New and need some advice

admin

First off I'd like to say hi to everyone here, I have never welded before but plan on picking up a lincoln mig pak 140 since I don't have access to higher voltage right now, my main concern is getting shocked since I have to work outdoors and there is snow on the ground, I need to repair an atv rack where the factory weld broke and make a light bracket to weld to the front rack, how dangerous would this be?
Reply:I live in the North West, and built bridges, and container ship docks for a living. Guess what? We never stopped for the weather. If we could get to work, we worked.You could wear heavy rubber gloves, or thin cannery rubber gloves inside your leather welding gloves. This helps with getting shocked.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:Was in a refinery, and the guys welded the tanks in snowy conditions all the time, there still kicking.
Reply:Welcome to the forum CM727.Lincoln A/C 225Everlast P/A 200
Reply:I weld outside, Mig or Stick. Mig is easier in the respect that you never touch anything "electrical". Stick is harder only because you may touch the rod with damp gloves. Easiest solution next to a thin rubber glove is to put the rod on a surface to grab with the stinger or hold it with your arm against your body assuming your leather and clothes are dry enough to insulate you.Besides what fun would welding be without a little Jolt to keep you paying attention! HAHAHA!!!
Reply:Plus that welder probably puts out a max of 22v. You can't feel it unless you put your tongue on it. And if you're somebody that goes around licking welders you've got bigger issues than the electricity to worry about. 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:Originally Posted by Iain PAnd if you're somebody that goes around licking welders you've got bigger issues than the electricity to worry about.
Reply:Your concern about electrical shock is good but as mentioned, with the the Mig machine you will not get shocked from the welding part of your project.NOTE: electrical shock is still possible from the POWER cord connection/ Extension cord connection to your receptacle when around wet areas.Ed 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:Originally Posted by CM727First off I'd like to say hi to everyone here, I have never welded before but plan on picking up a lincoln mig pak 140 since I don't have access to higher voltage right now, my main concern is getting shocked since I have to work outdoors and there is snow on the ground, I need to repair an atv rack where the factory weld broke and make a light bracket to weld to the front rack, how dangerous would this be?
Reply:Thanks for the replys, I just thought I'd ask to be on the safe side, unfortunately don't have a garage yet, would like to lease one in the future and get a bigger welder and some other things, I have a few projects planned that will have to wait until the snows gone and it warms up, next summer I'll hopefully build a new smoker and utility trailer
Reply:grab one of those portable garages from harbor freight or northern tools for a few bucks, they would work great to get you and the project out of the weather....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:+1 on the portable garages, even an ez-up with a huge tarp thrown over it will help, make a little air flow for fume removal. As to getting shocked, I generally work in the open air workshop and snowplows always break during the storm, why they don't break in July I don't know.  Lincoln is a goodbrand and likely has what's called a contactor, so the tip isn't live when you're not holding the trigger.  Some super cheap mig welders are hot all the time.  Mig isn't bad in thewet as long as your work piece is dry, mapp torch is good for warming it up a bit.   Stick in the wet sucks as I'd get a tickle everytime I'd go to change the rod out. Keeping yoursticks dry in the snow is interesting.   You should be wearing boots, sleeves and gloves anyway, mostly watch out for your power cord,  120v is a lot more eager than 18v to find a path back to ground.
Reply:Before the Lincoln LN-22s came out, and all we had was SMAW / stick. I use to put the rod in my left arm pit, holding the stinger in my right hand clamp onto the rod, and back to welding. Now this is with a rain coat on. Man I would hate to be shocked in the arm pit! 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:Shocked in the armpit, yikes, that might well suck!   salt slush dripping down on your everything sucks bad enough. Also, find some scrap to practice welding on before you attack the rack directly, get a feel for the settings where it doesn't matter much.
Reply:I have a small portable garage I can use, it's just big enough to move around the atv, I have a couple parts machines so I'll practice on some of the steel on one of those that's the same thickness, been having some trouble tracking down some scrap metal to use locally, everyone hangs onto the stuff
Reply:Well tractor supply / home centers have some crappy grade low carbon random alloy steel, C1016 or worse.  If you live in a more rural area, your local town / county dump will often have a scrap metal pile I scored a bunch of 1/2 metal rods from mine, not sure what I need them for but the price was free.  If you find you like welding and you see some projects, shop around your local steel suppliers, most will give an email quote, prices will vary wildly and sometimes you can pick from their 'cut' pile or 'drops' for reduced cost.
Reply:Get one of those big market umbrellas from harbor freight. They fit in a typical pipe stand perfect. The portable garage is even better as mentioned.As for a shock, that's part of the experience.
Reply:Here is how you do ittrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:Originally Posted by akphillHere is how you do it
Reply:there is a jackstand behind the tires on each sidethe jack was there to hold up the part i was reattaching loltrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015