can i touch the work cable

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Hi,I just want to make sure of something. I'm using a Lincoln Mig Pak 10. I'm practicing with FCAW, so I had to switch the maching to Negative Polarity, so the work cable (clamp) is connected to the positive connection inside.This question also relates to abrogard's question (thread) titled 'Should I leave my welder switched on?'. I am not sure if I can touch the work cable, when the machine is on. Might be a simple/dumb question. But yesterday when I was using it, I shut the machine off every time I had to move the work cable. I didn't like doing that, because I thought it would be better to leave it on, and the fan running. But I wasn't sure if i could touch the work cable with the machine on.Can I touch the work cable when the machine is on? Even with this reverse polarity? When I say on, I don't mean when I have the trigger pressed, and I'm trying to weld, I just mean when I'm not welding, I've set down the gun, and want to move the work cable (clamp) to a new location.Cheers!homsted
Reply:Yeah, you're fine.caveats though, don't hold the work clamp in one bare hand and the contact tip in the other and bump the trigger.  Bad-bad-bad.If you put the gun down, make sure that the trigger doesn't get bumped and better yet make sure the gun and tip can't touch you or the work when you put it down.  Also, if you have your nice dry leather welding gloves on it will help insure that the 'juice' doesn't go through you.Safety first! The machines don't care what they cut or grind or arc, you or a workpiece it's all pretty much the same to the machines.
Reply:Thanks MoonRise! That's what I thought, but wanted to confirm. I was and will make sure that the gun is put down, and the trigger can't be bumped, before i touch the work cable. Speaking of gloves, are there ones that will stop the current from going through you? Can you recommend any? I work for an electrical distribution company, and they have the rubber gloves, but they're big and bulky.Cheers!homsted
Reply:Just about any leather gloves work fine for welding. Welders generally operate at high currents and low voltages so it doesn't take much to provide adequate electrical insulation. Be sure not to sweat through the gloves or get them wet or you could be shocked. Just try to avoid leather gloves that have canvas parts as the canvas could be ignited by spatter.Visit Tensaiteki.com
Reply:Any time you touch, or lean on you table or welded item you "touch" the work cable. What has been said about keeping the two ends separate id valid advise. If later on you get into stick work, and it's larger, like your in or on the piece, be carefull when you change rods. when you are wet,(rain or sweat), you are one with the ground, and changing rods can be a bit shocking. Dry gloves, standing up or away from the piece, whatever it takes.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Everyone is correct...But after you get good you can do this too..Just stay away from the ground clamp...   ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:To Zapster, What you are doing is totally different than the question. FYI: High frequency does not inter the body, instead, it flows on the surface, that's why you will not be shocked.To homsted,you can touch work cable if you don't have a touch with the return one.Regards.Katani
Reply:I'll tell ya what, it's never a good idea to be between the two electrodes when the machine is on.  never ever.  Cuz I'll tell ya, wooo hooo, it tickles just a little bit.  I've been bitten a few times with my tig rig after coming off of a weld.  I usually run about 120 amps or so of DC when I put a root pass in pipe, and made the mistake of leaning over the table to grab the sketch while at the same time the tungsten was poking almost through my jacket.  Man, that pretty well curled my lips.  Anyway, it's aways a good idea to have the other lead away from you if you intend to handle the work lead.