Welding question

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Jun 21, 2009 | 10:59 AM

#16

carnut122

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From: Waleska, GA

Actually, wouldn't you be less likely to be shocked while in the cab as you are no longer "grounded?"

Jun 21, 2009 | 11:06 AM

#17

ALBUQ F-1

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnut122

Actually, wouldn't you be less likely to be shocked while in the cab as you are no longer "grounded?"

Yes you are (potentially) grounded, the cab is ground.

Dave, I think you are speaking about larger commercial MIG's; my 120 amp's tip is hot whenever the unit is On. The trigger only controls the gas and feed.

Another key fact as mentioned is that MIG fumes are very very bad for your nervous system, worse than stick (not that stick fumes are "good") . If you read the Caution statements or search on-line, it's really pretty scary. Put a box fan nearby!

Jun 21, 2009 | 11:13 AM

#18

tip49

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Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Alberta Canada

Nervous wreck

Sure Ross, you tell me that now !

As long as your'not standing in a puddle of water and your gloves are dry you should be OK. A good jolt keeps the heart in sync. LOL

Another thing to watch while welding in cab is distribute your heat, jump around on the patch area so not to "warp" metal. I have a nice oil can effect in my floor, but will probably go away once seat is installed.

Jun 21, 2009 | 01:03 PM

#19

4tl8ford

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Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Erie, pa

Gloves - Fan - Helmet?

We had a hugh buzz box arc welder, instead of a switch on the front to change settings it had a large cable with a big copper rod that you moved from hole to hole. If I had a big enough rod I could cut 3/8 plate. It could also cause a brownout in the neiborhood.
It was also a good idea to have a water hose handy - back yard welding was such an adventure.
Oh - grounding - make sure that you are not compeating with the welder for the connection - i,e, Truck on four rubber tires - you with one foot inside one out.

What was that old song - Yes, Jesus Loves Me The Welder Showed Me So?

Jun 21, 2009 | 01:15 PM

#20

Rich55

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Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Longview wa

Well, every one here has picked up every little tid bit that I could think of, (Good work guys ) about The only thing that I can add is to keep your ground in front of you instead of behind you if possable, to keep you out of the derect flow of current and be carful on your location of your ground, so not to burn up any wiring, switches, diodes, ect.
OH ya, don't for get the helmat, LOL

Good luck
RICH

Jun 21, 2009 | 01:58 PM

#21

dave boley

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From: Marietta, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

I don't know about the cheapies but Lincolns and Millers all have contactors in them. Of course it is possible the contactor could be stuck. I have a little Lincoln 170 and it even has the contactor. Maybe the ones not designed for gas that use flux core don't have contactors. What model do you have? I refurb welding machines of all types and sizes except for the Chinese junk. I probably have a schenatic for yours if it's not something from China. they do have an electrolytic capacitor across the tip side of the contactor which will somes times retain a bit of a charge and can produce a spark when you ground the wire witout using the trigger.

Jun 21, 2009 | 07:26 PM

#22

BACAGrizz

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Moore (or less), OK.

Quote:

A amall (small?) fan to just keep a fresh supply of air moving is all you need.

The only problem with fans and MIG/TIG welding is, you must be careful not to blow the shielding gas away from the work as you are welding. It will make a mess of the welds.

Have the fan pointed away from the work but pushing a little air into the cab to evacuate the noxious gases from above the work area if possible.

Jun 21, 2009 | 08:16 PM

#23

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave boley

I think mine is made in Italy, it's a Campbell Hausfeld, 4 heats (2 switches/2 positions each), adjustable feed rate and set up with gas. I've seen them sold under all different names. Not what I'd like but what I could afford, and works well enough for what I do. It could be the capacitor thing, I've just seen it spark when I touched it to the work piece while lifting my helmet, it surprised me.