Always-on Arc Welder. Stow stinger for brief moments?

luvit · Oct 26, 2012

Hey.
When you guys are on metal welding tables with an always-on buzz box, where do you rest your live stinger for the several seconds it takes you to setup your project pieces?

I would like to consider leaving the hot electrode on the stinger.
Even though i'm wearing gloves, I'd like to keep the practice of not handling a super hot electrode.

I have an idea, but want to know what you were taught vs what you find fast and safe.
.

Journaler · Oct 26, 2012

I usually just put mine on the floor.

I've heard good things about this though:
it's insulated, and made in USA!

http://www.plwelder.com/store.php/products/insulated-stinger-v-plw1083

2mJps · Oct 26, 2012

I cant remember the last time i welded at a table but at the school i went to they had eye bolts welded to the tables to put the rod clamp handle in.

lotsoftools · Oct 27, 2012

I often throw the stinger over my shoulder. Probably not the best idea, but no problems as of yet.

bad_idea · Oct 28, 2012

If the stinger is in good condition, it should have insulation on it to prevent it from arcing. I just lay mine on the table with the rod removed. Get used to handling hot rods (no homo). Pull the rod out of the stinger, lay it on the table, lay the stinger on table.

Or weld a 'U' to the edge of the table for the stinger handle to hang on. Then you can leave the rod in stinger with a little care.

jhn9840 · Oct 28, 2012

lotsoftools said:
I often throw the stinger over my shoulder. Probably not the best idea, but no problems as of yet.

Easiest way if your just chipping, brushing or grinding a weld and need both hands free for a moment.

jhn9840
John

luvit · Oct 28, 2012

lotsoftools said:
I often throw the stinger over my shoulder. Probably not the best idea, but no problems as of yet.

bad_idea said:
...weld a 'U' to the edge of the table for the stinger handle to hang on.

lotsoftools, I was thinking of a way to still leave the hot electrode on the lead.
i am definitely afraid of accidentally leaving a short hot electrode on the stinger to poke my back. lol.

badi, after i wrote the OP, i realized what that loop welded to my table was for (welded by my dad). the farm hands always used that loop for the chipping hammer.
i did find that loop to work perfectly and i'm glad you posted so i could see i'm not just being lazier than everyone else. lol.

the solution was under my nose.
.

Mr.N · Oct 28, 2012

luvit said:
Hey.
When you guys are on metal welding tables with an always-on buzz box, where do you rest your live stinger for the several seconds it takes you to setup your project pieces?

I would like to consider leaving the hot electrode on the stinger.
Even though i'm wearing gloves, I'd like to keep the practice of not handling a super hot electrode.

Your worried about hot? Heck that rod stay hot even if you turn off the welder. I'm more worried about getting a flash of light with the hood up. (They are bright)

I have my welder on a cart and usually close by, I just hang the handle on the cart and do what ever I need to do on the table. If I have to get up out of my stool, I'll turn the welder off.

luvit · Oct 28, 2012

Mr.N said:
Your worried about hot? Heck that rod stay hot even if you turn off the welder. I'm more worried about getting a flash of light with the hood up. (They are bright)
...I just hang the handle on the cart and do what ever I need to do on the table. If I have to get up out of my stool, I'll turn the welder off.

right, mr. n. per the posts above, i'm worried about all the facets of a live stinger with a hot electrode for the short times where I do not walk away.
i'm finding that loop pretty handy and may just add a 2nd loop it a better location on the table.

racingtadpole · Oct 30, 2012

Cheap and dirty, get a scrap of timber, drill a hole a 1/4" hole in it and clamp it to the table leg. Put the electrode through the hole and use it to hang the hand piece (logic dictates that you dont want to position the timber anywhere where the rod can contact the bench).

Mud · Oct 30, 2012

air hooks mate, they work every time!

Journaler · Oct 30, 2012

Mud said:
air hooks mate, they work every time!

My google-fu must be bad today. Do you have any pics?

Mud · Oct 30, 2012

Air hooks? you know-- air hooks!!!!

racingtadpole · Oct 30, 2012

Mud said:
Air hooks? you know-- air hooks!!!!

Zeke · Oct 30, 2012

At the school I went to we hung them on the wall of the booth within arm's reach and well away from the grounded work station. At home I have a pole on a rim with a hook like a hat tree. The hook slides to any convenient height. I can hang a lit oxy torch on it.

machine_punk · Oct 30, 2012

Hee hee...I thought you were saying that your floor (concrete) was insulated and made in the USA (good thing, 'cause the shipping on that would be cost-prohibitive...no matter what the COO).

Journaler said:
I usually just put mine on the floor.

I've heard good things about this though:
it's insulated, and made in USA!

http://www.plwelder.com/store.php/products/insulated-stinger-v-plw1083

Journaler · Oct 30, 2012

machine_punk said:
Hee hee...I thought you were saying that your floor (concrete) was insulated and made in the USA (good thing, 'cause the shipping on that would be cost-prohibitive...no matter what the COO).

shipping isn't too bad, just requires some assembly when all the chunks of concrete get there.

Always-on Arc Welder. Stow stinger for brief moments?

luvit

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Journaler

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2mJps

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lotsoftools

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bad_idea

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jhn9840

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luvit

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Mr.N

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luvit

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