Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:19:52 -0700, in =06 mbstevens
wrote:
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The image that goes with the article shows someone striking an arc =
with=20
what appears to be an ABI arc welder with a lot of bare skin exposed.=20
Every book I've read on welding lately gives a stern warning against=20
doing this, because the high UV coming from the arc can cause skin =
cancer.

I'm wondering if the very very tiny arc struck by these kinds of =
welders=20
make this warning unneeded for jewelry welding. I'm thinking that I=20
would at least want a pair of lightweight gloves, long sleeves -- and=20
also a full face shield with my neck covered if I planned to move my=20
face close to the arc.
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The photo in that article, while nice for marketing, is somewhat =
misleading,
since it looks to the viewer like a continuous arc. it isn't. A spark=
is more
like it. These welders not only produce a very small weld arc, but =
it's a very
brief pulse, not a continuous arc weld such as you'd get with a TIG or =
MIG
welder or a typical full sized electrode arc welder. As such, these =
pulse arc
welders, though there is indeed UV in the light from them, don't =
present a
danger to exposed skin. You do need the eye protection, but don't =
bother
covering up skin with these. I mean, you're welcome to do so if you =
wish, but
it's not really necessary... =20
=20
Peter

OK!

I also wish that the article had brought in mcirotorches for comparison.
I'm quite happy with what mine does. I use Oxy/Acetylene, and it does a=20
lot of the stuff the miniarc welders are reputed to do -- I don't own=20
one, and havn't had a chance to actually compare. O/A is no good for=20
platinum, of course. Has anyone used both miniO/A and either minilaser=20
or miniarc for fusion?