe the people who told me about the problems with welders used for gouging, had worked in shops that dedicaed a big, old, welder to that purpose. I've considered the possibility that the machine might have gouged satifactorily because it was large and welded poorly because it was old, but, have no way of knowing.
You asked about my setup. I have a Lincoln Tombstone, AC only, and thinking it might be nice to upgrade to DC decided to investigate the capacities of the 300.

[DaveO]

Trying to keep up here... in stick welding if the welding arc gets too long it increases voltage. Is damage to the machine caused by maintaining too long an arc with the carbon rod? And the over-voltage exceeds limits of the machine?

[Stuckmotor]

My knowledge of the insides of welders is so limited that I'm afraid to guess.

[Shield Arc]

If you do buy used and don't have a big enough compressor, I closed off two of the holes in my torch. Can't tell any difference in it's performance. But now a days the biggest rod I use is 1/4-inch.

[Stuckmotor]

Shield Arc,
You've got some of the best suggestions for my partcular situation that I've seen. I appreciate the photos too.

[Shield Arc]

DaveO what you have to realize is the welding machines still work, until they completely fail! All machines fail it's just a matter of time. Abuse can speed this up. Carbon arcing is just about as close as you can get to a dead short. Do it enough times there will be an effect on the quality of arc! That is why most companies dedicate one or more machines for this purpose only! I personally look for the best quality of arc in a welding machine, look at my signature. Now why would I want to screw up any of my welding machines by carbon arcing with them? If I had much to do, I would rent a large engine drive, and screw their machine up.


Some welders are just more cognizance of the quality of arc in welding machines. Others go blindly through life.

[DaveO]

Others go blindly through life.

Yup, I'm with ya, 100%. One way I avoid going blindly through life is by questioning what I read on the internet.

Is there a right and a wrong way to use carbon rods, so you don't put stress on the machine? Should Arcair change their company motto to "Destroying your welder, one carbon rod at a time"?

[fdcmiami]

Should Arcair change their company motto to "Destroying your welder, one carbon rod at a time"?

thanks for the laugh. can i forward that to Victor Technologies?

[Shield Arc]

Is there a right and a wrong way to use carbon rods, so you don't put stress on the machine?

Not that I'm aware of, other than using small rods, and stay well within the welders specs. But to get any production you'll need at least a 400-amp machine, and 150-PSI of air. Carbon arcing is just plain hard on welding machines.
Like I said most welders wouldn't know the difference in the quality of arcs to start with.

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php...uging-Question

[DaveO]

Like I said most welders wouldn't know the difference in the quality of arcs to start with.

I'll let you know if I run into anyone like that.

[TheGary]

I have done carbon arc gouging several times. I would suggest an arcair K2000 head for a small welder. The K2000 can use 1/4 round and 3/8 flat rods and it works with 40 psi of air . If you get the larger heads they take a lot of air to use them. On a 300 amp machine the K2000 will do all the machine will let it. Carbone arc for those who have not used it is very messy. I would suggest full leathers, and clear all combustables in the area to at least 50 ft. Have a good extinguisher ready and put ear plugs in your ears ( for the noise and for the slag that will want to find its way into your ear cannal). There are times when it is definatly the tool for the job. It is just very limiting as to where you can do it because hot slag goes everywhere. I would not do it in a garage either because there is a considerable amount of smoke involved also. The best place to gouge is in a large parking lot with nothing else around . It can remove old welds very quickly and is good to prep cracked areas that you want to weld on large thick pieces .

[fdcmiami]

more unsubstantiated opinion. i'd go with mfg's recommendations on rod size and amperage, is it likely they would mention it as a process and still warranty the machine? i don't think so. just be cognizant of the limitations of your machine, use a compressor that will provide you with the correct air flow and don't go plugging holes in the torch.

there are a number of threads on other sites that deal with this issue but here's a suggestion; call and ask if it will void the warranty.