air comp. with bobcat 250

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[cruizer]

Weldonwelding, I run gas compressors on my 2 rigs.

I cannot comment on the Bobcat because I have never ran one but our Trail Blazer runs 3/16 carbons without a problem and I run 1/4" on my rig and I have a 2001 Pipe pro.

I run the 1/4" at about 350 amps ( Keep in mind I have 150' of lead on each side so its a 300' loop ) So its probably closer to 325 amps figuring a 25 amp loss.

I'll have to look at my book tomorrow to see if Miller has a size reccomendation for carbons.

If you have a extra large auxillary air tank I think you could get by with a electric compressor.

I can see Cruizers side of things, He always sees the machines when they have been driven past their duty cycle.

So my question to Cruizer is : If we truly follow the duty cycle rating would it be okay.

You'll be in duty if you never turn the fine control past 3/4 turn

[Portable Welder]

Weldonwelding, I run gas compressors on my 2 rigs.

I cannot comment on the Bobcat because I have never ran one but our Trail Blazer runs 3/16 carbons without a problem and I run 1/4" on my rig and I have a 2001 Pipe pro.

I run the 1/4" at about 350 amps ( Keep in mind I have 150' of lead on each side so its a 300' loop ) So its probably closer to 325 amps figuring a 25 amp loss.

I'll have to look at my book tomorrow to see if Miller has a size reccomendation for carbons.

If you have a extra large auxillary air tank I think you could get by with a electric compressor.

I can see Cruizers side of things, He always sees the machines when they have been driven past their duty cycle.

So my question to Cruizer is : If we truly follow the duty cycle rating would it be okay.

[cruizer]

A repair shop will determine if you get a replacement. And its not terribly difficult to find out what happened, so good luck with that idea...

[farmer welder]

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,

[weldonwelding]

Well here's mine... if I blow it up they will replace it. And if your leaving a carbon deposit you need more practice with a carbon.

[weldonwelding]

If it was me I would get the gas compressor. That way they are independent of each other. If for some reason your welder quits & you need to borrow/rent one it may not run your compressor.

Does the Bobcat have seperate aux. power like the Trailblazers do? If not another reason to go gas comp.

This will be just another addition to the other 2 rigs already set up with a gas compressor. Only reason I asked about this is because it just seems like a lot of generator power compared to my other welders