Abstract: An automatic air carbon-arc cutting and gouging torch having a fixed drive wheel for moving an electrode through an insulated housing and through a nozzle adapted to conduct air in a semi-circular pattern along the electrode. Electrical current is supplied to the electrode through a contact shoe supported by and biased to the electrode by a lever arm, the shoe causing the electrode to frictionally engage the drive wheel. Alternately idler rollers can be used in combination with the contact shoe to position the electrode for movement by the drive wheel. Apparatus is included to reposition the electrode in the event of electrode "stub-out". Also included is a slidable guideblock having a generally U-shaped cross-section to help position electrodes of varying diameter inside the torch.