Thread: arch welding

Never tried it, but really dont see a problem as long as your wearing gloves.
Our welding expert Graham will sure to be able to answer this for you though.
I think this post will get moved over to the welding section soon.
Dave

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f160/w...tml#post953073

Some people have a problem holding the Hand Piece with out it wobbling all over the place.

Not to sure if you may have acctually saw someone holding the Rod or allowing the Rod to rest against the gloved free hand.

I at times do this or at other times use 2 hands on the hand piece.

I also at times use 2 hands on a Mig gun depending on the size of the Gun and the length of duration of the weld.

Not really what you asked but when stick welding and sometimes when useing Mig if the Leads are long enough drape the lead over your shoulder,it takes a lot of the load off your hand.

there is no detremental effect from holding or supporting the Rod by hand except for a burnt glove or warm fingers if you hold it to long.

There should be no problem guiding the rod with a gloved hand, as electron flow will take the shortest route to ground, ie through the rod, and the coating will afford a certain level of insulation as well,and as you will either have the work directly earthed (size permitting) or having an earth connection to the welding bench (ensure you tack-weld the workpiece to the bench, at least once) then the risk of shock is minimal, the problems arise when the body is allowed to become a bridge between the rod and earth

thankyou to dave J , Farenn, pipeclay and rc, I have an idea that I will put an extra leather thumb on just as a precaution. I can rest easy (alive) , I have the same problem with shaking of the hand, so should make it better. Thanks one and all.
Stan

You can buy speciffically designed hand protectors that fit either hand,they are heat resistant,they fit over the Thumb Palm and Backhand they are not very dear.

thanks for that pipeclay, would be a better proposition, will look out for them, i didnt go for the oxy set up, as i found out the cost for the gas etc is far too expensive, for the amount of work Id be doing.
regards
stan

Originally Posted by standeman

Being a novice arc welding I noticed a picture of someone welding and they seem to be touching the electrode as a guide further up the rod whilst welding, Im not sure if this was to steady the hand. Wearing gloves of course.
Have never seen this done before, is this a safe practice, I didnt want to try same in case its a dangerous.

Hi,
Theres nothing wrong with it at all, given that you have clean dry gloves in good condition.

If it is a bit close to the arc, try cutting a section of old glove to pull over the one your wearing .When it becomes u/s replace it with another section.

It is something I have done for many years and have advised my students to do so to steady the electrodes.

Invariably I weld with two hands with stick and Mig.
cheers
grahame

Hi there,

I just finished a short arc-welding course at my local TAFE (and employer - the joys of staff discounts!). The instructer said we'd probably need to steady the rod with our hand unless we had "really steady hands", but I was able to mostly do okay without doing this. The rod gets pretty hot too.
Later, I was reading about Mn toxicity from welding fumes, and the fact that welders have a very high incidence of Parkinson's disease symptoms from occupational exposure. Maybe this explains the "steady hands" comment?

Cheers,

Mike

Maganese toxicity comes about from very high exposure to low hydrogen type electrodes as they typically have a high mangenese content.

A few I have known were fools to themselves as theydid not use good ventilation practices and that grew to be a habit.I was fortunate to read the wrting on the wall and changed career direction.You have heard it before, if you can't do it, teach it and if you cant' teach it,teach some one else to teach it, etc.

Steady hands,you have got them or you have n't. Me, I have n't

For those of you, welding at home, I can't see a problem if you are using standard electrodes and using good ventilation methods.
Cheers
Grahame
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