yes what i am trying to ask i guess is how was that arc maintained - there is not enough voltage to bridge a 1" gap, i thought the gas was inert apart from the 5%? oxygen?
Arcs need voltage & current, yes the current is there but its only what? 140v?
No, the wire stopped but the flame/arc kept going permanently - i managed to stretch it out to about an inch and for about 10-15 seconds, pretty much like a carbon arc would but the flame was green/yellow not white.
The tip/torch would be practically cold as only the 2nd weld of about 30mm long.
Just dragging this up for an update.
The problem with the flare-ups is most definitely a wire-feed issue so thanks to all those that suggested wire-feed.
On Friday i had another flare-up, mid-weld and the usual bacon sizzle was replaced with a bright flame and loud hissing noise, i managed to...
Next time i cut one i'll get some pics. Its just a fine dross but on the inside lower edge of the cut - normal dross is on the rear face. It give a rough edge and is a bugger to get at because its on the inside face.
Thats exactly my thought too, which is why it previously worked ok on plain steel brushes, the stainless ones really grab, you can feel it.
I use this on the front ...
But the drums are c£10 a go and don't last long on metal, it needs a model designed for steel. Maybe the one quoted by The...
Thanks Gaz1, seem s my fuel was too bulky, i'll play again when weather permits, its foul here today :(
The broader firebox seems to help too.
Bristol Rocket Co is no longer running BTW
Yep but i don't think they will have the grunt to get the job done - its takes a fair bit of effort to do what needs doing, two-hand on the grinder/cup-brush.
Sounds good, i think my fuel might have been too chunky, bits of wood around 3/4 x 1" - would not take much to fill the small feed area i guess, i'll try again.
I can honestly admit it scared the sh1t out of me, lucky i use riggers gloves but the thought of a wrapped up strip of thin stainless 1m x 300mm whipping round at bench height was enough to make me look for other ideas.
I guess air tools don't have the guts or the inertia of an angle grinder...
Yes i was frying bacon in the garden at about 10deg C :) Tasted good though.
The feed hopper angle is 50 degrees, I read that 50-60 degrees worked well so chose 50.
I occasionally cut 1.2mm stainless on the plasma cutter, detailed stuff like plaques with letters and numbers etc, the cut is always very slightly rough and needs finishing work.
Used to use a steel cup brush until i started looking into steel pollution causing premature rusting and staining...
Just a refresher, no too worried about this now as it seems to only do it very rarely at present.
Have been messing with the Esab in manual mode, different feed and voltage, mostly messing with voltage to see the effects. I twerked the voltage up way beyond the recommended, probably was about...