Electro Arc

About Electro Arc

Electro Arc has Been Building the World’s Best Metal Disintegrators since 1947!

Electro Arc celebrates 75 years as the World’s Oldest Metal Disintegrator Manufacturer in May 2022!  Scroll down to see a timeline of Electro Arc’s history.

Electro Arc is now in Dexter Michigan as a Stillion Industries Company

Electro Arc was purchased by Stillion Industries in July of 2019.  Stillion Industries continues to manufacture Electro Arc metal disintegrators at our new facility in Dexter, Michigan.  A machine shop, Stillion Industries now machines a majority of the parts for the Electro Arc metal disintegrator line as well as providing repair services for your Electro Arc machines.

The merging of the two companies has been a big change, we want to make sure that you get the same great service you have come to expect.  Please be sure to let us know if you are a machine owner, so we can re-establish a relationship with you.

Important:  Please note that Electro Arc has moved!  We have a new location and contact information.

Electro Arc is celebrating 75 years in 2022!  The original owner and founder developed the AC patented process for metal disintegration in 1947.   Electro Arc grew from 4 metal disintegrators to over 40 offered today. The unique process used in the metal disintegrators disintegrates only the center out of a broken tap or drill leaving the threads intact.  No matter what industry you are in, you will find our metal disintegrators save you time and money!  

Electro Arc started in Detroit and moved to Ann Arbor for a majority of its years of business.  Our metal disintegrators and accessories have been and continue to be Made in Michigan.

A family business, Electro Arc’s tradition carries on in the Stillion Industries Family. Continuing to provide unique products that improve your product quality, reduce your costs and eliminate scrap. Our production and distribution facilities are located in North America and the United Kingdom, easily providing machines, accessories, and supplies worldwide.

Trade Shows over the Years:

1960s international show
1960s international show
Electro Arc demos the metal disintegrator with Arcer head at a foreign show
1976 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1980 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1981 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
Electro Arc show
1978 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1982 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1984 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1988 Electro Arc at the Chicago Tool Show
1980s show
1990s show
New booth
new show setup

Previous image
Next image

Timeline of Electro Arc’s 75 years:

1942
May 26, 1947
1949
June 1964
Nov 1964
Dec 1965
Feb 1966
April 1967
1942

1942 Harold Stark patented the AC metal disintegrator

May 26, 1947

Electro Arc Manufacturing company opened in Detroit

 

1949

Electro Arc moves to Island across from “The Castle” in Ann Arbor

June 1964

New Carbide Impregnator is introduced.

Electro Arc company harnessed the immense power of the spark creating a handheld machine operating like a magic wand to increase the life of cutting tools as much as eight times.  For years carbide inserts have provided durable cutting edges for heavy-duty tools, increasing their wear life as much as ten times.  Do-it-yourself carbide was a luxury not provided before the Carbide Impregnators.

Like a pencil with a giant eraser, the hand-held impregnator head delivers direct current through its “impregnatrode”.  Moving 120 times per second, it arc welds a path of tungsten carbide adding a .0003 inch layer each pass. 

Electro Arc introduced the F-5 Carbide impregnator in 1964.  This machine was featured in  Machinery magazine in 1971, this broaching instrument assisted clients in prolonging the life of their drills.  This machine has since been discontinued from production by Electro Arc.  We do, however still provide repair services for companies who still own and use these machines.,

Nov 1964

Electro Arc releases new 3-S portable disintegrator

Dec 1965

Electro Arc releases LBH head (now obsolete)

The Electro Arc Electrode Chuck allows the use of electrodes without threaded shanks.  Electrodes can be inserted into disintegrator head with the desired length extending beyond the chuck.  This head handled electrodes up to 1/4 inch in diameter.  Closely resembling the current Arc-er Head, the LBH head was released in December of 1965.  Now obsolete, the LBH head has been replaced by our Arc-er Head 

Feb 1966

Electro Arc’s 3-S machine is updated with coolant tank base

April 1967

Electro Arc is featured at ASTME Chicago expo 

October 1966
August 1967
January 1968
September 1968
November 1968
October 1966

The original Model 1-S is released (this machine is now obsolete)

August 1967

Electro Arc releases the Model 2-S

Electro Arc released the Model 2-S metal disintegrator in August of 1967.  This portable disintegrator for removing taps and drills is still one of our most popular machines.

The Model 2-S is lightweight and moves easily with its 4 heavy-weight casters.  Equipped at the time with the LBH head,  since upgraded to the Arc-er Head, this disintegrating head is very versatile.  Operate the Arc-er head at any angle, its precision-ground, bearing-mounted shaft increases rigidity and gives better electrode wear by reducing vibration.  This simplified construction ensures minimal maintenance. 

Chuck the Arc-er disintegrating head to any convenient holding device such as a drill press!

This machine had a new feature, which is now standard.  The pullout coolant tank is designed for easy cleaning and has a replaceable intake filter.

This machine will disintegrate any and all metals or materials that are capable of conducting an electric current.

The transformer is 110V AC current with KVA rating of 2 on a steady load and 10 on intermittent overload.  From the secondary transformer, tap off is provided to 75VA AC transformer, and then through a rectifier, which gives 12V at 1/2 wave pulsating DC current to the operating head, working 60 times per second.  The head is so manufactured that contact through a downward acting Solenoid is made on the positive peak of the Sine wave, which ensures maximum burning power.  Tapped primary transformer gives 5 voltages – 2 1/2, 5. 8. 12 and 15 volts.  This voltage is controlled by an Ohmite power tap switch.  The lead off from the secondary transformer is carried to the work through a water filled rubber covered copper cable.  The pump motor and the burning curcut are both controlled by the quick lag circuit breaker switch which also acts as a service switch and protects the machine against damage from overloading.  The built in water tank is enclosed and has an approximate capacity of 5 gallons, powered by a 1/4 hp 110V AC motor connected to a bronze geared pump of 99 gallons per hour at 100# of pressure with no head.

This machine has an upgrade option to 220V transformer.

Under ordinary satisfactory operating conditions, this machine will disintegrate up to 1/4 inch diameter broken drills or taps of 1 inch diameter depth in less than 3 minutes.  Larger sizes and in proportion to the above disintegrating speed.  Slotting as small as .015 inch can be successfully accomplished with the solid type electrode.  Any size or shape hole can be disintegrated with either hollow or solid electrodes.

You can purchase the  2-S Portable Metal disintegrator with 110 or 220 volts, 2 1/2 KVA rating  or 220, 440 or 550 volt 10 KVA rating.  The 2 1/2 KVA power transformer has 5 cutting heats while the 10 KVA power transfer has 8.

January 1968

 Electro Arc releases the model 2-SE

 

As we look back through time, we are sharing old promotional material.  Please note the location and contact information in the promotions is not correct!

September 1968

Electro Arc’s marksman EDM machine is released (this machine is now obsolete)

November 1968

Electro Arc’s power-feed is upgraded

Electro Arc developed the transistorized power feed which increased the production of disintegration work in 1968. The disintegration operation with the power feed is simplified and you need no experience to operate it.  Your operator needs only to read the recommended chart for the particular size tool to be disintegrated. After you set the machine accordingly, the transistorized power feed will take over the operation and shut itself off at the preset depth when the job is completed.

When you use the transistorized power feed, the potential for human error is eliminated.  You will also find less machine maintenance is needed as well since there is no danger of your metal disintegrator being improperly operated. Now called the Auto feed, this feature is made of non-corrosive materials and has been tested and built for extremely long-lasting life.

The amp meter indicates maximum disintegrating efficiency and is mounted at eye level for instant viewing and evaluation of the disintegration process.  For your protection, this panel is 110 volt. You can use this feature with any of our metal disintegrators.  Switch quickly to hand operation with the quick turn of a knob.

February 1969
October 1969
January 1971
April 1974
1975
January 1975
February 1975
February 1969

Electro Arc’s HK-6 model is released

Electro Arc’s model HK-6 was released in February 1961, and was followed by several upgraded options into the 1970s.  Please note, the contact and location information in these vintage promotions is not correct.

October 1969

Electro Arc’s model HK-6T machine is released

January 1971

 Electro Arc’s HK-8T metal disintegrator is released

April 1974

Electro Arc releases the 2-DBQT model –  now the 2-DVQT which is still our most popular table top model!

1975

Electro Arc Purchases Ames

January 1975

Electro Arc’s special crankshaft model HK-8-QT is released

February 1975

Ames Model 8 Hardness Tester released

May 1977
March 1980
1981
1989
1990
1995
1996
June 1996
May 1977

Ames ST model Hardness Tester is released

March 1980

Model 2-DB released

1981

Depositoron bought Elox which was purchased by Electro Arc

Elox joined the Electro Arc family in 1981.  We have included some vintage promotional materials from Elox as part of our 75 year Electro Arc Anniversary celebration!

As you can see, Elox was a Clawson, Michigan corporation, purchased and integrated into Electro Arc’s line of machines and kept in Michigan.

1989

 Electro Arc purchases Marbaix

1990

Electro Arc purchases Vibr’Arc

Electro Arc purchased French Metal disintegrator manufacturer Vibra’Arc in 1990.  The following are original promotions from the company.

1995

Electro Arc releases the HK-10QT metal disintegrator

1996

Electro Arc partners with Quicktap

Electro Arc partnered with Quicktap in 1996, offering Quicktap machines including the 2-DBQT

Please note location and contact information on these old promotions is not correct.

June 1996

Electro Arc releases the “Quicktap” 2DBQT

1998
Sept 1998
May 2000
2004
March 2014
July 2019
2022
1998

Electro Arc purchases Fenway Tool (since sold)

In 1998, Electro Arc purchased Fenway Tools and began making and selling portable nibblers.  The company has since been sold.

Sept 1998

Electro Arc releases the new Arc-er head to replace the LBH head

May 2000

The Ames wooden case is upgraded to a high impact plastic case

2004

Electro Arc purchases Unitek

When Electro Arc purchased Uni-Tek in 2004, our metal disintegration machines expanded to include DC machines including the “Tap Zapper” (now sold as the X-1 portable disintegrator) and the Bolt Eater(TM) our most powerful portable metal disintegrator capable of removing 6″ bolts in 8 hours.

Please note: contact and location information on these vintage flyers is not accurate

Uni-Tek was a privately owned company in Frankfort, Il.  Uni-tek was formed in 1954 and became one of the leading suppliers in the world of industrial workshops for DC MDM systems with both portable and tabletop disintegrators.

Their unique servo head cut at all angles for heavy-duty metal removal.

Electro Arc begins offering DC machines including the Bolt Eater

March 2014

 Electro Arc is recognized with the Proud to Manufacture in Michigan award

i

July 2019

Stillion Industries purchases Electro Arc

2022

Dual Anniversaries!  Stillion Industries celebrates 50 years and Electro Arc celebrates 75!



Electro Arc