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Welders beware!! Read this......!!

Ron H said:
Felt like sand was in your eyes? I had that happen but a mild version by comparison. Absolute bitch getting over it.
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That "sand in your eyes" is actually small blisters on the surface of your eye from the UV rays omitted from the arc. Very important to use glass or plastic on your eyes to stop it. It's not the brightness that does this as much as the rays that enter your eye.

I've done it myself and have seen others do this, turn your head away from the arc when tacking or when someone else is welding. What can happen is the UV rays will bounce off the inside of your glasses and hit you right in the eye. Watch doing this.

Your unprotected skin can take a hit too. Blue jeans won't stop UVs at close range. Leather is normally the best. Be safe!
 
82 people have replied to this thread so far. I hope that at least 82 people are still healthy because of it. So many more have read it and they will be helped as well...safety first guys...
 
451Mopar said:
Not sure if it was from the welding, but had to have some Basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) removed from my face near my right ear. I had previously gotten exposure burns mostly on my neck when welding overhead. I bought a Steiner 11303 Cape Hood. It looks a but odd, but works good, and is alot lighter than a leather hood. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GKNHTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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They claim that each time your skin gets burned it raises your risk. They're normally talking about sun burn. Welding UVs are highly concentrated, much more than the sun. Tig welding and heliarc normally has the highest concentration of UV.
 
Why I shudder everytime I see these rebuild shows welding bare armed, in shorts, etc. First, I can't figure out how they do it without being "sunburned" as anything I don't cover when welding makes me look like I laid out on a beach for a full day and second the long term effects = skin cancer. I gave myself "arc eyes" when I was 15 years old welding up a buddies dune buggy frame. I left it to him to hook the arc welder up behind his mothers stove and I couldn't keep an arc going. Mask up.. mask down.. mask up and then I went and checked to see that he'd hooked to 120 and not 240. Hooked up properly and finished welding. Went home, told my Mother my eyes were sore and going to bed. Woke up, thought it was the middle of the night and turned on my light switch.. still dark! Blind for a day and a half. Needless to say I don't screw around when welding these days.
 
Auto darkening helmets are a god sent. I still have a hand held face shield some where. Dont know why.
 
mopar 3 B said:
Auto darkening helmets are a god sent. I still have a hand held face shield some where. Dont know why.
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Don't do what I did once. Decided to put my solar powered auto helmet in a cabinet. Got it out a month later, put it on, struck an arc and about blinded myself. You can't store them in the dark if you want the battery to stay charged!
 
My auto helmet died just recently after 10 years. I'm told that's not a bad run for one but I always checked to make sure it was working before striking up an arc by going outside and looking up at the sky. If it didn't, I'd look towards the sun but not at it to make sure it was working or not. And for these shows where no one seems to wear safety gear....how do they get by without someone getting hurt?? Doesn't take much to lose an eye by running a milling machine or a lathe without safety glasses! I'm thinking they are just there in someone's shop and the show isn't making the rules.
 
khryslerkid said:
Don't do what I did once. Decided to put my solar powered auto helmet in a cabinet. Got it out a month later, put it on, struck an arc and about blinded myself. You can't store them in the dark if you want the battery to stay charged!
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Never thought about it. It has been always stored in the box and bag it came in and have never had any problems. Not sure if its battery powered or solar but will be checking before it gets used again. Thanks for the heads up.
 
I was never a good welder,always had friends could lay a sweet bead! So they always do that:thumbsup: stuff for me.

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HEMI-ITIS said:
I was never a good welder,
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I too was never a "good" welder. I always marveled at the craft and have learned over my 50+ years that some just have a knack-- like an artist.
I have passed dozens of "certification" tests. -Tig,mig,stic,-etc. On steel,alum, stainless,monel,titanium,copper (as jobs required). And I still don't think of myself as being a "good welder"--I passed tests and made -passing welds-:)

I also have been burnt many times in many ways when starting out. All of them needless because at that time being burnt was just funny for some that I listened to. The clouds of smoke that entered my welding hood was just something I had to hold my breath about.:eek:
 
ws23jrt said:
I too was never a "good" welder. I always marveled at the craft and have learned over my 50+ years that some just have a knack-- like an artist.
I have passed dozens of "certification" tests. -Tig,mig,stic,-etc. On steel,alum, stainless,monel,titanium,copper (as jobs required). And I still don't think of myself as being a "good welder"--I passed tests and made -passing welds-:)

I also have been burnt many times in many ways when starting out. All of them needless because at that time being burnt was just funny for some that I listened to. The clouds of smoke that entered my welding hood was just something I had to hold my breath about.:eek:
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Well....if you passed all of those cert tests, then you must not beeez all too bad!! I've done mostly stick, mig and very little tig but there have been some times where my welds actually surprised me lol.
 
Cranky said:
Well....if you passed all of those cert tests, then you must not beeez all too bad!! I've done mostly stick, mig and very little tig but there have been some times where my welds actually surprised me lol.
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Some of us just luck out with having strong (self-healing) lung function. That's all I can come up with.
Had my entire working career been as a welder I may not be typing now.

BTW--In my early days of employment, I used to sew -on a large sewing machine-Insulating blankets made of pure asbestos. I recall the -puffing like- cloud that happened in the sewing process. (this was in the early seventies).

I am not attempting to make a point about hazards being overblown. They (for the most part) are not.- Disregarding warnings is a foolish gamble at best.

BTW -In the late eighties I painted my C500 in my garage basement. I made an envelope of plastic sheeting and used a household box fan for exhaust. My material was two-part PPG stuff. I had a close-fitting cartridge respirator. All was good.

As I finished and was exiting the enclosure I took my respirator off. One breath of the fumes literally dropped me to the floor. I crawled away and went upstairs to check on the pets.--I felt a fear that day that I will not forget.
 
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ws23jrt said:
Some of us just luck out with having strong (self-healing) lung function. That's all I can come up with.
Had my entire working career been as a welder I may not be typing now.

BTW--In my early days of employment, I used to sew -on a large sewing machine-Insulating blankets made of pure asbestos. I recall the -puffing like- cloud that happened in the sewing process. (this was in the early seventies).

I am not attempting to make a point about hazards being overblown. They (for the most part) are not.- Disregarding warnings is a foolish gamble at best.
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Oh man, I was installing asbestos siding when I was 14 and after working in a steel mill and a refinery for over 30 years and doing welding, smoking pot, cigars and BBQ like crazy, I'm surprised my lungs ain't toast. My allergies to dust and pollen are still getting worse and worse and I'm already collecting on the asbestos claim crap even though they say my lungs are "like a fairly nice paint job with a few scratches....." Uh....geez.
 
Sorry for rambling on a bit in this thread. But protecting oneself from the --light-- of the welding process is small --IMO-- compared to the gasses/fumes that will come when welding.

When one strikes an arc on --dirty/unknown- stuff -the cloud- of smoke can be much more evil than all that is to be expected from the process intended.

Properly cleaning and prepping all weld joints -before welding- is -THE KEY- to good welding satisfaction.
Messy/getter done is just that. Stinky from all viewpoints.
 
Cranky said:
I'm already collecting on the asbestos claim crap
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I see adds from "lawyers" broadcast on free TV --constantly seeking folks like you and me --to jump into the current swimming pool seeking "$$"

I am 67--I smoke cigs. My lung function is clean (from my doctor's perspective).
I am very aware of the options to jump into the pool for a financial grab. I feel sick just thinking about it.

What I would have to endure is a gauntlet of lies on my part just to join that party.--I WILL NOT DO THAT.

I will --however- testify to the truth of my life and history if asked to do so.
Let the millions of trials begin.
 
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