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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 11:19 PM
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Welding and electronics

I've been welding for a while, but have always wondered about welding around electronics. For example, using the MIG on the exterior sheet metal on a computer case, or something like that. Besides heat and spatter, whats the danger (if any) here caused by electricity?
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 04:13 AM
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Electricity will travel the shortest distance to ground. (duh but worth mentioning)
Keep this in mind when attaching your ground electrode.
Once the smoke is let out of components its expensive to "put the smoke back in".
For the most part you have well insulated & isolated protection on the major components but I've had a mechanic fry an alternator when he welded a nut on a broken stud and attached ground cable to the frame (oops).
If he would have only disconnected the battery cable the alternator would have been fine.
Of course something else could have fried.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 04:34 AM
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I know I have blown 1157 bulbs close and not so close to where I was welding even with the battery disconnected at the negative cable.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by rebocardo
I know I have blown 1157 bulbs close and not so close to where I was welding even with the battery disconnected at the negative cable.
you might make a great accountant or something with a memory like that...
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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1157 is a "type" of automotive bulb.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Scndsin
1157 is a "type" of bulb.
Aah, I stand corrected.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 07:29 AM
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You know you can remove the computer case cover - which usually means at least three sides - from the computer....
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 07:55 AM
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well, if you really must know... It's a computer that Ive been using as a step to my bunk-bed for about a year now, and the case is completely deformed, to the point that the sides don't slide on like they should, and now I actually have to use the computer. Now, I could just buy a cheapo case from newegg for under 20 bucks, but no! I'm going to weld at least the back side on, and maybe weld some hinges or something on the "front" side cover. So I guess I'll just take the guts out first. I am a strange one, I know.....

But I've always wondered about welding on vehicles too... When doing things like bumpers, exhaust, etc... I try to always take the components off of the car first, just to be safe...
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 03:27 PM
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You could probably pick up another ATX case from a scrap yard or recycling center... I found one in a freebie pile in a back alley last week, complete with Asus motherboard and CPU and CD writer.

But, yes, it'd be a good idea to strip everything out of the case before welding. Apart from the electricity, there's probably going to be spatter and grinding dust and clipped off MIG wire.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by angus
You could probably pick up another ATX case from a scrap yard or recycling center... I found one in a freebie pile in a back alley last week, complete with Asus motherboard and CPU and CD writer.
I most certainly could pick up a free case... but wheres the fun in that???
and I too have found many cool freebies at the recycling place here. Now they have a new no-scavenging rule...
 
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