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Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup October Vol. 2 (2017)

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Spooky 2017:  Dress-up your Torch, Savings on Spooky Stuff, Welding High, an Evil Fabricator & a Steel Quandary.

SAVE 10% ON SKULLS & MONSTERS

In honor of Halloween, we’ve slashed 10% Off all items with “Skull” or “Monster” in the name, including our popular Monster nozzles. So head to the search bar and check-out all the spooky options, if you Dare… But don’t be paralyzed with fear or wait around, like those victims in scary movies, these saving vanish after the 31st.
Use the Code: MNSTRSKL17 at check-out for the savings to appear out of thin air.

WE WON’T TELL YOU WHERE TO STICK ‘EM

Frankenstein may have made the V-Block Spacer famous, but we’re not convinced his use of the tool is the most effective. Deploy your tools to make your welding life better & your productivity higher. The Right Tools Make All the Difference… or a Fashion Statement! Seriously… they look like Spacers!

DRESS-UP OPTIONS FOR YOUR TIG TORCH

Choose from our TIG torch costumes, designed especially for your torch to scare out the best welds on the planet:
✓  BIG, Harry Monster24
✓  Thermal Shock Resistant Super [Hero] Cup
✓  The Invisible [Gas Saver] Man
✓  LowRider Gangster
✓  TIG Agent of the S.H.I.E.L.D.
✓  Cute, Furry Monster12

THE GREAT [IMPORTED] STEEL DEBATE

Like so many complex issues… it all depends on which side of the fence you’re standing. Global trade has forever changed economies both big & small. The steel market has been a political hot button for U.S. producers. But how do imports affect fabricators? How would your business change if you had to pay double or triple for steel? What’s the right ting to do? What’s the best policy to adopt to generate the most benefit and jobs? This article in The Fabricator is good but it only tells one side of the story…

AFRAID OF HEIGHTS?

Do Not Click on this Video! Unless you wanna test your freefall stomach. It’s just a couple of guys hangin’ out, passing the afternoon, while the welder handles some business ‘Round the outside, Slim Shady style & perched up on a 220 ft tower.

#WELDLIKEAPRO

We’re Honored to feature Jason Cullen (@evil_metalworks), a hard-working, small business owner, who fabs up some of the most jaw-dropping work on the planet. Jason & his Team at Evil Metalworks are scary talented. If you want to create a one-of-a-kind design element for one room, an entire hotel, or your outdoor living space, and you’re in the pacific NW, there’s no other option. Early on, Jason put our LowRider Gas Lens Kits to the test & they got him outta a tight spot more than once. Jason’s kind enuf to share his work on IG… and as a husband & father, his girls are his most cherished creations on the planet. Check ’em out or evil spirits may haunt you… Boo!

Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup September Vol. 1 (2017)

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August 2017: Prep. Step. Weld. Repeat. Then Watch & Read to be reminded Why you follow documented weld processes.

STEP ON IT!!!

Having the right foot control is essential to maintaining a consistent arc. Just like your work shoes, the pedal has gotta feel comfortable under your foot. So kick back, settle in, and press down on that pedal to strike the perfect arc. We’ve got whatever cord length and plug combination you need.

I’D BE LOST WITHOUT YOU…

Is it weird to talk to your favorite tools and let them know how much you appreciate them? Well, yes… but it’s ok to tell your friends which tools have made your [weld] life better. We’ve even produced a little video to share some of our favorites and how useful they are. Check it out… the tune is kinda catchy too.

GET YOUR WELDX ON

The WeldX Jacket by Miller is definitely a staff favorite. It has the durability of a leather jacket but is light and comfortable from Day 1. If you’re looking to treat yourself (or send a hint to someone who wants to see you well protected), you can’t go wrong with the jacket of all trades.

FLYING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS…

Generally leads to making mistakes that coulda been avoided. Set yourself up for success, avoid rework, and the plague of weld failure. Spending time on proper prep, actually saves time & money. No one likes a dirty, sloppy weld with:  misalignment, inclusions, closing the root gap too much, inconsistent penetration, and cracking. Check-out the article in last month’s Fabricator for a few tips to share with your team.

BAD WELD = BAD RACE [START]

Why is good weld penetration so important?… Hmmm… because if it’s horrible, you just might twerk your frame right in half! And nobody wants to see that… Well, maybe we’d like to see it, so long as we weren’t responsible.

#WELDLIKEAPRO

Andrew, who’s from the UK, has been welding since he was 16 years old. He started welding with his father, and Andrew now TIG welds primarily in the food and beverage industry. Can you say [INSANE]itary, High Purity welding skills? In his spare time, he enjoys anything related to cars, Formula 1, and going to the gym. Cheers to Andrew (@Budgie195) and all the women & men who burn metal each day to make it happen. Share your journey w/ us on social media. We’d love to cheer you on too!

Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup August Vol. 2

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August 2017: How Hot is too Hot? No Worries. Transformers, Water coolers, Monster cups & the Multitool will keep you cool!

MONSTER IS [TIG] LIFESTYLE IN A CUP

Who needs an energy drink, when you can get amped up by stackin’ dimes? Regardless of which [flavor] you choose, Arc-Zone has a Monster TIG nozzle to help you Weld Like a Pro. If you’re welding exotic alloys (i.e. Titanium, Stainless Steel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel, Chromoly, Docol R8), you can benefit from the Monster’s:

    -Improved Gas Coverage
    -Better Arc Stability
    -Longer Tungsten Stick-out (better joint access & visibility)
    -Light, Compact Feel that Won’t Weigh Down your Torch

HELP YOUR TORCH BEAT THE HEAT

Abicor Binzel® water coolers deliver excellent cooling & value for under $800. Constructed of high-quality components, with a rotational molded, long life plastic tank with quick release hose connections and adapters. Designed for water cooled MIG, TIG and PAW welding torches rated up to 600 amps. Be more productive and extend the life of your torch by running cooler.

MASTER YOUR METAL

The Multitool™ is so much more than a traditional belt sander, this versatile tool has a belt speed of ~5,400 sq.ft./min. It removes material up to 5 times faster than with a grit grinding wheel. Enjoy 5 grinding areas in one machine: contact wheel, platen grinding, slack-belt grinding, disc grinding, & stone wheel grinding. It’s so great, you’ll want to put it on a pedestal..

ALUMINUM: HOW HOT IS TOO HOT?

A reader asks Practical Welding Today which filler to use for 6061-T6 with service temps from 300-600F… But is aluminum even appropriate for his application?… Hmmm… What do you think? What did the experts recommend?

BUILDING REAL LIFE TRANSFORMERS

We love to see people re-purpose scrap metal and design creations that strike awe into those who experience them. This father-son duo was inspired by the Transformer movie, and theGIGANTIC transformers they’ve created from car parts are simply spectacular. Not only that, their passion has spawned a small business enterprise and strengthened their relationship. Great Big Story, the media company that uncovered their story, travels the globe to discover the untold & flat-out amazing.

#WELDLIKEAPRO

Wes of @Wicked_Welding has spent the last few years building his business and his shop. From what we can see, theshop is as clean & organized as his approach to welding. By starting with the right tools, a lotta sweat, and a clear vision of where you wanna go, you can achieve your dreams. If it were easy… everyone would do it. Celebrate your successes and learn from your setbacks, so that at the end of the day, you’re that much stronger. Cheers to Wes, and all the men & women who burn metal each day to make it happen. Share your journey w/ us on Social media. We’d love to cheer you on too!

Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup August Vol. 1

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August 2017:  A fascination with the Eclipse, welding in space, an Orbitalum Grinder, & our TIG Finger [Spacesuit].

WANNA CATCH THE SOLAR ECLIPSE?

If you and/or your family are planning to catch the solar eclipse on August 21, you’ll wanna have the right lens in your hood, goggles, or homemade viewing apparatus. Any lens less than a #14 is not recommended for safe viewing. If you can make out the landscape thru the lens, it’s not dark enough. Your auto-darkening helmet won’t cut it either. We’ve put together a goggle+lens kit and we’re offering just the #14 lenses… while supplies last!!!

ORBITALUM GRINDER: IT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD

Ideal for Orbital Welding applications and features precision-drilled tungsten guides which accommodate 6 different tungsten electrode diameters from .040″ to 5/32″. TheOrbitalum also offers 2 models, each w/ 4 pre-set grind angles to ensure reliable arc starting and proper weld penetration.

A SPACESUIT FOR YOUR FINGER

The Tig Finger™ Heat Shield hasn’t actually been used in space (that we know of), but it’s 100% Awesome and hand-made right here in the USA. It’s not rocket science, but it IS One Great Invention, and there’s no need to Feel the Burn! At Arc-Zone, we’ve got both the Original Finger and the XL Finger created by Jody at Welding Tips & Tricks.

WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT?

We don’t know about you, but we’re fascinated by the Eclipse. If you want a lil’ more info about this celestial event, including the why, how, when, and where – Check-out our blog. Most of our info came from NASA, and we feel smarter, just for having read through their resources. Enjoy & Safe Viewing out there!!!

SO YOU WANNA WELD IN SPACE, DO YOU?

You gotta know about Cold Welding, which causes the +ions and -electrons in each piece of bare metal to fuse together with just a little bit of force. No heat or melting required; just the lack of atmosphere and pieces of similar metal. The field of Nanotechnology has harnessed the power of cold welding to join tiny nano wires perfectly in a vacuum setting.

#WELDLIKEAPRO

Go Big or Go Home! Jason knows big, heavy equipment maintenance and has spend most of his career working for theArkansas Hwy & Transportation Dept. That work keeps him guessing, because on any given day he could do MIG,TIG, stick, or braze… inside the shop or out in the field. At his home shop, Jason gets to showcase his creative talent, fab-ing custom light fixtures, ornamental rails, and anything else that comes his way. He is always willing to share tips with newbies & applauds their efforts to build up their skills by spending time-under-the-hood! Plus he’s an avid Star Wars junkie – what’s not to love!!! Check-out Jason’s (@moser_fab) work on IG.
“Your focus determines your reality.” -Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars)

Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup July Vol. 2

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July 2017:  Go Barefoot but Sleeve-up, get into 250 position, align your pipes, and upgrade your hard-wired TIG torch

BEAT THE HEAT:  SLEEVE UP

In some jobs, people talk about rolling up their sleeves, but in our line of work that’s not an option. Beat the heat and sleeve up, instead of dawning that full [metal] jacket. Who says welders don’t know how to accessorize? The Right PPE Makes All the Difference (and prevents burns too)!

SET IT & FORGET IT

So it may not cook your pot roast, but the pipe alignment clamps are made of a double-walled steel and equipped with a quick-acting screw to optimize fit-up and release time. Uses include joining: pipe to elbow, pipe to tee, and pipe to flange more quickly and accurately. Press. Slide. Set. And Go!

THE POWER TO CHOOSE [AN UPGRADE]

Update the power and work lead connections on your Miller™ Diversion 165, 180 & Hobart™ EZ-TIG 165i TIG machines. Our Upgrade Kits put You back in the driver’s seat; choose the torch you want to use, instead of that hard-wired, standard issue torch. Install the kit, upgrade to a new high-performance Air or Water-Cooled TIG torch, and you’ll never look back.

GOT TWO TURNTABLES & A MICRO[TORCH]

We think that the WP-250 is definitely “Where it’s at!” So recorded a video highlighting a few reasons why this light duty positioner could convince you to finally ditch your modified record player turntable. The WP-250 is a robust solution for consistent holding and rotating of parts in your welding workstation, holding 440 lbs horizontally and 250 lbs. vertically. Unfortunately, we weren’t nominated for Billboard’s MTV video music awards… yet!

A TOWN FOR BOYS [TO LEARN A TRADE]

“Probably no American institution is more closely associated with rescuing children from neglect and helping them rebuild their lives than Boys Town, the residential village in Omaha, Nebraska.” What does trade revival mean to Boys Town? “It’s about skilled employment and an opportunity to earn a better wage, to have a career instead of a job.” Having a skill allows [the boys] to translate their desires into a better wage and a better life.” Their welding classes just started this year!

THEY’VE GOT NOTHIN’ ON JESUS

Chances are you’re feelin pretty hot & steamy this summer (unless you’re chillin’ in Aussie-land), especially if you’ve had any time under the hood. There’s no better place to chill-out than on the water. This compilation of barefoot follies is bound to cool you down & make you laugh. Enjoy!

#WELDLIKEAPRO

We love to showcase talented welders, great welds, and we love to meet these folks when they shop in our showroom. Bill (@mccannfab) has a background in technical illustration, drafting, fabrication and machining. He moved to California 15 years ago and worked on high end vehicle builds. A few years back, Bill had health issues that changed his life course; his art sprang from that adversity. Bill channels his love for Motorsports and vintage motorcycles into his metal art. The detail he adds to his miniature pieces is awe-inspiring!

Arc-Zone The Metal Mashup June Vol. 2

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June 2017: Protect yourself this summer from evil vapors, poor visibility & gnarly pipe joints with the best tools on the planet!

[SAVE] YOURSELF FROM NOXIOUS VILLAINS!

Seriously, those noxious fumes & vapor are evil villains trying to enter and blacken your lungs. Don’t pass-up our breath-saving Offers, exclusively for Metal Mashup subscribers:
  • Use Code @ Check-out:  BREATHE25 (expires July 1st)
  • 15% savings on a 3M PPE Bundle (Savings built into bundle price)

LET’S GO TUBIN’ THIS SUMMER

Lucky #15 Monster nozzle is like a photgrapher’s wide angle lens (just a lil’ more rugged) that captures the entire scene. These bad boys use a large diameter gas lens to diffuse heat & maximize shield gas coverage. If you’re planning to go tubin’ down the river or walkin’ the cup across a pipe, invest in a Heavy Duty Monster15.
The Right Tools Make All the Difference!

The Clear Choice

The 1/2″ Orifice Pyrex glass nozzle provides excellent visibility of the weld puddle and tungsten electrode; it’s ideal for inside corners, inside pipe & around tubing. Gas Saver™ kits are available in tungsten electrode sizes from .040″ (1.0mm) to 5/32″ (4.0mm). Arc-Zone is dedicated to setting you up for success with the best accessories on the planet.

The Next Big Sport!

In this edition of ARC Magazine they state how collaborations from metal fabricators, mechanical engineers, programmers, hydraulic and electronic technicians take place in order to bring life to the giant robots and “create a real-life epic battle of science fiction.”

HAZMAT HWY TO HELL. OH MY!

This is a new version of our ALL TIME favorite & most popular “Fun” welding-related video. Enjoy the chaos & the drama – It’s Awesome! And Feel better about your own commute, cuz it isn’t that bad after all…

#WELDLIKEAPRO

Colton (@coltonbontrager) is a 20 year old welder from Wasilla, Alaska. He has been welding for 3 years and is currently working on an all TIG job in the aerospace industry. He enjoys fabricating and designing things. Colton also takes any chance he gets to go out to explore Alaska, whether it be by land, sea or air. We love to celebrate welders and fabricators across the country & the globe who literally make Great things every day.