88reaper88 wrote:
Won't real welder nozzles work? (I don't have a clue but I know they screw off!)
Forgive my long winded answer that is about to happen, but this happens to be an area I actually know stuff about! Do you guys know if "real ones" were even used? And from what kind of welder? The hand welder was always a cool thing to me, but in the last few years in the welding supply industry has raised more questions than answers about this device!
Real welder parts are like car parts in that there are dozens of brands with dozens of models so there are literally hundreds of possible parts. These companies want you to buy
their product and replacement parts, so the brands are by design not interchangeable with each other. Plus, like cars, the companies release the 'new model' of a machine series every 3 -5 years to keep the line fresh, often updating the parts/consumables. So even within a brand AND within a machine line, its no guarantee the parts from the older model fit the newer ones. So finding a match will be very tough, if not impossible 'blind'.
Plus, I'm not sure what they used for filming, but the hand welders have fascinated me because they "shouldnt" work! I suspect it was not a 'real' welder part even back then. Oxy/Acetylene torches have the ability to both cut and fuse metal, but they use a burning flame that is accelerated with a stream of oxygen. When cutting, this oxygen stream is jacked up so that oxidizes the metal instantly (not truly 'melting' as most think
). When "welding" with the torch, the fuel gas and oxygen mix are closer to even as you do melt the sides and apply a filler metal to close the gaps. And the big difference is the cutting tip and welding tips are very different! You have to change them to switch processes. So with no fuel gas, no filler metals, no changing of heads when switching from cutting to welding, plus the distinctive sound of electrical crackle, I am leaning toward avoiding any idea of a 'flame torch'.
Now plasma torches make the most sense for cutting. Plasma needs only compressed air and electricity to cut. But plasma doesnt "weld". It can gouge, in that when the arc is broadened and tip components changed it can't cut, and instead "washes" the surface by melting the areas around it, but the penetration is far less so you can't really get a good "fuse" of the two sides. If they are mini MIG or STICK torches, then again, a filler metal is being applied (only with an electrical arc instead of flame heat), and they absolutely
would weld...just not cut.
But those are just my ramblings about the plausibility of such a device. The obvious answer is, "its the future. Probably something new that isn't out today" (which I, of course, accept!). But to make a long story short, the point is I suspect very few, if any, real welding parts were used. If they were, we need to know the brand and model # they came off before having a prayer to track down the parts that would thread on 'plug and play' style.