Holding work with one hand?

[vanagon nut]

Hi all.

Haven't been active here in a while. But now I'm ready to start welding up an engine carrier (support) and exhaust for my Vanagon Engine conversion project:

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/linkstoconversionworkdone

I started practising on scrap exhaust pieces last night and have some smaller pieces of 1/8" tube to practice on.

My question:

With welding gloves on, proper boots in dry conditions, is holding the work with one hand, while welding, poor practice? Or just completely unsafe?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Nothing wrong with that Neil, I've done it many times. I have heard of welders getting tingles before but I think it's mostly when welding outside at high voltages in damp conditions and then they've been nothing serious. I gather HF zaps off tig welders can hurt a bit but normal welding voltages are ok.

 

[vanagon nut]

Thanks Woz

I thought that might be the case.

My thought was to make a jig that would hold the tacked exhaust bits, (tubes) but allow them to turn so i could turn the work by hand and more or less keep the gun in one position.

Not the right way, but I need to get cracking on making stuff. Whatever way I can!

 

[aametalmaster]

I get bit all the time esp in the summer when my hands are sweaty and when i am tacking parts together as i usually don't wear glove's then. Dummy me...Bob

 

[Weldingartisan]

You want to try doing emergency repairs in a flooded boiler house - soggy wet boots and gauntlets, used to pass the holder to the mate to change the electrode - shocking experience! W/A

 

[shenion]

My Airco is 90V OCV. That will get your attention when you change electrodes without gloves.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Bob, are you talking about MMA too? I know they can run at significantly high voltages, 80V is typical of some of the oil-cooled sets I've seen so that would definitely give you a jolt.

 

[aametalmaster]

Bob, are you talking about MMA too? I know they can run at significantly high voltages, 80V is typical of some of the oil-cooled sets I've seen so that would definitely give you a jolt.

I get bit on about any welder i run, mig, stick, tig it doesn't matter. Thats prob why i am taking heart medicine because i have an electrical short in my heart, go figure. 32 years of getting zapped...Bob

 

[mishka]

Bob, are you talking about MMA too? I know they can run at significantly high voltages, 80V is typical of some of the oil-cooled sets I've seen so that would definitely give you a jolt.

The larger oil-cooled sets go up to 100V. That's why its always worth checking the cable insulation BEFORE you hook it over your shoulder. Otherwise a right tingly experience in the neck!

 

[snowcat]

You want to try doing emergency repairs in a flooded boiler house - soggy wet boots and gauntlets, used to pass the holder to the mate to change the electrode - shocking experience! W/A

Simlar to welding flooded cargo holds on ships id imagine bob zzzzzzzzzz, Is salt water a better or worse conductor???

 

[malcolm]

Salt water is a very good conductor. You can even make a battery out of salt water and a couple of different types of metal (that wouldn't work at all with distilled water). That's why Renaults rust more in the winter.

 

[shenion]

Actually, pure water is non-conductive. That is what when car batt completely discharges, it is difficult to charge. The acid moves into the plates leaving pure water that does not conduct.

Salt water is a good conductor. Get nice and sweaty and lean across the batt on a car and you will feel it

 

[snowcat]

Oh yes of course, galvanic reactions an all that..........

 

[Spacecowboy]

Just what I need. I hate shocks. I get static zaps a lot and seem to hurt more than it normally should.
Are jolts from mig's a normal occurance?
I'm just about to get started welding this week after getting my power supply to the workshop sorted out.
It's bad enough being paraniod about arc-eye, without worrying about getting a jolt when there's hot parts about.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Mig OCV is pretty low, typically between say 17 and 35V so nothing much to worry about, Stick uses a much higher OCV, as has been said, some sets use up to 90V possibly more.

 

[Sparkey]

yeah, strange those static shocks, i zapped a lightbulb the other day with my static energy!!
Relax spacecowboy!!
Sparkey

 

[Wozzaaah]

Living up to your name Sparks . I get lots of static shocks at work, we've got one machine that spits out a big blue spark as the drum spins, I don't like touching it at all. It's worse when you know it's going to happen too!

 

[mishka]

Is salt water a better or worse conductor???

Better ... much better