Twin Carbon Arc Torch

funny that you say that Bill
they are/were used for welding, brazing,spotlights and film projectors as other uses for the carbon arc energy!

thanks for you interest!:))
i hoping to educate and have fun in the process!
 
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This thread sent me hunting out the instructions for my old Oxford arc welder, which has a tapping specifically for carbon rods - interesting bit was how to case-harden by rubbing the rod over low-carbon steels, fusing the carbon into the surface... I might have to try that!

Here in the UK arc brazing got a bad name because of adding carbon to car repairs, leaving the thin sheet hard and brittle, with bits dropping off, so it's now a test failure... Worth bearing in mind.

Dave H. (the other one)
 
The late 1800's is sometimes referred to as the "Age of Blind Actors" due to the number that went blind performing in front of carbon arc lights. The high UV tended to make cataracts.
 
I will have to dig out my "MAKIT YERSELF" booklets. ONE is how to make your own C.A. torch, (VEWY similar to the ward's) Another is a "DISINTIGRATOR" which uses a C.A. rod, drilled out, so it (get this) can pass WATER through. It feeds down, zapping broken taps, drill bits, and other hard to drill things that jam a hole. The water flushes out the zapped metal. I built one. IT WORKS! Then there is the benchtop C.A. furnace. It arcs metals into a puddle for casting small parts. The original instructions call for a "water resistor" which is an earthenware pot, filled with water, copper bars on opposite sides, series connecting your hot lead. Betw. line and load is an ammeter, and after plugging into a 110 receptacle, you add salt to the water until the meter reads 7 amps.:nuts: :thinking: :thumbsup: And they got us all thinking we need sophisticated equipment to put superhot to the metal... (There IS a good reason...)

that LAST one is a reprint from a boys project magazine, 1910-1930 somewhere...

- - - Updated - - -

NICE work BTW, :thumbsup:
 
Anyone know where I could get a few rods for a CA torch? I picked one up at a garage sale a few years ago for $5.00. Couldn't pass it up!:whistle::jester:
 
Hi Dan,
i do have a source i was able to find that were reasonable in price:

How to order from Cinema Carbons - AC DC Carbon Arcs - color films


A word of caution if you are going to use AC power use AC Carbon Arc Rods, DC Rods will not function correctly on AC.
i found that out the hard way......
You can use the TCA in DC but you will need a large DC rod and a small DC rod, because the rods in DC do not get used up at the same rate.
For AC you can use the same size rods as they are consumed at the same rate.
i hope the info helps out!!
mike:))
 
Try your local welding shop, or even the welding area of some well stocked hardware stores. If you have trouble getting any, let me know, my local hardware store has them.
 
Hi Dan,
i do have a source i was able to find that were reasonable in price:

How to order from Cinema Carbons - AC DC Carbon Arcs - color films


A word of caution if you are going to use AC power use AC Carbon Arc Rods, DC Rods will not function correctly on AC.
i found that out the hard way......
You can use the TCA in DC but you will need a large DC rod and a small DC rod, because the rods in DC do not get used up at the same rate.
For AC you can use the same size rods as they are consumed at the same rate.
i hope the info helps out!!
mike:))

Mike

Thanks for the link, words of wisdom, and the PM! Oh, that was my first PM on this forum! You win!

Try your local welding shop, or even the welding area of some well stocked hardware stores. If you have trouble getting any, let me know, my local hardware store has them.


Terry

I drove through your area today and I believe I saw "your hardware store". LoL! I thought that there is another hardware store I need to check out!
 
reading about carbon arc torches brought back memories of my first arc welder. It was a Craftsman 110v. The ground clamp was also a holder for a carbon rod on the other end. you take the other rod holder and stick it into the insulated handle of the clamp. and then as you brought the 2 rods together it created a flame. wow was just thinking about how long ago that was.
 
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