- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 26,719
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
Just got done refitting 3 pin on FEL buckets fron pin on lugs to SSQA plates, something I've done a lot of in the past using a large angle grinder and thin kerf abrasive discs to remove the welds that secure the pin on lugs welded to the backside of the buckets, a tedious and dirty job even using a plasma cutter to 'blow' the welds off and I still have to grind off the remaining weld beads flush with the bucket backs so the SSQA plates will lay flat on the backside of the buckets prior to welding on.
Decided last month to purchase a carbon rod air - arc gouger. They are not expensive, though the consumable rods are somewhat pricey.
One thing is required and that is a transformer driven welder that will run DC reverse polarity at sufficient amperage to light off the rods and an air compressor of sufficient CFM to be able to 'blow' the molten weld away.
Modern IGBT welders are not capable of arc gouging, well not for very long as you will roast the solid state controllers in them. Transformer welders only. I'm using my Lincoln engine drive weld and power to air gouge, I makes sufficient DC amperage to light off the carbons and I have plenty of shop compressed air as well. Compared tp grinding off welds, it's night and day in relationship to speed and when you get good at gouging, there is very little to no weld left to grind off.
You do need proper PPE however, shade 11 or better hood, leather welding jacket and it's better done outside but the results and speed is amazing.
Torches run from cheap to expensive and you need an air supply hose to feed them plus the carbons. I've tried different brands and the Arcair copper coated one, for me, seem to work the best and unlike Plasma, the compressed air supply don't have to be moisture free, any air supply will work.
Decided last month to purchase a carbon rod air - arc gouger. They are not expensive, though the consumable rods are somewhat pricey.
One thing is required and that is a transformer driven welder that will run DC reverse polarity at sufficient amperage to light off the rods and an air compressor of sufficient CFM to be able to 'blow' the molten weld away.
Modern IGBT welders are not capable of arc gouging, well not for very long as you will roast the solid state controllers in them. Transformer welders only. I'm using my Lincoln engine drive weld and power to air gouge, I makes sufficient DC amperage to light off the carbons and I have plenty of shop compressed air as well. Compared tp grinding off welds, it's night and day in relationship to speed and when you get good at gouging, there is very little to no weld left to grind off.
You do need proper PPE however, shade 11 or better hood, leather welding jacket and it's better done outside but the results and speed is amazing.
Torches run from cheap to expensive and you need an air supply hose to feed them plus the carbons. I've tried different brands and the Arcair copper coated one, for me, seem to work the best and unlike Plasma, the compressed air supply don't have to be moisture free, any air supply will work.
