Re: Welding rods in static gap considered bad

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: BunnyKiller <bunikllr@xxxxxxx>

Hey  Willem...

there are basically 2 different kinds of welding rods...   1: the common 
welding rod that is used to "fill" the material gap as it melts. and 2: the 
rod that is used in TIG or MIG applications...  in style 2, the rod doesnt 
melt to fill the gap, it produces enuf heat to allow the 2 metal sections 
to join and sometimes is used with a "filler" rod to add metal to a wide 
gap.    You are right to say that using style #1 rod as a gap material is 
not a good thing ( they are designed to get hot easily and melt) these rods 
are mostly an iron base material...  but as in case #2 the rod in TIG/MIG 
applications are tungsten or tungsten/thorium ( of 2-10%) which have a very 
hi melt point...
and thats why we prefer that kind of "rod"


Scot D



Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Wim Bosma" <wbosma@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Welding rods in a linear static gap will get quite hot; much hotter than 
> copper pipes. It should be tried only with a hefty blower, otherwise spark 
> quenching detoriates: after a few seconds the HF output will drop. 
> Construction of the spark cage will also be more difficult.
> Regards, Willem, PA0TW
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, April 08, 2005 1:27 AM
> Subject: Re: tungsten carbide magnetic?
>
>
> > Original poster: Lee Kohlman <lwkksw@xxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > I am designing a static spark gap using 1/8" tungsten welding rods (yes, 
> > thoriated but to be used outside).  I have access to phenolic fiberglass 
> > to support them.  I have a total of 10 rods that I would like to lay 
> > parallel and still have some way to adjust gap length.
> > Of course I would love to build a SRSG but that's too involved for 
> > now.  Any suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Lee K.
> >
> > Original poster: BunnyKiller
> >
> >
> > but do you need that extra diameter? I am using 1/8" dia pure welding
> > tungsten no thorium ( and you know what power Im dealing with ;) ...
> > and have very little wear and erosion problems.. plus the minimal
> > diameter makes it easier on disc design and dwell time...
> >
> >
> > Scott D.