Thus there's always conflict.

 

Perspective 

Matt,

 

Try your local welding supply for copper clad carbon electrodes.  I use 3/16" or 1/4" electrodes.  Tweezers are OK and I have some but seldom use them.

 

What voltage/amperage is your transformer?  

 

Jack

Ask for Arcair rods at your welding supply store.  They are copper clad carbon rods that are used with an arc welder and compressed air source for gouging, removing welds and so on.  They come in various diameters and rectangular sizes too.  You will have to cut them to the length you want and reshape the ends too but that isn't a difficult task.  I have never tried to buy small quantities but I doubt you can buy less than a box which would be two lifetime supplies.  They are consumed rapidly in the process of removing welds etc. and are rarely used in the home workshop so there probably isn't any reason for them to be offered in small packages like welding rods are.  You might be able to find a welding/repair shop that has some and might sell or give you a few.  The welding supply store should be able to help you locate somebody there.

UPDATE:

 

Howard Maculsay was kind enough to send me some for paying shipping - thanks again, Howard!

 

I hadn't had time in the last couple of weeks - due to too many 1:1 projects getting in the way. However, I couldn't wait any longer, and decided to at least find out if this thing is going to work.

I made a crudely formed wooden handle (pic to follow soon) to hold the electrodes, crimped wire terminals on the ends of the rods, and tried it. Let me preface by saying that because I was in a hurry, I did everything incorrectly: I didn't clean the brass, used pipe fitter's flux with a q-tip, etc.  

However, that didn't seem to matter! I soldered to roughly 1" sq pieces of scrap brass together with no problem, in about 3-4 seconds!  WAHOOOO!   It worked just as I had hoped. I have yet to try it on a piece that has another piece soldered near it, but will soon.

I am newly encouraged, and hope to refine everything a bit in the next week. I'll post pics and give you a rough idea of what I did, and how to do it better yourself...In the mean time, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Thanks again for all of your comments/helpful suggestions!

 

Take care,

Matt

 

Matt

 

Thanks for taking the time to let us know how things have worked out for you, and definitely it's good to hear that you got it working.