As many TIG welders know, thoriated (red) tungsten has in the past, been a preferred tungsten electrode blend.  But that’s old skool thinking– there’s better options out there… more on that later.

If you’re like me, you enjoy learning about all kinds of things especially as it relates to welding and metal fabrication.  I recently stumbled across this column over at Salon.com, Blogging the Periodic Table.  It’s a fascinating look at each of the elements in the periodic table–  and each one has a story.  You can read all about Thorium. Though this column doesn’t include information on welding, there some interesting and fun facts sprinkled throughout.

Now if you’ve been TIG welding for a while, you’re all too familiar with the RED tungsten electrodes.  This thoriated blend of tungsten electrode is popular because it is a good general purpose electrode (good for all metals and all machines) has excellent arc behavior and lasts long….  because of the nature of thorium, however, there are some health concerns due to vapors and grinding dust. At Arc-Zone we recommend you only use it if you are contractually required to, especially as there are better alternatives out there.

For more detailed information on health and safety concerns regarding the use of thoriated tungsten electrodes, check out the AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheet: Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes.

We almost always recommend our ArcTime Hybrid Tungsten… it is truly a state-of-the-art improvement over the old thoriated electrodes with excellent ignition properties, low burn off rate and it lasts a long time! I’ll let our spokes model tell you more about it:

To explore other options, check out Arc-Zone.com’s Guide to Selecting Tungsten Electrodes.

I know, the question in the world of welding is usually Red or Blue?  but I couldn’t resist…  and if you can tell me the state where “Red or Green?” is the OFFICIAL state questions, we’ll send you a surprise gift from Arc-Zone.com.

Lincoln Electric is actively  engaged in initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes and products.

From reduced emissions for diesel-driven engine welders — that have met the enhanced 2011 EPA standards since Fall of 2008, to energy efficient inverter technology and the use of non-bleached, biodegradable packaging…  Lincoln is not just RED, but GREEN as well! You can get all the details about Lincoln’s Green Initiative online->

And speaking of Green initiatives, we don’t have an official program, but at Arc-Zone.com we’re pretty conscious of our environmental impact…

We did this video a while ago, but it’s pretty fun to watch, so check it out:

Ever since that article on Spc Ryan Thomas (Part Soldier, part MacGyver) I’ve been thinking about welding in the Army so I plugged into the US Army public affairs division online and started searching…   realizing there must be some pretty amazing metal fabrication going on out there keeping soldiers safe.  Check this out:

Tobyhanna sharpens Talon armament

Apr 26, 2010

By Anthony Ricchiazzi

(Photo Credit: Steve Grzezdzinski)
 

Story Highlights

• The Talon Hermit Robot Deployment System is used for route clearing, mine detection, vehicle inspections and route surveillance.
• Employees are fabricating several kits in a quick-reaction effort for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.
• Finished kits are sent to the center for assembly and shipped to Southwest Asia.

You can read the full article on the US Army website…

And if you know of any men or women utilizing their welding skills in any of the military services, let me know! We’d be honored to feature them here on JoeWelder.com.

We get quite a few fabricators stoppin by the Zone, but imagine our surprise when Skateboarder Josh Kalis walked into the Arc-Zone.com headquarters to pick up a welding helmet….  DC Shoes is just down the street from Arc-Zone…

He rolled up in a cool blacked out Porsche 911 GT2RS and he was getting ready to star a new skating video.  The production company wanted him to skate over a roll-off dumpster, and he told them they needed to put a lid on that thing;  to do that right, they’d need some welding gear.  Josh offered to get it himself and weld it so they could add that to the video.

Josh googled and found Arc-Zone.  ”Sure glad I found you guys,” he told me.

We hooked him up with some stylin’ new Revco flamed out black Stallion gloves and a nice Miller Digital Elite welding helmet.

I  spread out the goods in our styled out conference room– helmets all the colors and graphic options, and told him the the flat black is my fave– you can decal it as you like.   Josh agreed and that was that.

Next the ladies in our Customer Care Department put together the rest of his order and  charged his Amex card.  He even gave up his email address:  ”Put me on the list!” he said.  (Arc-Zone’s monthly email is pretty informative and a fun read)

Josh said, “Man you guys got all the good stuff! When I walked in the lobby I was thinking you only sold online, but I’m blown away!”  He said he’d be buying more from us for his Automotive restoration shop in Michigan — http://www.allspeedperformance.com/

Unfortunately he wasn’t driving this tricked out custom DC Camaro but you can check it out here:

And let us know if you want to stop by! Its great to meet our customers and hear about the projects they’re working on…. We’ll even have you’re order ready to go!

And sign up for our email list to get news of new products, as well as tips and tricks so you can Weld Like A PRO!

Finally catching up on my newsletter reading and came across this awesome article from Lincoln…

Two years ago, Ridler Award winner (and from the looks of this car, a master fabricator) Dan Webb set out to honor this iconic creation by building a low-sloping hotrod variation of the original, the iconic 1917 Golden Submarine Racecar.

The project, powered by Lincoln, is showcased over on the Lincoln website… check it out–>

And if you’re looking to create the kind of TIG welds Webb did, check out Arc-Zone.com’s line up of  TIG Torches. We feature  CK Worldwide and Weldcraft, two fine manufacturers of TIG Torches and replacement parts.

And, did you know Arc-Zone.com  now has CK TIG Torch replacement parts online?  You’ll find the replacement parts listed along side the torches we offer.

Check out this AWESOME opportunity from Miller…

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has launched of its 5th annual Welding Project Contest: The Welding Showdown, a competition to showcase the welding skill and talent of anyone in the industry. Contestants will submit a project in one of three categories (easy, moderate, difficult). Judges will select two finalists from each category based on the project’s creativity, quality of presentation and craftsmanship. Each finalist wins an ArcStation™ 30SX welding workbench, an Arc Armor™ Welding Protection Package and an all-expense-paid trip to Miller’s headquarters in Appleton, Wis. Entries are due by August 10, 2010.

Finalists will receive a tour of Miller’s headquarters and compete head-to-head to build a project, selected by Miller, within a set time period. Miller will supply all materials and tools for the Welding Showdown.

The grand prize winner in each category wins their choice of a Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™ MIG welder with a Spoolmate™ 100 spool gun, a Diversion™ 180 TIG welding package, or a Spectrum® 375 X-TREME™ plasma cutter. For information on contest rules and how to enter, visit MillerWelds.com/Showdown.