stick work clamp

k0ua · Mar 21, 2013

I wondered if that individualized attention would have an effect on "the ripples".

Everything you do has an effect, and some rods are "fast freeze" and make rougher looking ripples in the bead. and 7014 will usually make a smoother bead.

joshuabardwell · Mar 21, 2013

This video is also very good.

CNC Dan · Mar 21, 2013

daugen said:
Ok, I won't be a wuss with the juice, it's what makes welding work. I just have a healthy respect for anything that will truly light up my life.
I bought a pair of good Miller welding gloves and once the machine gets turned on, I will try to think twice before moving once.

My conclusions so far are that it's unlikely I'm going to shock myself, because I just won't weld in damp conditions.

Don't forget that to get zapped you would need to contact both the stinger/electrode lead and the work/work lead at the same time. And the stinger is well insulated(no exposed metal), so touching the work is no big deal.

joshuabardwell · Mar 21, 2013

CNC Dan said:
Don't forget that to get zapped you would need to contact both the stinger/electrode lead and the work/work lead at the same time. And the stinger is well insulated(no exposed metal), so touching the work is no big deal.

This isn't true. I got zapped once when I touched the work piece with a bare hand and put a knee down on the wet ground. It was a very mild tingle--not even a "zap" per se--but I got it. I don't know whether this is normal, or if it's indicative of a fault in my welder, though. But even taking the work clamp out of the equation, can't you get current flow between the stinger and ground? Stand in bare feet on wet ground and grab the electrode with your bare hand and tell me what happens.

CNC Dan · Mar 22, 2013

joshuabardwell said:
This isn't true. I got zapped once when I touched the work piece with a bare hand and put a knee down on the wet ground. It was a very mild tingle--not even a "zap" per se--but I got it. I don't know whether this is normal, or if it's indicative of a fault in my welder, though. But even taking the work clamp out of the equation, can't you get current flow between the stinger and ground? Stand in bare feet on wet ground and grab the electrode with your bare hand and tell me what happens.

bad welder. The insulation on the windings has broken down. Likly from being over heated.

With power off, check the resistance between the output leads, and the plug leads. Should be very high resistance. If not you can have the input voltage at the output leads. Very dangerous.

Reyer Farms · Mar 22, 2013

If you weld you will get bit, it happens. I got bit hard splicing a beam laying on a concrete floor. I was dry, gloves dry it happens. You asked about a magnet, I had s buddy that used one. 4" sq in a box that had a spring holding down pressure on a claw hammer. Ground was bolted on the head, claw contacted the work. It sounds crappy but it worked very well. Beat a grasshopper, because it stayed put.

Mark @ Everlast · Mar 23, 2013

The table can be grounded. Placement of the work clamp should always be fairly close to the work if possible (though a thousand times a day, it is not being done that way). The biggest shocker is getting sweaty and touching something while working. Generally speaking, you won't get shocked. The biggest chance of getting shocked is when you are changing electrodes and your gloves are sweaty and you are well "grounded" either against the work piece or the ground itself. You'll get a tingle for sure. In this case, you can sort of "throw" your rod in with the clamp style holder and never have to make electrical contact. Someone said that law prevented it from being over 80 volts. Not sure about that since there are several companies with 90 OCV units. The famous SA 200 had an ocv of 90 V. The new maxstar 150s has an ocv of 90.

rankrank1 · Mar 23, 2013

Underwriters Laboratory is less than 80 OCV for welders to be eligible for UL sticker. I believe many welders can and do have more OCV but they are typically industrial units or lack UL seal of approval if homeowner grade.

P.S. Sorry for incomplete response first time around - totally struggling with smart phone keyboard. Finally switched to laptop to get everything typed correctly.

Mark @ Everlast · Mar 23, 2013

Industrial units have Ul listing too, and I doubt Miller would skip that on the maxstar baby units.

k0ua · Mar 23, 2013

I found this on an OSHA website.. looks like DC units and Automated units can be 100 volts. but apparently AC units 80 volts.

..1910.254(b)(3)(i)(A)

1910.254(b)(3)(i)(A)

Manual arc welding and cutting - 80 volts.

1910.254(b)(3)(i)(B)

Automatic (machine or mechanized) arc welding and cutting - 100 volts.

1910.254(b)(3)(ii)

Direct-current machines

1910.254(b)(3)(ii)(A)

Manual arc welding and cutting - 100 volts.

1910.254(b)(3)(ii)(B)

Automatic (machine or mechanized) arc welding and cutting - 100 volts.

1910.254(b)(3)(iii)

When special welding and cutting processes require values of open circuit voltages higher than the above, means shall be provided to prevent the operator from making accidental contact with the high voltage by adequate insulation or other means.

1910.254(b)(3)(iv)

For a.c. welding under wet conditions or warm surroundings where perspiration is a factor, the use of reliable automatic controls for reducing no load voltage is recommended to reduce the shock hazard.