You can create your own cleaner by always easy to make such a copper scrubby pad in the supermarket and stuffing it into a small container
9/12/2010
Dry Solder Tip Cleaners
The Tools For Soldering
The heat sources normally used for soldering are the electric soldering iron and the gas blowlamp. The once popular traditional flame-heated soldering iron is now rarely used.
When deciding which tool to use you should remember that it is a waste of time trying to solder with a tool that is not powerful enough for the job. Equally well, one which is too powerful may heat up the solder too much and weaken the joint. For very delicate work, you will most likely need to use an electric soldering iron. Some gas blowlamps can do this job well too. For bigger electrical jobs and for soldering jewellery and model-making, you can use a blowlamp which takes a fine or extra fine burner a flame which is quite hot but not too big or diffuse is needed or one of the more powerful soldering irons. For plumbing work soldering capillary joints a gas blowlamp or blowtorch is the most sensible choice. For soldering large lumps of metal (or brazing), you need a powerful blowlamp. You should also think about the following points:
o the temperature the solder and joint have to reach ordinary solder melts at about 250°C, and this temperature must be maintained in the joint all the time it is being made
o the thermal size of the joint and its immediate surroundings - a large joint will need a larger source of heat to enable it to reach the required temperature, and when soldering metals, such as copper, which are very good conductors of heat, a steady supply of heat is needed to keep the temperature high
o the position of the joint if the joint is near temperature-sensitive electronic components like transistors, it is wise to insert a heat sink between the joint and the component to mop up the heat used in soldering to prevent it from travelling. A mass of metal is the usual heat sink, and a good heavy pair of pliers will often do the trick On the other hand, if the joint has a large surface area and is exposed to the air, it may radiate the heat away too quickly. This can be overcome by enclosing the joint in a temporary brick hearth, or by burying part of it in a bed of ashes. Never lay the joint on a good conducting surface.
Brazing
Brazing uses alloys of copper and zinc which melt at much higher temperatures than solder (700 to 800°C) and give stronger joints. A special flux or a borax paste is needed. Braze (or bronze) welding uses the same sort of alloy, but instead of running it into the joint a fillet is built up on the surface. If the joint is small, it may be possible to reach the temperature required with a gas blowlamp, by playing the flame directly on the joint. If this is not successful, a more powerful heat source is needed.
Brazing uses alloys of copper and zinc which melt at much higher temperatures than solder (700 to 800°C) and give stronger joints. A special flux or a borax paste is needed. Braze (or bronze) welding uses the same sort of alloy, but instead of running it into the joint a fillet is built up on the surface. If the joint is small, it may be possible to reach the temperature required with a gas blowlamp, by playing the flame directly on the joint. If this is not successful, a more powerful heat source is needed.
A brazing attachment is available for use with an arc welder. This usually takes the form of two carbon rods fixed in a hand-held clamp. An arc is created between the tips of the two rods, and the resulting flame is used to heat the joint.
This source is both powerful and fierce, so it is advisable to practise this method before attempting to use it for repair.
Oxy-acetylene welding equipment is frequently used for brazing the heat is easily controlled by using the appropriate size nozzle and the torch is easy to manipulate. Unfortunately, these advantages tend to be outweighed by the difficulty in getting hold of the gases.
Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
If you’re a welder — even an amateur — you probably already own a great welding helmet. But what about friends who come over and want to “help?” Do you have a helmet for them? That’s a perfect time for a cheap-ass tool, and Harbor Freight has some deals that might interest you, like this auto-darkening helmet — complete with Discovery-channel-blue flames! — for $60.
It features a 1/25,000 second switching speed and a variable shade control that adjusts it between a #9 and a #13. It appears to be (like most of these) solar-powered, but it also has a backup battery.
Get it Here
Vinyl Flooring Welding
988 Vinyl Welding Kit
This industrial-quality electronic gun features precise heat, and comes with a pencil-tip nozzle 9#963), Triangular tip (#961) and round tip (#962). Our pencil tip nozzle and tips are standard size to fit other common guns, and are sold separately. The #979 is a universal tip for both Crain #960 or previous #980 heat guns, and adjusts for welding 3mm or 5mm round threads, or half moon triangular threads.
970 Power Groover
This tool tracks in the seam line to cut a trapezoidal groove for welding. Features simple, precise dept adjustment, effective chip control, and metal carrying case. Comes with a 12 tooth 130mm carbide-tipped blade (971). This blade is compatible with other common groovers, and has trapezoidal teeth which can be re-sharpened. 110V AC 9A No load RPM 12,000. Maximum cutting depth 130mm.
985 Quarter Moon Knife
Used for trimming the excess of the vinyl weld thread flush to the flat floor's surface, after the weld has cooled. the knife's flexible top edge is razor-sharp. Pushed against the weld excess, this curved edge shaves the weld flush. Made by Crain Tools.
987 Pressure Roller
Used to roll the vinyl welding thread tightly into Groover in awkward areas, such as up coved walls, The handle is drilled through. so the welding thread passes through it instead of the welder tip for usage. Made by Crain Tools.
983 Hand Groover & Blades
This tool is often used in doorways or to finish the ends of long seams where the power groovier can't go. Comes with several extra blades stored in the hollow handle. Made to cut pulling.
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The History of Welding Tools
In 1885, Nikolai Benardos and Stanislav Olszewski were granted a patent for an electric arc welder with a carbon electrode called the Electrogefest. Nikolai Benardos (Russia) and Stanislav Olszewski (Poland) are considered the inventors of modern welding apparatus.
Definition of Welding
According to Encyclopedia Britannica:
"Welding is a technique used for joining metallic parts usually through the application of heat. This technique was discovered during efforts to manipulate iron into useful shapes. Welded blades were developed in the first millennium AD, the most famous being those produced by Arab armourers at Damascus, Syria."
By Mary Bellis
9/06/2010
Universal Grinding Gauge
Made from heavy-duty 14ga stainless steel, the grinding gauge can check 55°, 60°, 90°, and 120° internal and 60°, 90°, and 120° external angles. Silverline manufactures their tools for the UK so the etched graduations read in metric.
9/03/2010
What's the Difference Between a Soldering Iron and Gun?
Soldering is a technique that has many applications both industry related or recreational. Essentially, it is the process of melting a tin and copper mixture, called solder, so that it binds with other metals, but the tools can also be used to melt or cut other materials. The unique techniques for these applications involve a high level of craftsmanship, but can be learned quickly and perfected with practice. The two main tools used for this will be either a soldering iron or a soldering gun. Although these tools are similar, their applications will vary based on their inherent nature.
The Iron
The soldering iron is perfect for binding fragile electronics and delicate jewelry. The gun runs from a range of 15-30 watts, reaching up to 350 F. This allows it to easily melt the solder or other light metals in a matter of minutes. The tool is capable of completing procedures that require precision as apposed to intense melting power. This is why the iron is generally used for binding smaller materials: In electronics it is used to create currents by properly bonding metal conductors and in jewelry it can be used to successfully bind precious metals without damaging them.
The Gun
The soldering gun is intended for applications that may require more heat than the iron. The robust output of the gun ranges from 100-240 watts, allowing it to reach degrees up to 2400 F, so it can be used in jobs that require melting heavier solder or a cutting through stronger metal. For example: Plumbing uses the gun to seal copper piping, stained glass artisans use it to fill the space between the glass shapes, and metal worker will even use it to cut precise shapes out of sheet metal.
Although these tools both essentially serve the same function,heating and melting metals, based on their power they must be used for completely different purposes. This just shows how the application of soldering is so broad; it isn't limited to one application, and even requires different strength tools. Therefore, when trying to understand the difference between a soldering iron or gun, it is more important to understand what needs to be accomplished with the tool. The soldering iron does not have the capacity to melt strong metals or solder and the soldering gun will be completely impractical for precise electronic soldering or crafting jewelry.
Now when you want to shop for a soldering iron or gun, an online electronics store is a great place to look. |
The Portable Rod Oven: An Indispensable Welding Tool
The portable rod oven is an indispensable welding tool to have while on the welding job. As one of the many welding accessories available to welders, the welding rod oven - also referred to as an electrode oven, hot box or welding electrode stabilizing oven - has been refined and redesigned over the years in order to accommodate welders that operate in a variety of challenging environments.
The portable range of rod ovens seeks to provide the welder a convenient means to maintain electrodes at optimum temperatures where the welding job may take them.
The portable rod holding oven is used all over the world for welding projects. This highly important tool comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. From round cylindrical shapes which stand upright, to rectangular models shaped like tool boxes, these valuable tools have been designed in many different ways to enhance the portability for welders.
The trend in welding rod oven design has been to increase the light weight nature of the product so that the user is not burdened with a heavy, cumbersome tool that is difficult to operate and bring to the field. Most rod ovens are made of painted steel and treated with a chemical resistant finish to protect against damage from chemicals and exposure to the elements.
For welder testing and approval, some states even require that a rod oven be used on site at all times for all low-hydrogen welding jobs. This demonstrates the importance of the rod oven as a welding tool in today's industry.Many problems can result in the weld if improper welding rod storage procedures are not followed on site such as porosity, hydrogen embrittlement and cracking.
Proper welding rod maintenance is absolutely essential in welding and should not be overlooked. Opened, low-hydrogen welding rod containers are unfortunately a familiar sight at welding jobs, with many welders not paying attention to the ramifications of improper storage. This can lead to many problems down the road, possibly costing many thousands of dollars in repair work and time.
Martin Rice is a writer for RodOvens.com, where we make it an objective to educate consumers about the benefits of using this crucial welding storage tool. At RodOvens.com, better welds are our business. Our objective is to make rod ovens affordable for welders by selling directly online, and avoiding cost-doubling and cost-tripling distribution methods that are common in the welding industry. |
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