Carbon arc gouging rods are copper-coated carbon electrodes used with compressed air to melt and blow away metal. They are the consumable half of the gouging process and are sized by diameter, which sets the groove width.
Pointed rods gouge narrow, deep grooves and are used for weld preparation and root back-gouging. Flat or jointed rods gouge wide, shallow grooves and are used for removing large surface defects. Half-round and special shapes exist for specific groove profiles.
Diameter sets the amperage requirement: 5/32 in runs around 150-200 A, 3/16 in around 200-300 A, 1/4 in around 300-400 A, and 5/16 in and above need 400 A plus. Running a rod below its amperage range gives a stalling arc and poor metal removal; above it, the rod burns away rapidly.
Copper coating improves conductivity and reduces the tendency to burn back at the clamp. Rods are consumed quickly — the process is fast and the electrodes go fast with it — so most shops buy in quantity.
