Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-27
WELDING BY ELECTRICITY.
A Successful Exhibition Of this Novel
Process.
From the Boston Herald

From the Boston Herald
In response to invitations of Mr.. II. A. Royce,
general manager of the Thomson Electric Weld
ing company of this city, about fifty gentlemen
assembled at the station of the Maiden Electric
company, in Maiden, to witness the novel pro-
cess of welding metals by electric current.
There were three welding machines one
small and the other two much larger. The first
is called the inch-iron machine, for the reason
that it has a capacity of welding from a quarter
to an inch bar iron. 1t will also weld copper
from one-eighth to one-half inch in diameter
and brass of somewhat larger size. One of the
larger machines is known as the pinch pipe
machine, as it has the capacity of Welding
heavy pinch iron pipe and smaller sizes. The
third is called the pinch iron machine, and will
weld solid bar of iron of that size, as we'll
smaller sizes. These machines are supplied
with current by a dynamo having a constant
potential of about 800 volts, and strength from
80 to 80 amperes.
The exhibition of welding was begun on the
small machine, when several pieces of iron.
brass, and copper were successfully welded,
much to the surprise and qualification of those
present, the work on this machine being closed
by the welding of bar Of iron an inch in di-
ameter. The principle of this process is SO
simple and so direct that the wonder is nobody
thought of it before. 1t is based on the mean
descence of the carbons in the arc light. In
these latter the carbons are placed by the trim
mer so as to touch. and when the current is es-
tablished in the circuit and goes through them
they are drawn slightly apart by proper me-
chanism in the lamp. The electric current, en-
countering great resistance from the air, pro-
duces great heat which, acting on the carbOns,
gives white Observation-Disclosures the arc
light. This principle is utilized in welding.
The ends of metals to be welded are brought in
close contact; then the current is run through
them, and when it is established these ends are
separated slightly, when the electric arc is
formed between them and heat ensues, which
by skilful arrangement Of the machine, is
gradually intensified until the desired welding
heat is obtained. At this juncture the current
Is shut of by the operator. and the machine
manipulated so as to press the heated ends to-
gether, when the well is at once completed.
The whole process is clean, neat. beautiful.
In the weddings done on the small machine the
file showed the homogeneity of the metal at
the point of junction, and to show how strong
this weld was Mr.. Lemp twisted one of the
joined bars until the metal broke, but the break
was not at the weld.
Next an exhibition was given of welding 2
inch pipe on the machine designed for that
purpose. This was as readily and as easily eff
fected as in the case of the smaller bars in the
first machine, the weld being perfect, and
leaving but little ridge on the inside
Then on the third machine bars of solid 2
inch iron were welded with the greatest ease
and In the most perfect manner. The metal at
first assumes at the junction a dull reddish
color. This color gradually extends on each
side about one inch or So but while it is spread
ing there is a change to a white heat where
the metals meet. Borax is used to prevent
outside oxidation only Then there is the
sudden shutting off OF the current. a forcing
together of the heated ends. with the result of
a complete union of the metals The whole
process is one of marvellous simplicity and at
the same time wonderful completeness.