DIY arc starter?
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DIY arc starter?
Anyone out there ever built an arc start for their buzz box? I'm thinking about converting my buzzbox into a TIG.
I've figured out how to build the power controller but I'm kinda stuck on the arc starter. I was thinking about using a old coil driven with a horizontal output transistor out of a TV. Has anyone actually done this?
Chris
I've figured out how to build the power controller but I'm kinda stuck on the arc starter. I was thinking about using a old coil driven with a horizontal output transistor out of a TV. Has anyone actually done this?
Chris
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From: Central Kali
DIY arc starter?
Shop around for a used high frequency box. I bought a Lincoln HF unit years ago. It is basically a spark gap radio transmitter. It is simple but would not be easy to duplicate. 
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DIY arc starter?
I would buy a HF unit but that takes all the fun out of it! I was thinking about building an arc-gap setup but I thought: "Wait a minutes, I have transistors and I know how to use them!" Who knows... Maybe I'll try to build something over Christmas.
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From: Central Kali
DIY arc starter?
Maybe but you might fry yourself. 
If I recall correctly, the HF was designed to flow on the surface of your skin should you touch it. RF travels on the outer layer of a conductor rather then throughout it.
If I recall correctly, the HF was designed to flow on the surface of your skin should you touch it. RF travels on the outer layer of a conductor rather then throughout it.
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DIY arc starter?
The reason I can't really recycle the HV unit out of a TV is twofold. First is it's setup to run at a lower frequency (55kHz vs 200-300kHz for an HF unit) and second, most TV flybacks have a diode built into the coil that makes it hard to couple the HV into the welder handly.
And yes, HF will flow along the surface of your skin, especially at higher (<100kHz iirc.) It can also give you RF burns. But that's what welding gloves are for.
And yes, HF will flow along the surface of your skin, especially at higher (<100kHz iirc.) It can also give you RF burns. But that's what welding gloves are for.
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