Got Zapped. Need Advice.

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Previously, I had been using the Harbor Freight inverter welder and I wasn't all that happy with it.  It worked great with 1/16" 6011 rod, but anything bigger it just felt like the machine just was "trying" too hard to get a decent bead.I found a Miller Econotwin HF on Craigslist.  Even though it's older, it's still vastly superior.  However, I went to change sticks with it on and I got a zap on my hand.  Never had this problem with the Harbor Freight welder, it's kind of annoying to have to shut the machine off every time I burn through a rod.  Advice, anybody?
Reply:Get new gloves. Yours are toast.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!
Reply:It was a cold rod.  The hot rod I just open the stinger and let it drop out onto the floor and I never touch it.
Reply:You might check and make sure the high frequency start  for the tig portion is turned off, but worn or wet gloves could cause the same issues..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:HF was definitely on.
Reply:Yup, that high freq will wake you up good, better than a cup of coffee and a slap in the face. I'll bet it only takes one more time before you always remember to turn that off for stick welding.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by porosityIt was a cold rod.  The hot rod I just open the stinger and let it drop out onto the floor and I never touch it.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellHot or cold, if you're touching the rod with bare skin when it's in the stinger, then you may get shocked. The flux may protect you, though. Either way, and even if your HF was on, your gloves should be protecting you, so if they're not, you should look into why. Were they wet from sweat maybe? Or maybe they are just old and worn thin in places. It happens.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwelleven if your HF was on, your gloves should be protecting you, so if they're not, you should look into why.
Reply:I was at work all sweaty a couple weeks ago. I had to lean up against the pipe to get an angle at the weld, when I hit that foot pedal to start up the TIG it just about knocked my dick in the dirt. I switched over to LiftArc after I went over and picked up my hood that got heaved across the shop.
Reply:HF will definately go through gloves, and jackets, and pants, I have taken a HF arc in some unfriendly places, an old trick back in shop class was to stick the filler rod in the torch so you basically have a 3' electrode sticking out, wait till someone sat down at the booth just outside and reach through the curtain with the rod, stick that right at the top of their crack and stomp the pedal. You have never seen the lazy stoner kid in class move so fast in your life, an occasional little tingle to the back of an ear will also wake people up. Probably not the safest thing in the world but it sure can be funny.
Reply:On that machine HF should only be on in TIG mode.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellHot or cold, if you're touching the rod with bare skin when it's in the stinger, then you may get shocked. The flux may protect you, though. Either way, and even if your HF was on, your gloves should be protecting you, so if they're not, you should look into why. Were they wet from sweat maybe? Or maybe they are just old and worn thin in places. It happens.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinI thought HF was super high voltage and would go right through a glove...I know my Sync 250 bites me from time to time when the HF is on continuous and I get the filler too close to the tungsten...YOW!
Reply:You get used to tingled. Weld in the rain or when it 90 and 90% humidity you learn how to hold rods.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:It will zap you a lot, especially if your sweaty with no gloves. I don't think it is harmful, but its enough to remind you to wear gloves.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanTwo things.1) an inverter usually has a much lower OCV (open circuit voltage) than a transformer machine.  IIRC, my Miller Dynasty 200DX (inverter) will have a 5-10V OCV.  I would expect 20-30V for most Chinese inverters, but transformer machines may be as high as 80V.The high OCV of a transformer can shock you, but generally will not shock through dry gloves2) yes HF will go right through a glove.
Reply:Originally Posted by porosityFor ****s and giggles, I put a multimeter on it.  It's about 70V.  I'm also confused how it can shock you with just one end of the electrode.  To get a real jolt, wouldn't I need to actually be holding both the work clamp and the stinger?  Or, otherwise put myself between the potential?  I know that it is possible for some current to "leak" to ground, but I didn't think it was enough to give you a real jolt.  Should I be turning the machine off to change rods?  That seems horribly impractical.
Reply:Originally Posted by papaharley03You got tingled by the HF, not the OCV. In stick mode, make sure HF is off and you shouldn't have an issue..except..if you are welding with AC, be more cautious about becoming part of the welding circuit.Papa
Reply:Originally Posted by porosityCorrect me if I'm wrong, but HF is only for starting the arc (on TIG) and should only be engaged momentarily.  Once the arc is started I should kill it, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by porosityCorrect me if I'm wrong, but HF is only for starting the arc (on TIG) and should only be engaged momentarily.  Once the arc is started I should kill it, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by joshuabardwellWhat do you mean by, "I should kill it"?
Reply:Originally Posted by porosityThe machine has a pedal to toggle HF mode.
Reply:I have an econotig. I believe HF is on all the time in TIG mode. It's not a true HF if I remember right. I think it's some sort of capacitor start system.  Anyway in stick mode, HF is off. In stick mode there should be no shock problem, but I get zapped all the time in TIG mode. Usually because its hot, sweaty conditions. I probably don't have gloves on, because, of course, it's a 3 minute job.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartI get zapped all the time in TIG mode. Usually because its hot, sweaty conditions. I probably don't have gloves on, because, of course, it's a 3 minute job.Hey, What kind of welder has the guy in the blue shirt got? Looks like stacked pizza boxes.
Reply:Originally Posted by CabbagehatsHey, What kind of welder has the guy in the blue shirt got? Looks like stacked pizza boxes.
Reply:Actually.......not always. If its a 1 minute (not a 3 minute) job, I hate to admit it but some jobs are "spray and pray", sound and angle. I've worked overseas, and those guys are over dressed.