Consumable carbon rods are used for air carbon-arc gouging. An electric arc at the end of the rod melts the metal. This method uses a gouging torch along with existing welding supplies and compressed air.
Plasma cutting was invented in 1954 by Robert Gage, a young scientist at the Tonawanda Laboratory. Plasma cutting is achieved by forcing a gas tungsten arc through a small orifice. This process increases the temperature and intensity of the arc enough to cut metal. The tool used for this method is a gas torch with a specialized tip.
Plasma gouging is a variation of plasma cutting that uses a torch with a slightly larger tip opening for creating gouges in metal instead of cutting all the way through it.
This pen-size carver is used for engraving texture, fine lines and detail with specially designed tips called burs. A micro-motor carver is operated using a foot petal that is attached to an air compressor. The carving pen is run with an air compressor or bottled CO2, which does not require electricity, making it a more portable option.
Many companies, such as Dremel, make diamond burrs that fit rotary tools with a 1/8-inch shank. Diamond burrs are used on rocks, wood, ceramic, semi-precious stones, glass and steel. The high quality of this type of burr makes carving on hardened steel possible.