One-handed Arc Welding

admin

Hello folks,After suffering a massive stroke last fall, my brother Warren has lost the use of his right (dominant) hand. Formerly a millwright for many years, he would like to start welding again.Any ideas on how to compensate for the loss of one hand while welding? Ideas for equipment, etc.?Thanks in advance for your time,Donna
Reply:wire feed welder .......   MIG/flux core  can be used with ease one handedidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Thank you, Prop Doctor!I will look into it. Warren is unable to speak or write yet so I have no idea.Thank you again for your swift response!Donna
Reply:Depending on the postitions and what he wants to weld maybe some type of support pads or leather covered things to steady his arm on. It will be harder to learn to weld with the other hand than it will be to weld with only one hand. best wishes.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:I have been handicapped for twenty years from Beruit, the best thing I can tell him is to practice totally with the hand he can use, I lost my leg and I do everything that any one else can except climb ladders. I even fifed that with a sissors lift. Also I was taught to weld with both hands, I always said it was the best thing I ever learned it can never do any harm, I would advise any welder to not limit yourself to only one hand , It can never do you any harm, and my friend do have a fine recovery and dont get fustrated, with time it will come in time God speed and good luck. IN the future if you ever just want to talk, not just welding you can pm me anytime my e-mail is listed. [email protected] Shopmaster 300Miller Syncrowave 250Miller Thunderbole 250/150 AC-DCMiller Weldpack 140 w/autosetMiller S-22 WirefeederLincoln 255 xt Mig welderLincoln 216 Mig welderVictor,Smith and Harris OA7X 12 JET BANDSAW
Reply:I am right handed.  My right hand has the shakes.  What I have done is practice, test, qualify and work with my left hand.  Now I can pick up the stinger with either hand without a thought and just go to townGordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:I'm right handed and I can weld better with my left. That won't hold him back!Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Sorry I may not have when I stick weld, i drilled a 100 hole jig that would hold 100 rods on a piece of wood. Mostly I flux core weld when migging but I have both hands, when welding  or concrete or dozers ect, and I cant use the artificial leg I take it off and crawl do what you have too,but never , never put your health at risk. I've been told I was crazy but never stop I guess I wont till the good Lord calls me! just do what you can or get a helper and i repeat never I mean never give up!!!Last edited by wbolden; 08-23-2011 at 11:19 PM.Reason: grammarMiller Shopmaster 300Miller Syncrowave 250Miller Thunderbole 250/150 AC-DCMiller Weldpack 140 w/autosetMiller S-22 WirefeederLincoln 255 xt Mig welderLincoln 216 Mig welderVictor,Smith and Harris OA7X 12 JET BANDSAW
Reply:You guys are the best! Thank for your ideas and support. Warren has a Lincoln AC 225 amp, a Lincoln WeldPak 100 and another Lincoln something or other that has no other information on it. It is the size and shape of a baby elephant and runs on gas (not peanuts). What the heck is this thing?And, of course, enough power tools to make any guy jealous!
Reply:Originally Posted by Warren'sSisterand another Lincoln something or other that has no other information on it. It is the size and shape of a baby elephant and runs on gas (not peanuts). What the heck is this thing?!
Reply:From a one hander, tell him to keep practicing and don't take no for an answer.  Lots of people will ignorantly tell him he can't do something.  But that is not the truth.Anyway, I have an arc welder and a little flux core machine.  Here's the things that help me:- clamps, lots of clamps, claps everywhere- comfortable welding position, seated or standing or kneeling.  If you're comfortable, you can be stable and steady.- use jigs, invent and build what you need.  I know, catch 22, but they help.- use an autodark helmet, even if he can flip the regular one.  With only one hand holding the position to strike the first arc any movement can throw you off- practice...get mad..practice more.  If he's already a welder he knows what to do.  Just needsto adjust to a new way of doing it- he may or may not have trouble using the other tools - like a grinder.  Even if a person can gorilla an angle grinder for one pass, I wouldn't count on that for several hours of work.  It is very tiring and being tired and one handing a grinder can lead to a spectacular mess.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:My granddad had a stroke when I was a teenager. He retained the use of his right (dominant) hand. He was disabled before the stroke but we always tried to humor him. One day I watched him cut up seed potatoes. One handed standing in the yard at the tailgate of his truck.  If your brother wants to relearn to weld he can it'll just take practice and a little creative thinking. An armrest of some sort I believe would give him a good start. And if he doesn't have a autodark hood you can buy just the lense to drop in to whatever hood he already has. The autodark lense will make it much easier on him.Last edited by MrLeadMan; 08-25-2011 at 06:21 PM.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe