electrode trimming when machine on?

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I'm just getting started with GMAW.  I have a Hobart Handler 140, and I was doing some practice beads for the first time today.  I let the gun get a bit too far from the weld, and ended up with a too long stick out that needed to be trimmed off.  That's when I realized I wasn't absolutely positive about whether I needed to turn off the machine before trimming, or, as long as I wasn't touching the workpiece, I could trim the stickout with the machine on.  Which is normal (safe) practice?  Thanks.
Reply:No need to power down.
Reply:Thanks for helping with such a basic question.  Much appreciated.
Reply:Unless you're all sweaty when touching the work piece you won't get a tingle from DC.  Besides, as long as you don't pull the trigger the wire isn't hot anyhow.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I usually pull the trigger and let out 3-4", then bend it back and forth until it breaks off, then start again.
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsI usually pull the trigger and let out 3-4", then bend it back and forth until it breaks off, then start again.
Reply:Normally I just touch the the side of the wire to a sharp edge on my work or the ground clamp, pull trigger fast and pop, it's cut.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55  Besides, as long as you don't pull the trigger the wire isn't hot anyhow.
Reply:Originally Posted by cd19Normally I just touch the the side of the wire to a sharp edge on my work or the ground clamp, pull trigger fast and pop, it's cut.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWBrrrrrr.....! It dives me nuts when the students do that. I absolutely hate it when their work table is covered with dozens and dozens or wire whiskers from burning off the wire... I've cut myself I don't know how many times on the remnants of those wire stubs.    Not always true. Some of the cheap machines the guns are hot full time, as are some of the portable suitcase feeders with no contactor. Even so as long as you aren't touching the grounded work and your nippers are insulated, it wouldn't stop me from cutting the wire back with the machine still on.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWNot always true. Some of the cheap machines the guns are hot full time, as are some of the portable suitcase feeders with no contactor. Even so as long as you aren't touching the grounded work and your nippers are insulated, it wouldn't stop me from cutting the wire back with the machine still on.
Reply:Ha, I been doing it forever, I just break them off but really I hardly ever do it, mostly just if the trigger gets accidentally bumped.  You just don't always have cutters next to you.
Reply:LMMFAO. I hired a young Guatemalan kid many years ago. Those " whiskers" helped him learn Ingrisch. I'd leave porcupine quills all over a work piece just because it pissed him off. He could use every sailors adjective known to man within a couple of months ! One time I purposely did so many the damn thing looked like a broom. That got me a " F.U. pendejo. Kleening dat chit yourself viejo ! We've been buddies ever since( 25 years).He has his own shop now and has also become very proficient at obnoxiousness.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I love when my face is all sweaty and I stick the nozzle to my face to see if I have gas and pull the trigger!! Get a nice DC lick across your cheek... ayyyyeeeee
Reply:Originally Posted by justinTI love when my face is all sweaty and I stick the nozzle to my face to see if I have gas and pull the trigger!! Get a nice DC lick across your cheek... ayyyyeeeee
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThat would drive me nuts watching you fiddle-fart around like that when a quick snip and you'd be welding already.I tend to be an unusually impatient man though
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsWhen I first started doing it, it would take a few tries. Now it takes just as long as it would were I to reach for the clippers and cut it.But luckily I'm not timed.. or being watched very often, because there are times the flux core wire doesn't want to break and I look like I'm trying to open a disagreeable bag of chips.
Reply:I keep a pair of insulated MIG pliers (scraper & cutter) with the welder at all times. When the wire gets too long (oops--missed, purging gas, clean wire, etc) the pliers are within easy reach!Clip and try again. Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A