Thinking about getting myself a welder, but...

[deereman75]

I agree the talk about deadly zaps from welding is a bit much. I have a few times been welding in the rain, with wet gloves, and while guiding the rod with my hand, I felt a little tingle. I think this with with the old buzz box, cant really remember. Nothing came out of it. As long as the path isnt through your heart, your fine. (At least thats my understanding, I aint no doctor) I admit dc could be safer, since ac can cause the heart beat to get iregular, but either way, it isnt much of a risk. (if you use your head)

 

[murphy1244]

GFI might not work,may trip when you strike a arc from surge.

 

[Jesse masterson]

You don't know what your talking about welders can be very dangerous especially to a newbie they should know there are risks just like driving a car

 

[Jesse masterson]

And ac will hold onto you

 

[dex3361]

Just use common sense:
Be aware that you are using electricity to melt metal. Do not make any part of your body part of the circuit.

Don't touch the rod while in the stinger with your bare hand. It will only make it worse if you are wet and/or well grounded.

Sweat is full of salt and make the water more conductive.

If you have to weld laying down put down a rubber mat or piece of plywood to insulate you from the ground.

Keep your leather gloves on when inserting a rod into the stinger.

It is not that dangerous. Use all the safety gear have a fire extinguisher close and don't weld near flammables.

 

[deereman75]

You don't know what your talking about welders can be very dangerous especially to a newbie they should know there are risks just like driving a car

While Im not saying there are no dangers, I am saying you are blowing it way out of proportion. All your doing is scaring people off. As long as you use your head, and dont do anything too stupid, you will be fine. Remember, for electricity to kill you, it has to go through your heart. There are many dangerous things in welding, almost all of them are more likely to hurt you then getting zapped.

 

[Jesse masterson]

If you remember correctly drivers Ed in school used drunk driving films to get the attention of new drivers because they were new . O trying to get across a point that may save sebodys life I'm not saying don't get one I think everyone should have one but don't think for a minute if your careless , ( as some people are it can kill you.

 

[Jesse masterson]

And it's not hard to use a dc welder instead of ac. I know pro union welders that will not even make 1 weld with av

 

[dstig1]

And it's not hard to use a dc welder instead of ac. I know pro union welders that will not even make 1 weld with av [ac]

So none of those pro welders will TIG weld aluminum then? That's an all AC process (with only rare exceptions)....

Yes you are blowing this out of proportion. Proper care needs to be taken, but as long as you avoid puddles and other wet ground, you have removed most of the risk - AC or DC. The lower OCV of modern welders makes it hard to be electrocuted by a welder. Not impossible, but not easy to do...

 

[murphy1244]

And ac will hold onto you

DC will hold you and ac will throw you.