Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
Question: is it safe to steady the rod with gloved hand while stick welding? I sometimes do this and i have been ok so far.... but is it relitively safe to do that?
Steadying a rod while welding ?
- Thread starter Jeff Lary
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oldnslo
Super Member
Yes the rod can get hot but the voltage is low which allows for the higher amperage. I have done this with 1/16 diameter rods since I find them very hard to hold steady in my advancing age and weakening eyes.
Is it recommended, no. Like transit said use both hands on the stinger and try to brace your arms against your sides or against something solid to help steady yourself.
Roy
Is it recommended, no. Like transit said use both hands on the stinger and try to brace your arms against your sides or against something solid to help steady yourself.
Roy
I do it all the time when stick welding as long as you are using a welding glove it wont burn your fingers or shock you go for it just don't tell your wife you heard it from me!!! 
Even when I have to bend a rod to get in a tight spot and have to grab the rod where the flux is broke off no problems.
Even when I have to bend a rod to get in a tight spot and have to grab the rod where the flux is broke off no problems.
20 20
Elite Member
I allmost allways have issues with the rod when it is new and long, once it burns down it is much easier to control. I wouldn't think it is an issues other then heat, just wear a well made glove. Here is a chance for one of those inventive types to come up with a handy welding rod holder Something like a clothes pin with a long handle, of course something that could handle the heat.
Something like a clothes pin with a long handle, of course something that could handle the heat.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Jeff I've been doing it for decades when making critical welds / testing.:thumbsup:
Especially when welding small bore pipe!
Especially when welding small bore pipe!
digger2
Gold Member
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As far as being "safe" goes,probably not.Theres always the risk of shock or burn.I have done it myself,but only to get started in an exact spot,and then i let the rod go.But if thats what it takes,and your not afraid of the risks,i say go for it...........i dont think i'd do it standing in a damp location though.That could be inviting a shock.
digger2
digger2
Milton Burro
Silver Member
I use valumin.
OP
Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
I guess i kind of agree with Shield Arc once i get started i kind of rest it across my hand instead of hold it.
It would be kind of long to type out,( for me anyway )but after a severe shock one time so severe my fillings were so hot my toung could not touch them ,a certified welder in the shop told me amoung other things... never grip tight a new rod when loading the stinger have you ever heard that? ever since i lay the rod loose in my gloved hand and then clamp to it.
It would be kind of long to type out,( for me anyway )but after a severe shock one time so severe my fillings were so hot my toung could not touch them ,a certified welder in the shop told me amoung other things... never grip tight a new rod when loading the stinger have you ever heard that? ever since i lay the rod loose in my gloved hand and then clamp to it.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Jeff it would be impossible for me to tell you how many days I've welded with the rain running down my back, and standing in a puddle. It's not as bad as it sounds. Good rain gear, good rubber boots, and cannery rubber gloves under the leather welding gloves.
Now take note, we never used AC welding machines, always DC!
If the company wouldn't buy the cannery gloves for us, we would stick the rod under our arm pit, then clamp the electrode holder on the rod, less jolting that way.:laughing:
Now take note, we never used AC welding machines, always DC!
If the company wouldn't buy the cannery gloves for us, we would stick the rod under our arm pit, then clamp the electrode holder on the rod, less jolting that way.:laughing:
OP
Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
I was welding a plow point on a plow truck on a wet floor with alot of salt brine in the water i was on a rubber mat i kept dry for just such an occaision.The stinger cable was all twisted up like they get and it kept trying to twist out of my hand i was in a hurry as we were in a blizzard situation in 1996 and needed to get the truck back in I-95. So i slacked my grip on the cable to let it freely un-twist itself, the working end of the rod spun around quick and hit me in the temple. Thats all i remember till a guy shut off the welder and stood over me hollering . When i came to my fillings on that side of my mouth were hot to the touch and i had a burn on my temple. Very respectfull ever since. I had been welding whenever we needed it for 14 years and that was alot with 27 working plow trucks in our crew. Strange sh*t can and does happen.
Shield Arc
Super Member
This how I do it, same as these boys.
YouTube - Rigwelders paradise,pipe welders burnin rod , with own rigtrucks no singlehands,
YouTube - Rigwelders paradise,pipe welders burnin rod , with own rigtrucks no singlehands,
OP
Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
Yep me too, only diffrence is i rest the rod ontop of my finger,you probobly have better contron that way though. By the by did you notice in the arc / smoke area all the stray? lighting bolt looking blue arc's in the air near the weld? very very cool,God i love that stuff. Thanks that was really great to watch. I would say that must have been at least their second day welding. ha ha Real pro's i would say.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Yup, pipe weldors are on top of the heap.
I actually have more respect for process piping weldors, up hill welding is more difficult in my opinion. Don't take me wrong these pipeline / rig weldors are fantastic weldors too. And there is more to downhill welding than the average guy understands.
OP
Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
well i agree i guess that makes for good welders for sure.Good chating with ya but im gonna call it a night watch a movie i hear net flix calling.
Agrantina
Platinum Member
Wow- you should warn us before we watch that video- I didnt have my helmet on and it hurt my eyes.. :laughing:---- Now that is someone that knows how to handle a stick!!.. I am not there yet.. Been shocked one time also, not bad enough to knock me down but enough to get my attention welding on a wet floor.. I really enjoy working with metal and welding... :thumbsup:
AndyG
AndyG
Shield Arc
Super Member
It is addictive, especially when you see how much money it can save you, if you have much equipment.
Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Do it until you feel a tingle in your finger....Watch out for moist gloves.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I do the finger prop on the rod thing all the time now, since I thought to do it. Most of the U-tube vid's show the guys using 2 hands on the stinger, but come to think of it a lot of the guys making instructional vid's on U-tube are not as good of welders as I am. and I stink. Not all of course, there are some extroadinary welders on there too.
But the other hand down on the rod about 3 or 4 inches above the arc really helps until the rod is down to about 6 inches. Of course I am usually welding from 60 to 125 amps, and I am guessing the Open Circuit Voltage is probably between 20 and 35 volts. It not like some commercial welder running 300 amps and maybe an OCV of 70 volts or more. I only do it with a DC machine. On an AC machine if you have a fault between the primary and secondary of the transformer. (maybe say a mouse peed on it or something) You could really rattle your teeth with 240 volts AC. Anyway thats my take, but I am still pretty much a novice welder.
James K0UA
But the other hand down on the rod about 3 or 4 inches above the arc really helps until the rod is down to about 6 inches. Of course I am usually welding from 60 to 125 amps, and I am guessing the Open Circuit Voltage is probably between 20 and 35 volts. It not like some commercial welder running 300 amps and maybe an OCV of 70 volts or more. I only do it with a DC machine. On an AC machine if you have a fault between the primary and secondary of the transformer. (maybe say a mouse peed on it or something) You could really rattle your teeth with 240 volts AC. Anyway thats my take, but I am still pretty much a novice welder.
James K0UA
OP
Jeff Lary
Platinum Member
Yes the night i got shoked my gloves were soaked with salt brine we had just changed blades on the truck.I had a pair of welders gloves but an irriating city boy had used them earlier for somthing and could not find them when needed.that plus hurrying got me into trouble.
