When an electrode sticks

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What happens to the machine if an electrode is stuck when striking arc on a stick machine and it is not broken off quickly ?I just got an inverter machine and am wondering if the circuitry can be damaged when this happens.Thanks,LMM 180
Reply:Originally Posted by lennykI just got an inverter machine and am wondering if the circuitry can be damaged when this happens.
Reply:I've never left one stuck long enough to find out, but I'm assuming yes. Essentially you are shorting across the terminals of a transformer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:You'll be just fine don't worry about it haha. The way a welding machine works is that electric current is passing through the stinger on to the electrode and into the metal your welding then the flow of electricity goes onto your ground (safety) without the ground in place I don't believe you can strike an arc.... And if you could the electricity would go through you and you would be the new ground.... Which would result in getting shocked.As far as sticking the rod.... It happens to the best from time to time you'll get the hang of it. What happens when you stick the electrode is pretty simple.....the electrode gets real hot as electric current is still attempting to pass through it. best bet if you stick an electrode would be to un-clamp the electrode break off the electrode and start again, best of luck!
Reply:Everything will get very hot, and then, if you are lucky, the machine's thermal protection will kick in.Everlast PA160-STH... and that's about it!
Reply:Hello lennyk, it is very likely that your machine will be set far below the amperage that it is capable of delivering at full output and the rod will turn red hot and eventually melt off at some point along it's length. If you "were" set to full output on the machine and it didn't melt off it would probably kick out the thermal on the machine. Is it good to test this theory, NO, will you likely ever push it to this sort of extreme, NOT LIKELY. If you do stick a rod so hard that you can't twist it off you need to simply release the electrode from the rod holder. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Sticking a rod is very much like using a welder to thaw pipes since you basically hook up the stinger and ground to the pipe and turn on the machine. It's certainly not "good" for most machines, but we really aren't talking about leaving the machine run for a significant length of time like you do when you thaw pipes. At most we are talking about is probably less than one minute for you to either break the electrode loose, open the stinger and release the rod, turn off the machine, or have the rod melt..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:Never knew it could do damage to the machine . I used to freak out and hurry up and pull the clamp thing off the stick. It was terrifying to me when I first started to weld. A little bit of pam cooking spray will help ya keep your stick from sticking. *insert welding gibberish here*                    Mandy
Reply:Some newer inverters will detect a stuck electrode and reduce the current to a safe level, typically 20A or so. I wouldn't push my luck with cheaper off-brand welders, though.A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:TURN IT UP AND IT WON'T STICKSwanny
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello lennyk, it is very likely that your machine will be set far below the amperage that it is capable of delivering at full output
Reply:Hello joshuabardwell, I'm curios, what happened when you exceeded the 20% duty cycle on your machine? My point being that if a machine is used in accordance with it's design it will not "fry" itself. It might trip a breaker on your service or open up the internal circuit for the input current to allow cooling to occur, but it will not generally cause the machine to go ballistic. Just my $.02 Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by lennykWhat happens to the machine if an electrode is stuck when striking arc on a stick machine and it is not broken off quickly ?I just got an inverter machine and am wondering if the circuitry can be damaged when this happens.Thanks,L
Reply:Thanks for the replies, it is a cheapo 160a 220v Chinese inverter.Have not stuck a rod yet but was just wondering as i opened it up in curiosity and saw the circuitry in it and lack of iron/weight.It starts arc quite easily on the 6013 i am using.MM 180
Reply:My TA Dragster 85 came from the factory with a twist lock stinger.  The type that inherently makes it more difficult to detach a stuck rod quickly.  And with a whopping 85 amp output.  Seems like they wouldn't do that if not removing a rod instantly would harm the machine.  Does anyone know the ohms resistance of an arc while stick welding vs. The zero ohms of a stuck rod?I bet one call to Miller tech would settle the debate.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by lennykit is a cheapo 160a 220v Chinese inverter.
Reply:With a cheap welder, anything can happen.  See post #15 here regarding the Harbor Freight 130A inverter welder:  http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...g-aluminum-A-C"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by lennykHave not stuck a rod yet It starts arc quite easily on the 6013 i am using.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumWith a cheap welder, anything can happen.  See post #15 here regarding the Harbor Freight 130A inverter welder:  http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...g-aluminum-A-C
Reply:On a Lincoln 225 buzz box, the 75 Amp setting is circled.  That setting, and that setting only, is for thawing pipes.  That's pretty much a sustained short circuit. I wonder what the output current is limited to in that case?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumOn a Lincoln 225 buzz box, the 75 Amp setting is circled.  That setting, and that setting only, is for thawing pipes.
Reply:Anyone ever punch themselves in the face trying to pull a stuck rod off?  Or am I the only a-hole that that's happened to.Lincoln Weldanpower AC/DCLincoln LN-25Miller WC-115a Miller Spoolmatic 30aCheck out my youtube TV Channel
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumOn a Lincoln 225 buzz box, the 75 Amp setting is circled.  That setting, and that setting only, is for thawing pipes.  That's pretty much a sustained short circuit. I wonder what the output current is limited to in that case?
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I always thought that was its 100% duty cycle rating amperage but could never find anything on it to confirm or disprove.
Reply:Another thread about the pip thawing setting:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...n-225-question"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welderOriginally Posted by aevaldHello joshuabardwell, I'm curios, what happened when you exceeded the 20% duty cycle on your machine? My point being that if a machine is used in accordance with it's design it will not "fry" itself. It might trip a breaker on your service or open up the internal circuit for the input current to allow cooling to occur, but it will not generally cause the machine to go ballistic. Just my $.02 Best regards, Allan
Reply:I've seen them stuck long enough to turn the whole rod red and peel the flux off, leave them long enough and it will melt itself off or the thermal overload will kick in and cut welding current (if it's new enough to have it)