SolidOx welding equipment

SolidOx was a pioneer in portable welding technology, introduced in 1965 by Cleanweld Products, Inc. based in California. The system was revolutionary for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists because it replaced heavy compressed oxygen cylinders with solid chemical pellets—primarily sodium chlorate—that generated oxygen through an exothermic reaction when ignited. This allowed for a lightweight, 4-pound kit capable of reaching temperatures over 5,000°F.

In 1984, the brand and its parent company were acquired by Cooper Industries and integrated into their Cooper Hand Tools division in North Carolina. Despite its popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s, production eventually ceased in the early 1990s. The discontinuation was driven by a combination of mounting product liability concerns, stricter regulations regarding the transport of hazardous oxidizing chemicals, and the emergence of safer compressed gas alternatives. Today, while the specific SolidOx pellet system is no longer manufactured, the legacy remains within the industrial portfolio of the successor companies.