[TowerTalk] Info/Advice re: Exothermic Welds

[Gene Smar]

TT:

     Kelly offers a good suggestion.  I didn't have a problem with the wires in my OneShot mold moving as I used #2 wire that was pretty heavy and long enough that it didn't move during the shot.  But if you're using smaller gauge wire, like #6, it just might be light weight enough that the puff from the flame would dislodge the wires from their precarious position within the mold.  

     Also, I bought my CadWelds from The RF Connection as had been suggested earlier.  IIRC, the price was around $8 each in 2001.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ve4xt at mymts.net 
  To: ersmar at verizon.net ; knowkode at verizon.net ; towertalk at contesting.com 
  Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 7:55 PM
  Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Info/Advice re: Exothermic Welds


  I would also recommend ensuring the wire is secured from movement before letting off the charge.
  I had one wire get blown out of the mould by the charge. The putty Gene and Jim mentions might hold it in, but a brick over the wire to keep it from moving wouldn't hurt.


  73, kelly
  ve4xt


  > From: ersmar at verizon.net
  > To: knowkode at verizon.net; towertalk at contesting.com
  > Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:14:58 -0400
  > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Info/Advice re: Exothermic Welds
  > 
  > TT:
  > 
  > I second Jim's recommendaton about using electrician's putty to seal 
  > the holes in the Cadweld Oneshot molds. I didn't do that for the first shot 
  > I fired and lost most of the liquid charge into the dirt. The second and 
  > all subsequent charges went well for me after I used the putty, especially 
  > underneath the mold where the ground rod penetrates.
  > 
  > As an aside, I had expected a lot of fireworks when the shot went off. 
  > I was disappointed - it was mainly smoke and very little flame. Stay 
  > upwind!
  > 
  > 
  > 73 de
  > Gene Smar AD3F
  > 
  > 
  > ----- Original Message ----- 
  > From: "Jim Hoge" <knowkode at verizon.net>
  > To: "towertalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
  > Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 5:00 PM
  > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Info/Advice re: Exothermic Welds
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > Art,
  > 
  > Cadweld is one product, made by Erico. Thermoweld is another. Erico calls 
  > their single use products Oneshot and yes, the ceramic mold can remain after 
  > the fact. One shots are cheaper up front because you are not buying the 
  > molds and the handles. A different mold is required for each different 
  > application, ie: one wire #4 to ground rod, 2 wire to rod, a #2 wire to 
  > ground, etc. I know Thermoweld makes products for flat strap to rod or 
  > plate. One note on the Cadweld Oneshots- the wire openings on the molds are 
  > a bit oversized and weld material can run out. If you wrap the mold with 
  > electrician's putty, it will remain in place long enough to prevent the 
  > runout. The thermite weld mix lights very easily with a flint igniter. I was 
  > surprised the first time I used it.
  > 
  > 
  > 73,
  > Jim W5QM
  > 
  > 
  > 
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