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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Dangers of welding around water?
- - By phaux (***) Date 07-06-2011 05:55
We all know welding in the rain or soaked in sweat can be a bit tingly, but what about out on a lake? I have a customer wanting me to enlarge his boat dock. Just wondering what precautions to take, other than common sense, when welding around large bodies of water? I know water by itself is a poor conductor of electricity but if I fall in will I get zapped?
Parent - - By Francisford (**) Date 07-06-2011 16:36
I welded on a few at lake latonka by lawton oklahoma when I was young and needed to make some extra cash.  Its no big deal is you have some sense and dont get drunk and drop your tools in the water.  I dont think I ever got zapped one time.
Parent - By Tommyjoking (****) Date 07-07-2011 00:51 Edited 07-07-2011 00:55
I have stick welded and been well ground many times by standing in water up to my chest.    I have dropped my stinger more then a few times accidentally of course.....  Bungee cords, string or rope...any rigging you can do to prevent that stinger from contact/immersion is worth the effort.  I am still here but I guarantee you will know when you do it.....suddenly it will feel like your legs went to sleep.  I have never done it with anything real high amperage like barge welders do.   I nice set of bib waders is not a bad idea!!!!!!!!  ALSO if you have any bare spots on your leads you will not enjoy it...electrical tape will not work.
Parent - By NWPAwelder (**) Date 07-10-2011 13:58
"Its no big deal is you have some sense and dont get drunk and drop your tools in the water."

I couldn't help but laugh at this comment but so true! I guess it would be a good idea to take a helper along to hold your beer!
Parent - - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 07-10-2011 14:25 Edited 07-10-2011 21:51
Dont drop your tools and you are OK. Here is a pic of a job we did over the water in Galveston. Sometimes you get a little wet. but, No big deal
Parent - - By rcwelding (***) Date 07-10-2011 15:08
That looks like the bolivar ferry landing..

  RC
Parent - - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 07-10-2011 19:43
It is. We rebuilt the Wing Walls and Landings on Both Sides
Parent - - By rcwelding (***) Date 07-10-2011 20:32
Man that would have been a rough job..!!! Weld all day fish all night..!! lol

I don't get down to the salt water near as often as I would like but man I love it when I get there.. In October, November you can catch some big old Red drums over there just up from those landings about a mile..!! :cool:
Parent - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 07-10-2011 21:35
We caught them ON the landings and on the Jettie beside the landings
Parent - - By rcwelding (***) Date 07-11-2011 01:15 Edited 07-12-2011 03:40
I have GFI cords that I use all the time but especially in wet conditions .. They are pretty sensitive.. I have had them trip when things just get too damp.. I would rather deal with that then get fried while working..

The stinger on the other hand, you got to watch that booger..!! It will bite you in wet conditions..LOL

RC
Parent - - By Tommyjoking (****) Date 07-11-2011 23:29
Oh yea   Rubber surgical gloves or diswashing gloves under your welding gloves helps a lot.
Parent - - By rcwelding (***) Date 07-12-2011 03:39
Never heard of using rubber gloves under your welders gloves.. Man I bet you hands would sweat like crazy..!!!

RC
Parent - By Nitesky (**) Date 07-12-2011 12:30
Rubber gloves under you welding gloves are a lifesaver in the potash mines of western Canada.  Gloves wet with potash slurry conduct electricity REALLY well.  Picture changing carbons on your air arc.  Lights up your world :eek:
Parent - - By Northweldor (***) Date 07-12-2011 17:17
rcwelding:

Flock -lined dish-washing gloves in large sizes aren't too bad, but ordinary disposable gloves are super sweaty.
Parent - - By Tommyjoking (****) Date 07-12-2011 23:43
I think it was Ted who gave me the rubber glove tip....it makes a big diff when everything is wet.  A piece of styrofoam is nice to have too...you can stick your rods in it then pick them up with the stinger if your gloves are too "moist"....course you can go farm code and just jam them in the mud bank and do the same thing as well.:surprised:   I just try to tie my stinger off if possible where it cannot hit the water and keep the ground close to my work.  Still have not made me a mud board yet, need to ask a friend of mine about making a lightweight fiberglass one that could still hold up my fat but.
Parent - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 07-13-2011 03:40
If You use a light core material, the board will be light, stiff and strong. Insulation foam, extruded plloystyrene or pollyurethane will work, but isn't real strong. do not use expanded pollystyrene [white bead board]. The best really light core is plastic honeycomb. Pollyurethane fome [Airex] is strong, and tough, end grain balsa [Baltek] is strongest & toughest.
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Dangers of welding around water?

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