Ganoksin wrote:

3=3D2E Comparing the Practical Application of Three Welding Systems
By Gary Dawson
=20
AJM Magazine asked me to perform a comparative analysis of three
welding systems performance in several different precious metal welding
applications. I was to analyze the PUK 2 spot welder, which was
developed by Lampert Tools USA Inc. and supplied to me by SEP Jewelry
Tools of Chicago; the Mini Pulse III from Aelectronic Bonding Inc.
(ABI) in Cranston, Rhode Island; and a laser welder. (I used my
Starweld by Rofin-Baasel, which I purchased from Manufacturing
Technologies in San Diego , but the results presented in this article
are accurate for most laser welders used in the jewelry industry.)...
=20
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nena...plications.htm
=20

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.

The manufacturers' of these welders give away a little headband eye=20
filter with them, so obviously they _seem_ to think that this kind of=20
thing is unimportant.

Thoughts? Anybody actually gotten the specs from this kind of arc=20
welder and taken the time to do the math?
--=20
mbstevens
http://www.mbstevens.com/