Suggestions on safely selling a welder?

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I have a 120V 85amp wire feed welder that has been gathering dust in the corner for a few years.  It got me started in welding, but I have definitely moved beyond it.So I have a teenager that is interested in buying it from me.  Problem is that I don't know him too well and don't want him coming back on me if he does something stupid.I've been welding since a lot younger than this kid and want to give him a chance as people gave me a chance.  Just a little concerned that he has been watching the cable shows and won't follow proper safety measures.Short of not selling it to him, any suggestions on covering my own liability in the sale?
Reply:I'm going to have him sign a bill of sale.  So far, I have this text to include:Buyer acknowledges an awareness of the dangers of the welding process and assumes full resonsibility for the safe use of this equipment including reading and following the owner's manual and safety instructions in regards to personal protection, equipment maintenance, welding procedure, and all other safety guidelines.  Seller assumes responsibility for neither misuse or improper handling of this equipment nor for the suitability of any fabrications constructed with this equipment.  Buyer is highly encouraged to seek out and make use of resources to further his education and understanding of the welding process.
Reply:I'd just make sure I got paid in cash and give no receipt. I have sold a couple of stick welders (and a whole lot of other stuff) over the years at garage sales just that way. I do give a simple receipt (if asked for) just to give proof the buyer didn't steal the item.In today's world of lawyers and lawsuits I'd be concerned that you wrote what seems to be a foolproof statement foir him to sign but then if something did happen then some shyster lawyer would find something you missed anywayIf you want to get paranoid about it you might consider that I don't think anything signed by a teenager (under 18) is valid anyway. Can't make contracts with minors (at least I don't think you can). Look at it this way...he can walk into any number of stores and buy a welder off the shelf without any discalimer asked for.
Reply:I was definitely going to get cash and was going to have one of his parents sign as well as him.  My thought was to at least have him sign something that said that I gave him all the safety instructions that originally came with the machine, a welding helmet, etc. and if he didn't use it then I could at least prove that it had been given to him.When I started welding, the people who taught me stressed the safety aspects and there was no "American Chopper" showing people welding in T-shirts and just closing their eyes to tack.  I'd never consider welding with less than helmet, gloves, and heavy shirt.  If more than a couple tacks I put the leathers on as well.Personally, I'm surprised that the cable shows have not been sued yet over some kid following their examples...
Reply:Ok, what are the thoughts of foregoing the semi-legalize and just doing a bill of sale listing everything he is getting and keeping a copy for myself.  That way I can list that he is getting everything originally included with the welder, including the full owner's manual and a helmet.  If he doesn't use it, he cannot say that I did not furnish him with it...
Reply:Like Dave says, you don't have to sign any waivers and such if you bought one at a dealer. Legal requirements are even less for individuals. Heck he can buy a car if he wants to. A car could kill him before he got home with it.
Reply:I agree that there are lots of things that he could buy that would be just as easy to do damage to him.  I guess the question is that if he buys from Home Depot, he gets the factory box with all the safety warnings and such included.  Even though I am providing him with everything that came in the box, I'm a little paranoid that if something happens he'll turn around and say "Oh, I never got the instruction manual, safety warnings, etc..."Perhaps if I have these misgivings about the situation, I should just not sell the thing to him...  Perhaps my gut instinct is trying to tell me something?
Reply:Include all items on the bill of sale as you suggest, but forget about having the kid sign it.Have the bill of sale show that you sold _only_ to the parent....The parent can give or sell it to the kid, ain't none of your nevermind, at least as far as the paperwork needs to show.This is exactly how I bought my first deer rifle. In CO you can (or could then anyway) hunt with a parent at age 14. As you can imagine, the seller was even more skittish about selling an '06 (I've alway been a bigun) to a teen than you are about this welder, and there would have been no deal if I had not shown up with my dad.What with High Schools shutting down shop programs and such, us folks with the knowlege and knack NEED to encourage kids that show an interest. It'd be a damn shame if the lawyers put enough fear into us that we didn't.Last edited by kevbo; 03-15-2005 at 12:28 PM.
Reply:That's the thing.  I'd like to encourage someone who has the interest.  On the other hand, I don't want some fool doing bodily harm to himself or others and then coming back to me when it all goes wrong.Thanks for everyone's suggestions.  Think I'll just go the route of listing all the items included, have the parent sign, and that way I'll have something to prove that the safety instructions were all included.