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When
operating
a welder,
certain
precautions
must be
taken
to prevent
injuries
to yourseff
and others.
Knowing
ha w to use the protective
equipment
to safeguard
against
them is the first step
in learning
to weld.
The effects
of
heat arid:tight
given
off
by the arc, while
electr
€I welding,
may belcompared
to that of the sun's
rays.
Even
greater
precautions
are
necessary
for
electric
arc
welding.
Before
starting
a weld,
caution
anyone
in the
immediate
vicinity
against
looking
at the arc.
In case of
accidental
eye
injury,
contact
a
physician
immediately.
Animals
are also affected
by the rays and should
be kept
at
a safe distance.
To
protect
the
face
and eyes a heat-resisting,
i fiber-glass
he met
s used.
The
special
lens,:i which
alloWs the User to
view
the arc safely,
is inserted
into the framed opening
of
the helmet.
The clear glass, which
should
be replaced
from
time
to
time,
protects
the
expensive
special
lens from
breakage
and weld
spatter.
The
helmet
is held
firmly
in
place on the head
with
an adjustable
head band,
thereby
leaving
both
hands
free. A close-fitting
skull
cap should
be
worn
with
the helmet.
As t.he helmet
is used only
when
actually
welding,
a tilting
arrangement
permits
it to
be
swung
up clear of the face. When
the welding
is resumed
a
slight
nod of the head
tips the helmet
down
over
the face.
To protect
the eyes further
while
cleaning
the weld,
goggles
should
be worn
by the welder
and others
working
around
him.
To
safeguard
the
hands
against
heal
and
weld
spatter,
gauntlet-type
leather
gloves
shou|d
be worn.
A
leather
jacket
or
apron
will
give
better
protection
against
the
shower
of sparks
than
ordinary
clothing.
High
top
shoes
(not oxfords)
should
be worn.
If a great deal of welding
is
to be done,
foundrymen's
shoes are best.
PrecaOtions must also be taken
to protect property and
equipment against fire. A large fire extinguisher should be
within easy reach. The welding area should have a concrete
or cinder floor, kept dry and clear of inflammable
rubbish.
Sometimes, it is{necessary to weld dose to a fuel tank. If
practical;
rem0ve-the
part to be welded.
If not, drain the
tank and comptetelyfil!
it with water,
Few tools, in addition
to those supplied with the welding
machine, are needed and most of them can be found in
the average shop. Two sawhorses supporting
a 1/4-inch
steel plate makes an excellent welding table. A permanent
bench, using the same steel plate, can be made of angle
iron or pipe: A Chipping hammer is used to clean slag off
a weld and pliers will be useful for handling hot metal. A
wire brush is used to clean the work before welding
and
remove small pieces of slag after chipping.
Small pieces of mild-steel scrap
iron, reasonably
free of
rust and paint, should be used for practice welding. Angle
iron, bar stock or plate steel are good examples. Do not
use scrap cast iron, high carbon or hardened steel as these
metals require special electrodes and welding
techniques.
These should be set aside for future
practice after com-
pleting
elementary
practice lessons.
_4
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