throughout the length of the electrode prior to beginning the roll forming operation the strip can be coined with a transverse depression not shown as is well known in the art in order to effect continuous formation of an electrode which can then be broken off to specified individual lengths the length being determined by the distance between transverse indentations on the strip prior to roll forming as shown in fig1 and 2 the roll forming operation achieves a generally cylindrical electrode having a continuous internal passage through which an oxidizing gas can be passed from one end 30 to the other end 32 fig1 of the electrode electrode 10 has a discontinuous circular outer surface as shown in fig2 and 3 the outer surface of electrode 10 can be made circular in cross section by flame spraying a metal layer between points 40 42 fig3 this will permit a gas tight seal between the electrode and the torch or holder in use the electrode can be gripped at either end in a suitable holder such as a slice torch sold by the arcair company of lancaster ohio the torch facilitates conduction of electricity through the electrode as well as oxygen down through the center of the electrode when the electrode is put in the torch or holder and current is.