What is it ?

gregk · May 31, 2010

I have been old that this is a "electric carbon torch" Supposedly you hook it up to the welder, slide the carbon tips together to strike an arc, and then slide the tips apart and the electric arc heats things up. Do they still make tips for this? Does it work OK? do you know ANYTHING about these? thanks

glennster · May 31, 2010

yup its a carbon arc torch. i have one too. you should still be able to get rods from any welding supply. they work well for heating, and were pretty common when most people could only afford a welder and not a cutting torch set.

DeltaRed · May 31, 2010

I havnt used one in yrs,the put out alot heat....and white light,use your 'hood'

Anonymous-0 · May 31, 2010

They make a heart shaped "flame" when you get 'em going. Arc welding lenses are in order and cover up all skin or you will be "sun"burned.

gregk · May 31, 2010

The hood was one question that came to mind, probably helps keep the "sand" out of your eyes. Do you strike the arc on the metal or between the tips?

Crem · May 31, 2010

Yep like the others say, that is a carbon arc torch. One came with my old Forney AC welder that I bought many years ago. I probably haven't used mine in 25 years now. It will put out a lot of heat but isn't as concentrated as an Acetylene torch. Back in the day when that was what you had to heat things, it was great.

36F30 · May 31, 2010

(quoted from post at 18:05:35 05/31/10) The hood was one question that came to mind, probably helps keep the "sand" out of your eyes. Do you strike the arc on the metal or between the tips?

The arc is struck between the carbons or tips It wont strike on the metal the ground is one of the tips.

Crem · May 31, 2010

You strike the arc between the carbon tips and then adjust the gap to where it runs nice It will hum and almost squeal a little. Then you move the arc around close to the metal that you want to heat. If you get too close it can melt little areas of the metal.
The link below is a video on how it works.
Carbon arc

Rex in Australia · Jun 1, 2010

Yip, I have one that I still use from time to time.
If you are buying rods, make sure that you get AC or DC whatever your welder is. An AC welder will not run DC rods well at all. Set your welder to around 40amp, bring the rods together (with a shield as it is very bright) and then adjust the gap until it is burning evenly. It should burn ok with a little adjustment along the way.
Same system as the old film projectors, and even the war time spotlights used to use.
Cheers,
Rex

Dave Sherburne NY · Jun 1, 2010

Those copper coated carbons break very easily, set it down gently.

greenbeanman in Kansas · Jun 1, 2010

Excellent sunburn producer, cover up well as you can burn easily, harshly, and quickly.

If you play around with it consider this---some of the early street lighting by Edison use carbon arc lighting.

Smell, smoke, noise---thank goodness incandescents and modern lighting was developed.

PJH · Jun 1, 2010

It wasn't too many years ago when the river boats used that principle for their searchlights. I don't know what they use now - maybe still using carbon arc - they made a BRIGHT light. When we were kids, we'd flash the car lights at the tow boats so they'd "shine" us. Kinda like kids along the highway do the semi horns.

Paul

What is it ?

gregk

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glennster

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DeltaRed

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Anonymous-0

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gregk

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Crem

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36F30

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Rex in Australia

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Dave Sherburne NY

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PJH

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