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View Full Version : Using a Buzzbox on Sheetmetal....


McGrath
12-08-2003, 08:16 PM
Some of you have mentioned only having a Buzzbox. Back in the Day, Sheetmetal workers used Carbon Arc Welding on Sheetmetal.

Similar to Oxy/acetylene Brazing, but you use a Carbon Rod and DCEN (DC Electrode negative). Strike the Carbon to start an Arc then run the Arc over the Filler rod just like you would with the flame from a Torch.

Carbon Rods are sharpened in a Pencil Sharpener to make a precise and easily controllable arc. Rods can be plain Carbon, or Copper coated, which prevents them from Breaking as easy. Some of the Old Farts on here probably remember Carbon Arc welding...

Another use for carbon rods is Air-Arc gouging. It uses a Special Stinger with Air Jets right beside the clamping head of the Stinger.The Air Jets are supplied by your airhose and compressor. When you strike the Arc and turn the air on, the heat of the arc melts the Metal, while the Air jets blow it away.

With practice, you can carve a weld out of a joint without even touching the base Metal. This is handy when you are trying to save certain parts for re-assembly later, like cutting suspension components off Rear ends for example.

McGrath
12-08-2003, 08:25 PM
Heres an amperage range Chart for CAW...

briggs&strattonChev
12-08-2003, 10:54 PM
35 amps for 22 guage steel? haha my welders lowest setting is 40 I think.

ive heard about using carbon welding rods with a battery charger (clamp the neg onto the metal and put the rod in the positive and strike the arc). IDK if it actually works cause I dont know where to get carbon rods.

k-member
12-09-2003, 01:25 AM
Aren't the carbon rods the same as the ones used for scarfing (ie air arc as mentioned above)? If so, should be able to purchase at the local welding supply.

Dooley
12-09-2003, 09:11 AM
I have an old setup and used corbon arc rods for brazing and they worked like a chanp.

4t64rd
12-09-2003, 09:25 AM
old offset printing plate burners use 2 rods for a light source, are they the same thing? Anyone know?

I can get as many of the 4" long nubs as I can carry for free.

McGrath
12-09-2003, 01:56 PM
I would imagine they are the same material. WWII Searchlights jumped an Arc between two Carbon Contacts.