A set of tools I can't figure out

[seamiles]

So I got a set of tools from some super old school glass blower I got your typical graphite stuff but then he gave me these anyone know what they are or uses for ? http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/04/a7uhedy5.jpg


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[Trevor]

arc welding?

[PyroChixRock]

Yep

[PyroChixRock]

You can strip the copper off or leave it on and use them like any other graphite tool.

This used to be all we had back in the day lol

[JBob]

I still use these, have a bunch atound 7mm I have sharpened in a pencil sharpener. Got a bag of them a while ago super cheap they work sweet

[seamiles]

Sweet thanks guys I assumed they were homemade tools just wasn't positive

[blazemaster83]

I got one of these given to me a long time ago by a fellow glassblower. I used it for probably 5 years and worked fine. I sharpened it on my metal lathe every few months, I think it may still be in a box somewhere. Cheapest graphite reamer around lol. My only complaint is the graphite is pretty coarse.

[Tzonis]

If you have an old school pencil sharpener that should do the trick to get it sharpened. I used this style for a few years when I was first starting. Then again that was 10 years ago :)

[funksizzle]

Copper clad graphite. Mountain glass sells em. They are stronger with the copper around, and hence are least likely to snap in the smaller sizes. There only a buck or two more. And second on the pencil sharpeners. I sharpened em up as good as my sharpeners can. There arent to fine tip, because the widths, and lengths you want them to sharpen to(taper) is different. With a few brands of dual sharpening, you might eventually get em. Maybe that's what old school sharpeners for?

The other benefit is your hands dont get graphite on them. I still sleeve mine in aluminum tube though.

[menty666]

Yeah, they still conduct the heat really well.

[somewhere]

Buy them by the box from your welding store. 1/4" should be less then .50 each 1/2" right around .50 each and if your lucky they can order up to 1.25". Usually 50 in a box.

I found non copper clad carbon to be of better quality. I guess they figure the copper will hold them together.

I consider these a consumable and somedays go through a handful without thinking. It's easy to miss the water bucket or have them roll off the fire carriage.

I do size them for certain applications and use holders that are labeled. If you sharpen the tip then sand two sides of the tip it will ream holes like a dream.

Another tid bit. They make these gouging rods in very small diameters which I find useful.

[tilman]

they are acctually for gouging or cutting through metal with a machine called an arcair. the rods clamp into a holder thats like a welding rod holder. uses high voltage arc and compressed air to blow away the molten metal. works like a e.d.m. (electrical discharge machine). here is a link to the company...

http://victortechnologies.com/arcair/

61549

[highwater]

An easy way to sharpen graphite is by chucking it into a drill (1/2") chuck, and rotating the end against a piece of sand paper. Whittles it down quickly and basically centered.

tilman- thanks for digging up that pic and description. rep given.

[PyroChixRock]

That's cool :) repped

[Firekist]

i use these as well.. but less these days. i caved in and purchased a couple sticks from blastshield of 1/4" graphite.. something like 15$ a piece.. and.. i think they are worth it.
the graphite is way smoother, and much much harder. my electronic pencil sharpener has a difficult time sharpening it!

i put the rods into a round soapstone holder that most welding shops will carry.. for like 2$.

anyway.. yup.. welding stores.
--seth