Anyone ever been shocked by a stick welder? I know that electricity will take the easiest path to ground, but I've held the thing I was welding and not been shocked. What would happen if you were standing on your ground and then held the rod holder?
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Shocked by Welder
- Thread starter jacked_72
- Start date
readhead
Well-known member
Nothing. The stinger is insulated for just that reason. You probably got shocked because you actually touched the electrode or the insulation is damaged on the stinger. If a person does much stick welding then they have been shocked a few times.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I've had it happen on occasion. Usually when its raining or I'm working in a wet environment.
Its not like electrocution, more of a tingle and a slight poke. Most welders have a fairly low OCV so this isn't a huge risk.
Its not like electrocution, more of a tingle and a slight poke. Most welders have a fairly low OCV so this isn't a huge risk.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
The worst one I had was when I was changing the wire spool on my little mig, and I happened to be sitting on the platform I was fabbing handrails on. I couldn't hear the gas, so I stupidly put the gun up by my ear to listen for it. I then had the new wire come out and poke me right in the jaw. I tasted my fillings for about an hour after that.
ForceFed70
Well-known member
Not me but my uncle. It was 30 years ago and I was only about 10yo at the time. I got the 10yo explanation of what happened so I'm a little thin on details but:
He worked at a machine shop that built heavy equipment for logging industry. He was using the shop's "Big Arc Welder" that had a bad/damaged rod holder. It somehow managed to short out through his thumb. What I remember clear as day was his thumb. He took off the bandage and showed it to me. Best way I can describe it was that his thumb looked like a hot dog that had been left on the grill too long. It was black, swollen, and split. Despite how bad it looked, he recovered pretty well with little permanent damage.
He worked at a machine shop that built heavy equipment for logging industry. He was using the shop's "Big Arc Welder" that had a bad/damaged rod holder. It somehow managed to short out through his thumb. What I remember clear as day was his thumb. He took off the bandage and showed it to me. Best way I can describe it was that his thumb looked like a hot dog that had been left on the grill too long. It was black, swollen, and split. Despite how bad it looked, he recovered pretty well with little permanent damage.
Ign
Well-known member
I'd be more worried about a plasma, they tend to operate at higher output voltages. That said, I've owned a plasma since '03 and never had a problem.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Only bad shock I ever got was repairing a customers machine on site. He had "repaired" it himself and connected one of the legs to chassis ground. I leaned against machine while he exlained problem. Some hose and cable moved and my backside touched the case.
It was carrying line voltage.
It was carrying line voltage.
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
Some of those old stick welders were worst than the newer ones on shocking. My dad had a old Craftsman AC from the early 50's that would do it once in a while. He replaced it in the late 70's.
trackwelder
Well-known member
More times than I care to remember. Not so much now with the suitcase feeders..
In a steel housing for a filter system in Oklahoma during a heat wave and high humidity.
I got shocked so many times think it was the last place I worked that only had a stick welder decided that TIG was much better to be proficient at.
I got shocked so many times think it was the last place I worked that only had a stick welder decided that TIG was much better to be proficient at.
Dingleburry
Well-known member
Only been shocked with scratch start tig welder, holding filler rod with bare hands. Happened at end of weld when moving the tig gun away. Just slight shock little pinch. Thats all.
I got a little tingle earlier today stick welding a heat shield back on my muffler. The shock was well worth the rattling that it used to do. I doesnt help that i was laying down on the concrete floor and wasnt using gloves
Cope
Well-known member
I can tell you to never be between the work lead and torch on a tig machine.
laser3kw
Well-known member
Had a friend killed by one. Weird situation:
Paul was welding under a semi trailer doing repairs. He was working in the summer, for the most part properly clothed and safety gear on. He had taken his gloves off to do something and then when done, grabbed a fresh electrode and clamped it up in the holder. At the same time his head was near the frame and his glasses were touching the frame. When the electrode contacted the holder, and with is sweaty hands and head, he completed the circuit and was killed.
RIP Paul O.
Weird situation
PS
I have been stung by both a mig and a tig. Like above, in the summer, when I am sweaty.
Paul was welding under a semi trailer doing repairs. He was working in the summer, for the most part properly clothed and safety gear on. He had taken his gloves off to do something and then when done, grabbed a fresh electrode and clamped it up in the holder. At the same time his head was near the frame and his glasses were touching the frame. When the electrode contacted the holder, and with is sweaty hands and head, he completed the circuit and was killed.
RIP Paul O.
Weird situation
PS
I have been stung by both a mig and a tig. Like above, in the summer, when I am sweaty.
Last edited:
Had a friend killed by one. Weird situation:
Paul was welding under a semi trailer doing repairs. He was working in the summer, for the most part properly clothed and safety gear on. He gad taken his gloves off to do something and then when done, grabbed a fresh electrode and clamped it up in the holder. At the same time his head was near the frame and his glasses were touching the frame. When the electrode contacted the holder and with is sweaty hands and head, he completed the circuit and was killed.
RIP Paul O.
Weird situation
This is an example of why schooling is useful prior to welding, there is often much one does not learn by just watching videos and practicing.
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
An old man died around here about 8 or 9 months ago while under a trailer welding on it. Somehow the working clamp got detached and he was laying in water or something. All I know is he isn't here anymore.
It's at least worth being careful with.
It's at least worth being careful with.