Welding next to a strong magnet

[Bob]

I was using a 150# magnet to hold some material for welding. It seemed like when I was really close to the magnet the arc was extra erratic. Close is like the MIG nozzle touching the side of the magnet: HH-135; #1 volts; speed 10; .023 solid wire; C25 gas; doing tacks.

Anybody every noticed anything like this??

Bob

[lranch]

Yep. Get too close to the magnet and you will have to chase that arc all over the place. Heat is not good for magnets, a few quick tacks is about all you should do with magnet at weld joint (other side of joint) otherwise they will rapidly weaken. With tig, a strong breeze i.e. Nachos and Beer, will have the same affect.

[Mike Sherman]

It is called arc blow. It is usually associated with SMAW on DC. I suppose a very strong magnet will cause it to happen with other processes. Interesting post.

[Bob]

Thanks,

I thought maybe I was dreaming. It was a 1"x6" 150# "pick-up" magnet holding a sheet metal patch in place for tacking, and at one point pulling the patch back to the desired level.

Bob

[Guest]

Just an interesting note...we had automatic welders welding circumferential welds on .060" stainless rings, and there was a "wiggler" attached to the torch head. In actuality it was a magnet that oscillated the arc from one side of the tungsten to the other. It had timing controls and dwell, etc on it. Made a nice weld. It would make the bead wider as it "wiggled" the arc. One guy even had a small one rigged up to a hand torch. It was pretty slick.