[Jewelry making - Article 00442] - Re: [Orchid] PUK 2 argon spot welder

[James Binnion]

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Hi Scott,

    So did you master the laser by only playing with it briefly?  Like
    the laser the PUK has a definite learning curve.  As an owner of the
    PUK 2 for a couple of months now I am truly pleased with what can be
    done with it. And yes you can do heavy welds like a ring shank.
    Would I normally fix a shank this way, no not in the majority of
    cases but if I have a repair that is heat sensitive and  too much
    trouble to take apart to solder then it is a reasonable way to go.
    Is it a replacement for a laser? I don't know, I have only played
    with lasers. But For the ten to one price difference between a laser
    and a pulse arc welder ($20,000-$30,000 for the laser $2,000-$4,000
    for the pulse arc)  I would encourage  any one  looking at getting a
    welder to look at the PUK 2 and see if it will do what you need. It
    is phenomenal for tacking assembly before soldering. It also is very
    useful for fixing pits and porosity. You can also do strange things
    like weld gold to titanium.  I belive that if you are a goldsmith /
    metalsmith who wants a welder for fabrication chores the pulse arc
    welders are a very viable solution. If you are a retail shop or
    trade shop that does lots of repairs the laser is more likely the
    way to go but you have to make a lot of money with it to pay for it
    you need to clear about $30 a day with the laser just to pay the
    purchase price you also have ongoing maintenance costs to deal with.
    So if your operation can support the cost then a laser is a cool
    tool, no doubt and while I would love to have one as I am a tool
    junkie I just cannot justify the cost. So for me the pulse arc is a
    good alternative. 

    As to the original posters questions about work next to stones yes
    the heat level is low enough to be safe when used next to stones. I
    haven't done any re-tipping with it so I can't tell you if it is a
    good choice for this but I have done some work next to stones and
    have not had any problems. I would also point out that you can fry a
    stone with a misdirected laser shot but the pulse arc will not fire
    on a stone as the stone is not electrically conductive so the pulse
    arc may actually be safer around stones. No data on that but just an
    observation. 

Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
Fax (360) 756-2160
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
Member of the Better Business Bureau

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