MIG welding outside in damp conditions - what can be done to maximise safety?

admin

Hello all, My first post on here, and hoping your combined experiences and knowledge can save me from zapping myself! I have to MIG weld the inner sills on my 4x4 for my annual vehicle safety inspection (called an MOT) here in the UK by the start of February - or I won't be able to drive it on the road legally. My welding work area is outside only - a gravel parking lot with about 2-4 inches of very damp gravel on black terram (nylon weedbarrier) underneath. We've had heavy rains here over the past month, so the ground is nearly 100% saturated for all practical purposes. This may dry slightly in the next few weeks, but not by much.First, NO WAY I'd ever think about welding in the rain or mist, but what steps can I take to maximise safety from electrocution, laying on my back under the vehicle?I'm using a 135amp MIG welder, the largest that will run on our 13amp standard power outlets here (240v). I'll do all the welding on low or lowest settings, between 30 to 55amps, still plenty enough to kill me I suppose.I know about wearing dry clothing and especially gloves, and working with the ground clamp/cable away from my body. The mig welder is basically new, all the cables are in good condition.So could I lay on a large rubber mat (like 6x4ft x 3/8th inch thick) on top of a couple of dry wooden pallets, and weld in safety wearing DRY clothing and gloves, rubber boots, and of course keep the ground clamp securely attached to the area I'm working on?The wildcard here - I was wondering if I grounded the chassis to a pipe hammered in the ground with some jumper cables if this would increase or decrease my safety, or just let the tyres insulate the chassis from ground? (Basic electricity 101 here, just don't know which way is best on that!). The 4x4 sits high enough off the ground I don't need to jack it up, so no axle stands to ground it that way.My alternative is to run my spare old car on the road for a few months until drier conditions get here, but I need the 4wd for work ideally, though getting zapped isn't worth it!Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Reply:I live in the Seattle area. You may have heard it rains here a little bit. I worked outside most of my life. If I were you, I’d lay a sheet of plywood on the ground, and wear a pair of rubber gloves. Or some thin cannery rubber gloves inside your welding gloves.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:+1 on laying on plywood - I also do that in the winter instead of laying on snow and ice.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI live in the Seattle area. You may have heard it rains here a little bit. I worked outside most of my life. If I were you, I’d lay a sheet of plywood on the ground, and wear a pair of rubber gloves. Or some thin cannery rubber gloves inside your welding gloves.
Reply:I live just across the bay from Bremerton. Done several construction projects in the Navy yard there in Bremerton. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I liked it up there in that area. Plenty of welding to do at the yards I imagine. Nice aerial photo! Hey thanks again for the tips, just wanting to try and keep it safe.
Reply:I never minded welding in the rain. But it can be a pain to see, with the water running in the lenses. You do go through a lot of rain gear welding. But union rules, the contractor has to replace it for us.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave+1 on laying on plywood - I also do that in the winter instead of laying on snow and ice.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI never minded welding in the rain. But it can be a pain to see, with the water running in the lenses. You do go through a lot of rain gear welding. But union rules, the contractor has to replace it for us.
Reply:Yeah we don’t stop for the rain here. If we did, nothing would ever get built!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPYeah we don’t stop for the rain here. If we did, nothing would ever get built!
Reply:Your biggest concern will be with the mains connection cords and connection points on extension cords, just like any other tool you plug in.Wet conditions don't effect Mig Welding safety. You can grab the piece you are welding on.The plywood will just keep you from getting wetEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:The output voltage of that mig welder is probably 20v. I think you'd be hard pressed to even feel 20v. Other than keeping the welder and yourself from sitting in a puddle I Wouldn't worry about it too much. I was welding up under a truck yesterday outside and it was misting pretty good and I didn't feel a thing.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:MIG and flux core are the safest welding methods in damp conditions provided your equipment is in good shape. As long as you don't touch the wire or the contact tip your chances of getting a shock are practically nil. Grounding the chassis would be worse than useless as it would only increase the chances of a shock if there was a fault in the welder or the power cord.Also make sure to attach your ground clamp to clean metal as close as possible to the part you are welding. This is to prevent damage to the electrical system of the vehicle.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps