Pulse-Arc-Welder: Closing Chains

This sterling silver chocker chain is handmade from 16 gauge round wire. It has multiple interlocking links. The customer leads a very active lifestyle and has small children so she prefers the links be permanently closed.

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Home Learning Center Jewelry Making Fabrication Chain MakingPulse-Arc-Welder: Closing Chains

By Mark B. MannMore from this author

	The ABI Pulse Arc Welder will be used to permanently weld each link. The leads for this project include custom made parallel pliers lead that will be attached to the negative terminal and the pulse arc welding pencil with the No. 3 tip that will be attached to the positive terminal.
	A good holding device for the wire links is the parallel pliers lead (A). They were made using standard parallel pliers. They are an ideal holding device for these large links because there is an equal amount of contact between the link and the jaws of the pliers. The electrode within the pulse arc welding pencil is recessed about three quarters of a millimeter.
	To properly weld these links, the pulse arc welder is set to the high energy setting at 45 volts. The ceramic collar is placed directly over the joint. With the unit turned on, the footpedal is depressed a single time. The resulting pulse of energy partially welds the link. The ceramic collar is rotated to the opposing side of the same link and another pulse of energy is used to completely weld the joint.
	For this welding procedure, the ABI Opti-Saver is worn. It automatically darkens the instant a pulse-arc flash occurs (within 0.5 milliseconds) protecting the users eyes. The Opti-Saver also features magnification.
	The ABI Pulse Arc Welder fits nicely directly on the bench top. With it positioned on the bench, it is convenient for use for a multitude jewelry repair and custom manufacturing applications. The welding created a minimum of surface distortion and no oxidation. The chain required only minimal clean up and was tumbled in a magnetic finisher.

Important:

Tack-, fusion- and pulse-arc equipment settings will differ and are based upon the volume, amount of contact and alloy of the material you are working with. Practicing using like materials will give you a parameter for the settings required for your application. Keep a record of settings and tasks for future reference.

By Mark Mann

All rights reserved internationally. Copyright © Mark Mann. Users have permission to download the information and share it as long as no money is made-no commercial use of this information is allowed without permission in writing from Mark Mann

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This content is published in a handbook along with other welding applications. To get a copy of the ABI Handbook of Welding Applications for Jewelry Design and Repair, contact Janet Kirk at 401-461-4140

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