Subj : Arc welding
To   : All
From : MIKE ROSS
Date : Tue Jun 14 2005 12:32 am

Hi,

Started initiating myself to arc-welding when I ran across an old kit
on cleaning an old garage. It is a simple 50A a.c. kit. Basically it
is a transformer with a power switch. I was reading up on a.c. welding
and it was revealed that a.c. heats both the electrode and material
equally, however, d.c. will only produce heat at the positive contact.

So I was thinking of mounting a couple of cheap 70A stud type
rectifiers (or even SCR's, with variable angle control) and give it a
go but I'm not sure what polarity is more appropriate. Whether it is
better to produce heating on the material or the electrode, which is
best? Or is a.c. better than d.c. for arc welding?

Thanks for any comments on informing this welding novice. Please,
don't worry I use gloves, visor, and careful not to ground myself.

 M*i*k*e

.... A computer, a modem, a phone line... what else do you need?
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 * Origin: Juxtaposition BBS, Telnet:juxtaposition.dynip.com (1:167/133)

.