electrode holder

[Shedendman]

Out of curiosity,which holder do you prefer,the croc/clamp or the twist?
TBH,dont think i've ever used a twist

 

[brightspark]

Out of curiosity,which holder do you prefer,the croc/clamp or the twist?
TBH,dont think i've ever used a twist

twist .croc clips are a pain in the ****, when the rod sticks and u cant rive it off without the rod pulling out

 

[gordon stephenson]

I prefer the twist type, they feel more balanced to me, Also as per brightspark. If the rod sticks an won't yank off, a quick twist of the wrist detaches the rod.

 

[Bill Edwards]

For ages I was dead against the twist type, now I have the opposite view. Stick the rod in the twist type and you can put a bend in to suit your welding position, and if the rod sticks you can give it a good yank. Try that with the other type and the rod falls out, flashing you in the process.

Perhaps a good, strong croc type with a DC inverter utilising anti stick trickery may be different altogether, but I don't have one of those to compare with.

 

[Shedendman]

Hummm,me tinks me will go buy a twist then.
Just a quick query,if your unit is say up to 200amp,do you get a holder up to 200amp,or do you go over board and get one say 300-400 amp?

 

[Bill Edwards]

Depends how much you'll be welding at those amps. They're rated with a duty cycle, just like the welder. Try running a 200a rod holder at even just 120 and you can't go that long before you don't want to hold onto it any longer.

 

[Shedendman]

Depends how much you'll be welding at those amps. They're rated with a duty cycle, just like the welder. Try running a 200a rod holder at even just 120 and you can't go that long before you don't want to hold onto it any longer.

Noted cheers

 

[zzr1200]

Twist, try a short stub type to start with, a 400 amp cheap as chips on Fleabay or look at Weldequip offerings above..

 

[baconbarm]

Ive never used a clamp type holder in 20 years of welding- no particular reason, other than the welding sets always had the twist type on.

Strangely enough, I used the clamp type today for the first time ever- I wasn't impressed, they aren't strong enough to be able to bend the rod into a comfortable welding position.

 

[shenion]

The other thing about the clamp type is the handle sticks out and makes it harder to see ore more difficult to get into places.

 

[penfold]

I've used both recently and the spring clamp type is just irritating and has all the problems outlined above; twist all the way.

 

[wyn]

If you use a 400 amp twist type it might not clamp and hold rods smaller than 3.2

 

[BrokenBiker]

am i the only person that likes the croc clamp then? I prefer being able to change the rod quickly, don't really find the issues with the rod sticking but that might be down to the inverter.

i found with the twist type on my fathers arc welder that it wouldn't always grip the for properly

 

[rich r]

I'm happy with the clamp type too - but that's probably because it's all I've used. I can see the advantages to the twist type though, as very occasionally with 1.6mm or 2.0mm rods I've had them slip in the clamp. Though it's probably not worth chopping the holder off my buzzbox to fit a new one that costs more than the welder itself

However, I'm only a casual arc welder, doing repairs to gates, wheelbarrows and things, and knocking up the odd bracket or tool for a specific job.

 

[zzr1200]

If you use a 400 amp twist type it might not clamp and hold rods smaller than 3.2

You'll have to buy a really cheap crappy holder not to be able to hold 2.5mm rod tight, I'II agree some holders won't hold a 1.6mm rod but most will grip a 2.0mm happily.

Crocodile clamp holders are totally crap.....IMHO...

 

[norlander]

twist-fully insulated-makes life easier on some jobs, as others have said-rods can be bent for access.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I found with the original croc clamp on my fathers arc welder the rod was always at a strange angle nut the clamp on my parweld seems to be much better suited to welding in flat and uphill positions, not really done much overhead but I cant remember there being an issue when I did

 

[candor]

Used the clamp type and disliked for the reasons above, twist all the way.

The esab twist holders that weldequip sells are nice and not too dear, very quick to put a rod in.

 

[Paul G]

Assume right handed welder.


Picture the scene.

In the left hand, half a dozen or so rods; unfluxed end facing the right hand.
Right hand brings the croc clip holder across and clips onto a rod end, arcs up, and welds away.
At the end of the rod a squeeze and a flick to the right and the stub goes flying,
followed by a sweep across to the left to engage holder onto new rod. a stab into the still
red hot slag and away we go.

At the end of each handful congratulate yourself on the number of slag runs that will peel off in one go.



Try that with a screwy type holder.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Assume right handed welder.


Picture the scene.

Try that with a screwy type holder.

Rods in the left hand still. End of rod, flick the head of the twist holder against an arm or leg to rotate it about 90 degrees, then a flick to thrown the stub.
Holder slotted over the new rod, which is still held while the holder is twisted slightly to grip. Then, on the way to the weld area a slight bend can be easily applied if desired, and the weld can commence - with the welder not only using a rod at the optimum angle but also secure with the knowledge that if the rod sticks a tug will free it with no drama.