funkbastler wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jun 2005 09:30:13 -0400, Chuck Harris
wrote:


Ever seen the stuff used on arc welders? Big bundles of very fine
strands, with a soft rubber (or rubber-like material) jacket. Lasts
a long, long time, doesn't break with flexing, and it's not low-
oxygen.


Really? How would you know that? Given that all of the copper wire
manufacturers these days have switched over to oxygen-free manufacturing
techniques for their copper products.


Could be - but I don't see welding cable being hyped as "low-oxygen" or
"oxygen-free" in an effort to convince the welding community that its
use will produce better welds or make the cables last longer.

You are getting there! What I have been trying to get through to you, and
others, is oxygen-free isn't something the copper wire/rod/tubing manufacturers
spend a lot of time bragging up. It is just a natural step in the evolution
of the copper manufacturing process.



OBTW, my welding cables fray like the dickens on the connector ends. I have
had to reattach the connectors on the stinger side twice now. But then,
I actually use them.


Maybe you should switch to oxygen-free cable. It won't fray or break or
corrode. Ever.

How do you come to that conclusion? Just because something is better, doesn't
mean it is perfect.


Only problem I've had with mine (only 12 years old) was due to an
unfortunate incident with the lawn mower :-(

That could be quite exciting if your welder was fired up at the time!


All "no oxygen" means is the copper was smelted in a way that prevents
the inclusion of oxides in the copper. It is a pure, soft copper. It
makes a slightly lower resistance wire than the earlier copper smelting
precesses. Being softer, oxygen-free copper can be worked more, and doesn't
wear out tooling as quickly as ordinary copper.


Interesting article he
http://www.copper.org/innovations/19...etallurgy.html

Looks like having at least a little bit of oxygen is a *good* thing.

If your copper contains impurities, yes. The oxygen helps oxidize those
impurities, and allows them to come to the surface of castings.

I'm headed for the store now to see if they have any oxygen-free Romex...
Need to rewire the house.

How do you know that the Romex you buy isn't oxygen-free? It isn't really
important for an electrician to know whether it is, or isn't. Enhanced
flexibility is useful when you are trying to install fixtures in their
boxes.

Oh, I get it, you think I am an audiophoole, and you are just trying to
make fun of me. My, isn't that special!

-Chuck