Most of those entering the world of welding today will find themselves involved with one of the more advanced methods of welding rather than older techniques, like carbon arc welding. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some welders in the industry who use this technique and it still has its place from time to time as the better alternative.
Oddly enough, although carbon arc welding isn’t usually used for the initial weld, it can be quite useful at removing previous weld marks and repairing a weld seam. Cutting and gouging are the most common uses for carbon arc welding.
Gouging is a technique where the arc is struck and held short as the air is turned on. By holding the torch at a somewhat flat angle as the air pressure pushes at the metal, the desired effect is achieved. All that is needed to get a cutting action is to hold the torch at a different angle. As one might surmise, a high level of skill and training is required to get the best results.
There are some advantages of using carbon arc welding to consider. First of all, as an electrical process, shielding gas isn’t necessary so splatter isn’t a concern, nor working in outdoor conditions such as rain or wind. The cost for the equipment is more affordable, in part because less is needed. This also permits ease of portability. Carbon arc welding can be done on dirty metal, which is not a possibility with most welding techniques.
Here at Master Metal Fabrication, we don’t let any technique fall to the wayside as each has its ideal use. If you need carbon arc welding services or any other type for a small or large welding project, including on-site fabrication, be sure to give us a call. We can schedule a consultation for providing welding solutions for your needs.