Welding Tips and Tricks

At work we have an older transformer Hobart Tigwave 250 that is giving me some grief. It seems to shock me from time to time when im running it on a/c current. I'm not sure exactly where to start looking for my problem. We have a very nice all cast 8'x8' weldsale table and we typically just ground the whole table, however, I have tried to ground just the workpiece and seem to still get the shock. This shock happens through a BSX cloth welding jacket and stallion tig gloves. It happens when I go to dip my filler into the puddle.

Any suggestions on where to start tracking this problem would be appreciated.

Welcome!

Which hand gets the shock? You said it happens when you add filler to the puddle, so I'm guessing it's your rod-feed hand?

You're probably getting the rod into the arc path before you hit the puddle with it. That will shock you every time. Try sliding the rod against the material as you push it to the puddle. You should only be touching the leading edge of the puddle with the rod.

Steve S

Yes it is the rod feed hand. I'll try that method of sliding it against the material on its way in next time I'm back in the machine shop laying beads. Just thinking out loud, but isn't there some possibility for the rod to stick to the material though if it touches just the right part of the material outside of the puddle? Or is that mainly an issue with steels on dc, and not such a problem with aluminum on a/c? Also thinking out loud, this is mainly when I'm tacking pieces or beginning my beads, and if i can muscle through it and start moving I usually do ok from there on out but not always.

Jumbafri,

Try establishing the arc first and then adding rod. If I'm not paying attention when I light up and have the rod too close, I'll get zapped too!

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The "sliding" thing is not the best solution, but it will tell you if this is the problem. You should be dabbing at the front edge of the puddle, and not get shocked.

If the sliding idea solves your problem, you may need to see your eye doctor... You may be misjudging your insertion point when adding rod.

Steve S

Otto Nobedder wrote:The "sliding" thing is not the best solution, but it will tell you if this is the problem. You should be dabbing at the front edge of the puddle, and not get shocked.

If the sliding idea solves your problem, you may need to see your eye doctor... You may be misjudging your insertion point when adding rod.

Steve S

Can't resist...

Hate when I mis judge the insertion point

You know you can sprinkle baking powder on it. That way when the puddle gets wet you know where the rod goes.

I wonder how much the arc wander from this machine may be contributing to it... Its not so bad under 100 amps, but running closer to 200 amps it gets me just about every time, until I get moving along. I'm out on a business trip currently, so ill try a few things when I get back.

Thanks for the advice fellas.

I wonder if this is a hf issue?

Coldman wrote:I wonder if this is a hf issue?

Good question.

Arc focus should improve with increased amps.

Steve S

Coldman wrote:I wonder if this is a hf issue?

First welder I learned to tig weld with had a high frequency box on it. When doing aluminum it worked better if it was on all the time. I found I was getting shocked all the time. My issue was with the ground cable. If its not getting good ground the high frequency will find a path through the fill rod, hand, arm and to ground. Check all the connections on your cable to start.