Steadying a rod while welding ?

[Jeff Lary]

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]

This how I do it, same as these boys.

YouTube - Rigwelders paradise,pipe welders burnin rod , with own rigtrucks no singlehands,

 

[Jeff Lary]

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]

Real pro's i would say.

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.

 

[Jeff Lary]

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]

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

 

[Shield Arc]

I really enjoy working with metal and welding... :thumbsup:

It is addictive, especially when you see how much money it can save you, if you have much equipment.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Do it until you feel a tingle in your finger....Watch out for moist gloves.

 

[k0ua]

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

 

[Jeff Lary]

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.