It was a blissful (and action-packed) week for me and my family as we vacationed on the beautiful island of Maui.

Even though it was a vacation, I couldn’t resist taking some time to get to know some of the people in the welding industry who live and work right here on this island!

The first stop on our tour was the South Maui Choppers.  They had some cool Arlen Ness choppers available for rent, but they were a bit too bright and shiny for my taste.

After that we cruised on over to Cycle City to look at some of the new Harley-Davidsons.  My wife decided that I should get the new Deluxe Model -  scarlet red and black with silver trim.

The next day I decided to go check out the Maui Motor Speedway.  They had MX races on Saturday night and practice on Wednesday.

I was hoping someone would have a rental available for some track time (I have been eying the new 2010 YZ25), but unfortunately, they didn’t have one available.

Our last stop of the week was at South Maui Bicycles.  I wanted to get the low-down on the new Gary Fisher Rumblefish 29er mountain bike.

I was surprised to learn from the owners that there is not much mountain biking on Maui – it seems that the majority of the land is private property! They do rent out the bikes, but you have to ride them on the road.

You can’t really call that “mountain” biking, now can you?

To top it off, this is the unbelievable view that we got to wake up to every morning – the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, with, if you can believe it –  the world famous Molokini crater right there in the background.

And although we all had a fantastic time soakin’ up the sun and the aloha spirit,  it was just as awesome to get back into the swing of things and see how smooth things are running here at Arc-Zone!

Lots to be thankful for as we start the holiday season.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful thanksgiving…

ArcTime™ Brand Hybrid, One Tungsten Blend For All Materials

State-of-the-Art, Non-Radioactive Tungsten Electrode Formula: For all metals, compatible with all welding machines.

Fabricators from around the world are using ArcTime™ Hybrid tungsten electrodes to improve weld-quality, lower tungsten inventory costs and minimize weld defects.  What started as “cult  product” with a few specialty manufacturers of yatch towers, aerospace parts, mountain bikes and race cars has grown into our most poular tungsten electrode product.

Professional fabricators choose ArcTime™ because of its excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and tip longevity.  In other words, this stuff lasts!

As an added bonus, ArcTime™ hybrid tungsten electrodes work well with all power sources and all metals from mild steel to titanium. The material is clearly differentiated by it’s Sky Blue™ color code.

The NEW ArcTime™ offers all that, at a price even a hobbyist or small weld shop can afford.

We are so certain that you will benefit from the new ArcTime™ Hybrid, we are offering a Unconditional Money Back Guarantee backed by our industry-leading No-Hassle Return Policy.

“You’ll notice a difference just by striking the first arc– no finer electrode exists anywhere,” says Jim Watson, president and founder of Arc-Zone.com, Inc.

ArcTime™ Hybrid Performance Tungsten Electrodes™ pass Arc-Zone.com’s 5-Point Inspection Program and are delivered complete with Arc-Zone’s popular Guide to Tungsten (pdf), and Material Safety Data Sheet (pdf) .

See What Customers Are Saying:

Amazing TUNGSTEN. I never have to switch it out when I weld something new and the arc always strikes perfectly. I am on this for the rest of my welding days!!

Date Added: 05/14/2009 by Roger Wilcox

Some of the best large tungsten I have ever used. I am a definite believer from now on. And they set me up with a Net account in a couple of minutes. A wonderful experience.

Date Added: 05/25/2009 by Duncan Moore

We started using the ArcTime after we had some major quality issues with our tungsten supply. One of the challenges of being a government entity is the material is supplied for a variety of reasons, and most times quality is not one of them! We were using the 1.5% and 2% Lanthanated material, and it varied in performance and each supplier had a box with a different label on it which did not sit well with our welding shop instructor. We tested the ArcTime material and were very pleased with the look of the material, the supporting documentation and most importantly the performance. We do maintenance welds on Aluminum ship hulls – the ArcTime hybrid tungsten out performs all other materials, and saves us a lot of headaches. Now we can focus on welding!

HT2 Hull Technician Pacific Fleet (sent via email)

Date Added: 06/25/2008 by Arc-Zone Admin

Check out what our very own Roxy Fuel has to say about ArcTime™:

Try it for yourself, then tell us what YOU think!

“Is it the machinery or the operator?” That was always my mother’s question when a piece of equipment wouldn’t cooperate with my demands.  Was it the computer’s fault that the printer kept jamming?  Or perhaps… was it the fault of the operator?

The same applies to the world of welding.  Is it really the metal’s fault when a weld doesn’t hold true?  Can you blame the steel for warping?  Was it the machinery’s fault, or was it the operator?

‘Bad’ steel — the ultimate scapegoat

By Art Hedrick

August 1, 2009

It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.

What the heck is “bad” steel? It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Cracking problems? It’s bad steel. Wrinkling problems? It’s bad steel. Springback problems? It’s bad steel. Cold and rainy outside? It’s bad steel. You get the idea.

As a tool- and diemaker, I, too, used to blame the steel for many problems. However, as I learned more about the processes of stamping and metal forming, I quickly came to the conclusion that the steel is not always to blame.

When I’m asked to consult for steel suppliers, the usual scenario is that they are being accused of selling bad steel to their customer, and they want me to go into the stamping facility and defend their honor. To be perfectly honest with you, most of the time nothing is wrong with the steel. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.

I’m not suggesting that there is never a problem with the steel. Stampers have most certainly received steel that was out of spec. What I am suggesting is that you take a hard look at the data before you make a rash decision.

‘Bad’ steel — the ultimate scapegoat

By Art Hedrick
August 1, 2009

It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.

What the heck is “bad” steel? It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Cracking problems? It’s bad steel. Wrinkling problems? It’s bad steel. Springback problems? It’s bad steel. Cold and rainy outside? It’s bad steel. You get the idea.

As a tool- and diemaker, I, too, used to blame the steel for many problems. However, as I learned more about the processes of stamping and metal forming, I quickly came to the conclusion that the steel is not always to blame.

When I’m asked to consult for steel suppliers, the usual scenario is that they are being accused of selling bad steel to their customer, and they want me to go into the stamping facility and defend their honor. To be perfectly honest with you, most of the time nothing is wrong with the steel. Often the root problem is the process used to cut and form the steel — the combination of the die, the press, and the lubricant.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

I took my family to the opening night of the 64^th Annual Del Mar National Horse Show at the world famous Del Mar Fairgrounds, in Del Mar, Calif.  This event signals the start of the horse show season in this historic, beach-side arena.

As we approached the Del Mar Arena, I was surprised to see that a brand new roof had been installed on the open air stadium; the last time I had seen the venue had been at a Vintage Flat Track & TT motorcycle race not too long ago.

This massive project was completed in just 7 months by the Turner Construction Company.  For more information on the project you can check out this video from the San Diego Daily Transcript:  New Roof for Del Mar Arena ->

If you watched the video, you saw that this massive project featured tons of structural steel and miles of welding, cutting, fitting and joining.

The majority of the project was Stick (SMAW) and MIG welded, but a lot of the utility “high-pressure” piping, etc. was TIG welded.  This is yet another example of how the welding and metal fabrication market is involved in nearly everything that we do.  It’s just another reason why I love this industry!

So don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking that the industry is in decline — hardly!  In fact, if you look around, you’ll find that there are plenty of opportunities to build some really neat stuff — now more than ever before!

If you think you had problems in high school, check out this kid:

Thomas Vipod of Colchester, England had to deal with all the normal rigors of high school life while having both Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia on his plate.

And yet, he’s found one class where he tops all the rest, and you wouldn’t believe what it is…

Colchester: Young welder is just outstanding

9:00am Monday 26th October 2009
By Claire Owen

Thomas Vipond is used to being labelled by his Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia.  But now, the 18-year-old from Kelvedon has a brand-new label – outstanding.

Picture: SEANA HUGHES (WKKXJ-03)

Student Thomas, of St Mary’s Road, was honoured with the outstanding achievement prize at this month’s Colchester Youth Awards.

He was nominated by Clyve Tanner, his tutor at Colchester Institute, where he has studied fabrication and welding for the last two years.

Now in his final year, Thomas said he has always had a love of practical pursuits, especially as his dyslexia and Asperger’s syndrome made learning and interaction with others difficult.

“I can’t spell or hand write very well at all, and I used to have problems with people,” said Thomas, who also has limited mobility due to knee problems.

“But I was into engineering from a young age.  I used to like taking things apart and putting them back together, and that’s where I got an interest in welding.”

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

For more information on dyslexia and Asperger’s syndrome, you can visit these helpful website pages from WebMd:

Dyslexia ->

Asperger’s Syndrome ->

Not the Carlsbad, CA where Arc-Zone is locate…  but the one in New Mexico…  thems some big roadrunners!

Iron roadrunners installed at Heritage Park

Posted: 10/05/2009 10:55:12 PM MDT

By Valerie Cranston – Current-Argus Staff Writer

CARLSBAD — Heritage Park near the Flume is now the permanent home to one large and three small quarter-inch plate metal roadrunners designed by Terry Fuson and welded by Jeff Cornwell.

Some time back, Fuson made and gave away a few small metal roadrunners to sit on desktops. The roadrunners were made of large nails, nuts and parts of washers.

He gave one to Heritage Park committee member Dale Janway, who then had the idea to pursue a larger family version to place along the retaining wall in front of the park pavilion.

“At one time someone said to me, ‘You should sell these,’” Fuson said. “I told them why, they give away real good.”

Local artist Gerri Mattson offered to enlarge the small design so it would be easier to cut and assemble.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

If this class was offered at my old high school, who knows – I might actually consider going back!  Automotive restoration?  Welding, painting, and metal fabrication?  Sponsored by the local car museum?  Wait – are you sure this is for high school?

Gilmore Car Museum starts high school auto restoration program

READER SUBMITTED • OCTOBER 15, 2009

An innovative pilot program that matches adult mentors with high school students interested in the automotive arts is the newest educational step being taken by the Gilmore Car Museum, near Kalamazoo, MI to fulfill its mission of becoming a resource to the community.

(Gilmore Car Museum)

Beginning its first full week as an after-school course in automotive preservation, conservation, and restoration, the “Gilmore Garage Works” project selected eight seniors from Hastings High and Delton-Kellogg High, the two high schools in its home Barry Intermediate School District, to be part of the initial class.

Students and their adult mentors, primarily Museum members with long histories in the auto restoration hobby, will use a 1931 Willys-Knight donated to the Museum in 2005 as their first restoration project.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

There is a new welding process, recently developed in Europe, that is said to not only improve welds but also lower the skill required to make them.  It uses a “manual and automated GTAW wire feed control combined with a hot-wire power source” that improves the wire feed, weld pool, and weld deposition and decreases gas consumption.

Enhancing the GTAW process

By Ed Craig, Contributing Writer
September 15, 2009

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG), a popular process for high-quality manual welding, has its limitations and requires highly skilled operators. A process used in Europe addresses those limitations, enhances productivity and weld quality, and reduces the skill level required to GTAW.

For at least six decades, traditional gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG) has been considered the process of choice for attaining high-quality welds in any metal application. However, this process has certain drawbacks, such as the weld energy limitation influenced by the weld pool dynamics and typically slow manual wire feed rates. Manual GTAW requires highly skilled operators who possess the dexterity necessary to feed the wire. Manual GTAW techniques vary, and the weld-wire-to-arc and weld puddle placement are inconsistent.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

Chris Santistevan and John Hams (left to right)

At Arc-Zone.com we get some interesting customers, and Chris Santistevan is no exception. He not only a trapeze artist he is a welder too!

At night he dazzles visitors at the Las Vegas Ultimate Variety Show (see video below).

By day, however, he can be seen fabricating stainless steel above-ground pools for high rise hotels in the city.

Chris called us up looking for a good tungsten grinding solution– Arc-Zone.com offers the industry’s most comprehensive line up of tungsten sharpeners.

He was concerned that his newer employees were wasting a lot of time dressing tungsten on side grinders, and they were getting inconsistent welds.  We got him hooked up with a Sharpie DX-K pro-kit, and he told us a little bit about his work.

Chris fabricates stainless steel custom pool liners as well as  supply pipes, flanges, and tubes.  I didn’t know this, but evidently it’s a requirement that hotels with pools above the twelfth floor have the pool made entirely from TIG welded stainless steel!

Once completed, the pool is then sprayed with gunite to look like  a traditional pool.   As Chris points out, no one ever actually gets to see his work, but it is critical to the safety of the hotel nonetheless!

October 24th was the perfect SoCal Fall night at the Pomona Fairplex for the 2009 finale of the AMA Pro and Gen Romero’s West Coast Flat Track Series.

I was excited to be back at the races again watching the bikes line up on the front straight-away for the rider introductions in front of an overflow crowd.

The pits were jammed with bikes in a variety of classes from the AMA Grand National Pro, including 2009 Champion Jared Mees on the #21 XR 750 Harley-Davidson,  West Coast Experts, Amateurs, and Vintage.

I walked the pits and visited with some old friends and met some new ones too.

I love flat track racing because the bikes are custom built for one thing — speed, whereas in motocross racing, you buy a factory-built bike and  slightly modify the engine and suspension before you are ready to ride.

Flat track bikes are purpose-built from the ground up with hand-made TIG welded chromoly frames, custom-built exhaust pipes, CNC machined wheels, and hand-laid fiberglass tanks and rear fenders.

Each bike is made with the rider’s personal wants and needs in mind,  from the handle bars down to the tires.  A perfect example is Jimmy Wood’s #37 BMW powered machine.

This is a beautiful motorcycle and it looks even better in person!  Made me think about breaking out my old skid shoe!

One of the coolest bikes I saw there was a Grand National Replica street bike.  I had a similar flat track styled bike that I put together — it was based on a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster, but I ended up selling it to one of our reps…

Take a look and let me know what you think!

– Jim Watson, aka Joe Welder –