arc gouging/air arc

[josh birkhead welding]

Hey I'm new around here and find it very helpful. I was wandering what size welder you recommend for arc gouging

[aametalmaster]

Any big non inverter stick machine...Bob

[MMW]

Minimum 250 amp stick non inverter. These will handle 3/16" carbons which is about as small as you want to go. Not for heavy duty use though.

[josh birkhead welding]

Thanks. I appreciate the input. I have a bobcat 250 and some people say you can and others say you shouldn't so I was just wanting other opinions.

[snoeproe]

250 amps minimum. Small carbons.
500 amps preferably and larger carbons.

[MMW]

When gouging do not set the machine at 100% (wide open). Set it like 85% so it has some room to fluctuate while not going over max.

[Nathan128]

arc gouging/air arc

A big rental one.

[Tryagn5]

air arcing does not heart the machine!

Would people stop pushing the idea that air arcing hurts machines, i have air arced off every machine i have owned, and i air arc a lot. Also as for bad for invertors, my maxtron 450 i had for 10 years, i ran about 150 boxes of 1/4 carbons through it, never had a probelm. Simply use the machine within its duty cycle and gouge away, what is the difference between 250 amps running large wire or an air arc electrode, other than cv vs cc current.
Kevin

[Tryagn5]

air arcing does not hurt the machine!

Would people stop pushing the idea that air arcing hurts machines, i have air arced off every machine i have owned, and i air arc a lot. Also as for bad for invertors, my maxtron 450 i had for 10 years, i ran about 150 boxes of 1/4 carbons through it, never had a probelm. Simply use the machine within its duty cycle and gouge away, what is the difference between 250 amps running large wire or an air arc electrode, other than cv vs cc current.
Kevin

[Portable Welder]

Tryagn5, I totally agree with you, I'm trying to figure out why I'm not suppose to air arc off my 2001 Pipe Pro 304 or my Approximately 2003 XMT 304.

I run 1/4" carbons at 350 amps on a regular basis, ( A couple times a month )
without a problem.

Just like Tryagn5 said keep it within your duty cycle.

[MMW]

Tryagn5 -- I don't see anyone here that is saying air arcing is harmful to machines in general. Just giving advice. I was told by the service tech not to use inverters for cac. He even told me not to use a Syncrowave. As far as maxing it out that is something else that has been said a lot on this site as well as in the field.

I'm glad you are able to use yours as you do without any issues.

[Portable Welder]

MMW, I probably will never air arc off my Dynasty 300DX, nor will I arc weld off of it, But that because I have other options.

[snoeproe]

I've arc aired with a few inverter power supplies. XMT 304, XMT 350, Invertec V350. No issues with any of them. Crank them wide open just don't exceed the duty cycle and you will have no problems.

[sturugged]

air arc and duty cycles

All good info here as others have posted, I would add that depending on how much gouging you are doing will dictate what you need machine wise. If your gouging using the small carbons, most machines will fit the bill without damage. A person has to be realistic though. a 300 to 400 amp machine will run 1/4 inch carbons without issue, if you are going bigger match power accordingly. If you still need more try paralleling two or more power sources. Usually the big guns like dimensions or goldstars 650 amp classwork good, but the big diesel engine drives work nice as well. Run minimum 4/0 cables and have good air (high CFM). Match your air arc stinger as well. Arc air k4000 will take a lot of power up to 1000 amps. if you still need more arcair has the tri-arc foundry torch that is rated for 1600 amps when you get to those carbons. I have run the 3/4 inch segmented carbons that lock together at around 1200 to 1400 amps. When you run that much juice its good to run tandem 4/0 cables or bigger MCM cables. Kind of neat to have got the experience doing this, you can plow through a lot of metal and the slag that comes off is like a volcano erupting!

[dondlhmn]

CAC = crap (HOT crap) flying everywhere and making a BUNCH of noise while doing it. Personally, I never liked CAC, but I guess it DOES have its uses. But me...given ANY kind of a choice, I will do about any kind of cutting in order to avoid CAC!!