Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey,


I might be able to grab an ebay bargain of a 300amp 3phase mig machine. Power source only. My question is, is it possible to turn this into an air arc gouger? I have it in my head about adding a contactor switch and remote amp control. Is this way off? I do get delirious sometimes .... I know that big machines of this brand, 600 amp, have an inbuilt set up where you flick a switch and away you go. But im not sure about this one. Maybe its crazy?

Mick

Not crazy at all Mick - I do it when there is no engine drive available & it works fine ( got a 500 amp with contactor latch ) - the torch does'nt care where the power comes from - my only comment would be 300amps is very low for gouging - two issues - on amps alone your looking at 5mm carbon - maybe 6mm max & it's going to give the duty cycle hell - but is workable for shorter runs - the real issue is if you have enough OCV to sustain the arc - my 500 has an OCV of 51volts maxed out which is fine & about the same as using an engine drive - your 300 is going to be significantly lower - only trying it will confirm if there are enough volts to maintain a usable arc - by nature those torches splutter a bit - actually I think Lanse / Pete did this with a smallish set & got it to work to a degree - I found on the Flair 600 torch I have the air consumption was way more than it required to work effectively - so I actually welded shut some of the air holes as I was using it in the shop from an electric compressor - not a diesel drive.

Hey,

Thanks for that, all pipe dreams at the moment, but for a possible bifd of 20 bucks, it may be too good to turn away from.

Mick

300 amps would be sufficient enough for gouging making sure you have some smaller gouging rods, I normally use around 300 while doing fine work it blows away the metal perfectly

Sweet mate,

The only reason im looking into it is the machine is a 20 buck special testd second hand, so maybe could be a winner.

Knowing my luck ill forget the auction ....

A whole 20bucks worth of welder ! can't wait to see it - never seem to get bargains like that here - still - if it works just as a power source for gouging it's a good buy - best leave a snipe on it - ( Goofbay over here works great ) - was thinking about it - 300 amps must work - I've used the 305 Diesel Ranger in the past for it - I think with 6mm carbon - still not sure the volts will be high enough to work well - but Lanse did a bit with only a 240amp machine - here's the video.


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We shall see. I reckon i could get a cheap wire feeder from work, so if the gouger project fails, i can rebuild the mig and sell it on, or hold it for the day i have 3 phase....lol.

If you get a Hobart mega mig it will already have the switch.

If i canfind one for $20, ill get it haha.

Hey,

Didnt get it. Went for a whole $22.50. lol with 8 seconds to go. No chance to change bid. Ah well, probably for the best. Im a king at starting projects and not finishing them.

Mick

Mick,
Bummer I was looking forward to seeing how this came out. I know what you mean about the projects. I have a saw that I thought I could rebuilt and use at the shop. It has been in my garage for over a year and I haven't even touched it.

Ive got two for when the weather cools down, 2big bashing stands, Not an anvil but not for accurate work either. And a steel vice thats half done. But thas for the projects thread .

Mick

Sorry you missed it - could have been an interesting project for little outlay - the important lesson here is don't show your bid ! use "Goofbay" or whatever sniping service you prefer down under !

i know that its the way to get stuff, but it is not honest in my opinion . but then again, nice guys finish last...

mick