air comp. with bobcat 250

[weldonwelding]

Well... I got to gouge with the 250 this afternoon with 3/16 carbons. I started out like usual with the machine full blast, I had to turn it down a bit... I tested on a piece of 1/4" steel on a couple vertical weaves and it blew completely through.

[weldonwelding]

Hi, Just interested, You certainly seem to know what you are doing with the air arc gouging' Could you post pictures or hints on how to accomplish the technique for doing it? How much air doe's it need? I have a 9 hp honda wheelbarrow type 18cfm compressor Would that be enough?
Thanks' Joe,

Get a good regulator, keep it around 90psi. Mostly where people go wrong with gouging is the direction and pressure of the air. Always keep the air closest to the metal, when the metal carbons over its not due to the amps of the machine... Its because the air is blowing back into the puddle. Your compressor is plenty enough for gouging out welds and plate up to about 3/8" thick steel. The main thing with gouging like anything else is to practice and every time you change position remember to follow with the air direction

[Sberry]

It helps with a small comp to be thrifty with the air, I hit the button when its not needed and dont dodder. It can be done. And you need a gas comp.

[Portable Welder]

I checked my catolog and they dont recommend gouging with the 225 or 3 phase Bobcat.

They show that you can air arc with the Bobcat 250 with 3/16" and it also says
( Capable 1/4" carbons ) I take that as not recommended but capable.

Just watch your duty cycle.

As far as carbon build up,Whenever doing multi pass gouging it is common to grind between passes when you have a problem restarting the arc.

Always grind all welding surfaces prior to welding to remove the carbon.

Weldonwelding, I'm sure you know this but I wanted to mention this to others just in case.

[weldonwelding]

I checked my catolog and they dont recommend gouging with the 225 or 3 phase Bobcat.

They show that you can air arc with the Bobcat 250 with 3/16" and it also says
( Capable 1/4" carbons ) I take that as not recommended but capable.

Just watch your duty cycle.

As far as carbon build up,Whenever doing multi pass gouging it is common to grind between passes when you have a problem restarting the arc.

Always grind all welding surfaces prior to welding to remove the carbon.

Weldonwelding, I'm sure you know this but I wanted to mention this to others just in case.

A needle scaler is one of my favorite tools, I use em on every thing. I'm not even sure if I own a chipping hammer anymore

[Portable Welder]

Weldonwelding, In my 29 years of welding I have never used a needle scaler, I've looked at them, Just never got off the cash for one, Do you use it for other things other than chipping slag.

[aametalmaster]

Weldonwelding, In my 29 years of welding I have never used a needle scaler, I've looked at them, Just never got off the cash for one, Do you use it for other things other than chipping slag.

I too finally bought one after 35 years of welding. But i work in a shop thats all gas fluxcore and sometimes you just can't swing a chipper in the welded pockets...Bob

[weldonwelding]

I bought mine at harbor freight. Got the mini and full size, I use the mini the most. It was about 30 bucks and I have went thru 2 of them in about 5 yrs. The name brands are around 150 bucks. I use them for rust, slag, chipping gouges, and paint. When I drag my leads out I also drag my air hose out, its just become a habit. If you try it I guarantee you will never use a chipping hammer again.... the one thing ya gotta be careful with is beating up the welds, you can make a fresh hot weld look pretty crappy if you use the scaler excessively

[Sberry]

I barely use a chipper because no one looks and I an a one pass kind of welder. A needle saler is a must have tool, I can live without a gouger. I had one, lost it in a fire, had to borrow one once and finally Rocky D and I each bought one from a classified on Hobart for some super cheap price, havnt used it.

I will agree it has its place in small sizes. If there was a market here its something I would have been interested in setting up, 600A arc gouger and big azz feeder, even in general work never use it though, so handy with a torch to do common demo work for the short time its not worth the extra equipment. Kind of stuff I do a feeder doesnt help, if I really want to get after it I will chuck in a big ole rod.

I am going to agree with owning a scaler, if you dont have it you needed one 30 yrs ago, is a must tool for rust, slag removal too. Portable Welder should own a couple. Easy.