We recently received a call from a customer that wanted to know if there were any limitations to welding for individuals with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.  I had never thought about it before and I didn’t know the answer.  I decided to research it and share my findings with all of our readers and customers here on the blog.  Since this is an important issue that affects many men and women, we thought we’d post this blog both here and on the Carmen Electrode blog.

Conclusion and Disclaimer

Since this is a very serious medical issue and we are not very serious medical people, we will post the most important conclusion of this blog post right up front: consult your doctor!  Only your heart doctor can tell you what activities are dangerous, and how you should handle them.  Welding is an activity that is considered dangerous, so read up on the resources we provide below, do your own research, and most importantly, call your doc!  We provide resources and information that we’ve found in our research, but this is no replacement for your doctor’s expertise.  They didn’t spend years in medical school for nothing.

Electromagnetic Energy

The primary concern when welding with a pacemaker or defibrillator is the high electromagnetic (EM) energy created by the welding machine.  This electromagnetic energy can cause your pacemaker to continuously pace the heart, which can cause an irregular heart rate if your heart is already beating fine on its own.  On the other hand, the spike in EM energy when spot welding or starting a bead can cause a pacemaker to pause temporarily if it were pacing your heart.  Both of these situations are not good.  Implanted defibrillators could detect the EM energy from the welder as a fast heart rhythm, causing it to deliver shock (yikes!).

Interestingly, according to medtronic, the electromagnetic field created by a welding machine won’t cause any permanent damage or re-programming to your pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.  The primary concern is how these devices behave in the presence of the intense electromagnetic energy.  Any potential effects will end when the welding is stopped or turned off.

Another point to note is that Oxy-Fuel welding does not create an electromagnetic field, so it is safe to use with an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.

How Can I Reduce The Risk?

Here’s a good list of precautions that we found from Medtronic:

• Limit welding current to less than 120 amps
• Work in a dry area with dry gloves and shoes
• Maintain a 2 foot distance between the welding arc and the heart device
• Keep the welding cables close together (twist them together if possible) and as far away as possible from your heart device
• Place the welding machine as far away as possible, and at least 5 feet away from your work area
• Wait several seconds between attempts when having difficulty starting a weld (don’t rapidly pulse the welder)
• Work in an area that offers firm footing and plenty of room for movement
• Work with an informed person that understands what you’re dealing with
• Immediately stop welding and step away from the area if you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or you believe your implantable defibrillator has delivered a shock

Resources

AWS

Medtronic

American Heart Association

Pacemaker Club discussion on the topic

Joe Welder tells you about some exciting things happening at Arc-Zone.com, and why it’s good to be Joe.  Here’s a sneak peak:

Reason 1: Joe just got a bunch of new toys from Miller to play with

Reason 2: Arc-Zone HQ is expanding

Reason 3: The Arc-Zone family is expanding too

Head on over here to check it out.

I was watching American Chopper with my wife last night and when they did a close up of Rick Petko TIG welding a custom gas tank together, my wife said, “He is using a Crafter Series TIG torch!”

That brought back memories of 1994 when we were dating and I was the Regional Sales Manager for Weldcraft, the world’s leading TIG torch manufacturer.  I was living in the western suburbs of Chicago, Saint Charles, IL to be exact.  I had a nice 1,000 Sq Ft fab shop behind my ranch house.

That shop is where I tinkered with an idea to solve a major problem with the TIG torches on the market at that time.  There was not a torch on the market that was ready to go right out of the box, with nozzle, tungsten, connectors and all.  I also added a flat side on the handle so that the welder can know which direction the torch is facing without lifting his helmet.  I built the first prototypes of what became the Crafter Series TIG torch, complete with the silicone rubber test molds, handle mock ups, etc.

I was working with long time racing buddy and good friend, John Dimock, the Southwest Sales Manager for Weldcraft.  We were getting ready for that AWS (American Welding Society) trade show in Chicago. Our sister company at the time was Bernard Welding Equipment located in the South suburbs, so it was important and all the Executives would be at the show.  Based on my travels to distributors all over the world, it became clear that there was a need for a high-performance TIG torch that was easy to sell and more than a copy of a 30-year-old design.  Besides the prototype sample torches, we put together a complete marketing proposal and sales plan.  We assembled all of the executives in one room and laid out the prototype and marketing plan to them.  I was surprised when the response was, “How much do you need and when can we get it done?”

That was the beginning of the Crafter Series line – the next generation of high-performance water-cooled TIG torches, and one of the best-selling premium TIG torches of all time.  Since that time, the concept has been copied by WeldTec and branded as a “Speedway” series, and of course there is no shortage of “import” TIG torches that are branded with a variety of names on them, but all share the same reverse-engineered components from a generation ago.

Times change and that leads me to today.  Arc-Zone welcomed Josh Sprinkle, the Weldcraft regional Sales Manager.  He stopped by the Zone today to share with us the next step forward in TIG torch design and performance from Weldcraft.

The WP-280 is a re-engineered version of the world’s most popular TIG torch model.  This torch rocks, it has an integral Super Cool™ water chamber built into the head, an improved cable and hose design with ColorSmart™ identification, and the hoses easily connect to the TIG torch body with screw-on hose nipples.  No more stainless steel wire ties!  Lastly, the new WP-280 series has a compact and friendly handle with just the right feel to it, and for those of us who value a small, comfortable and powerful TIG torch, the new Weldcraft WP-280 fits the bill.  I have one on my machine and I love it!

This is what the Crafter Series concept was all about, a TIG torch that was created in the engineering department by electrical and mechanical engineers, tested in the lab, and field tested by some of the top fabricators in the metal working industry.  Stay tuned, in a few days I’ll post an interview we did with Josh from Weldcraft that gives the scoop on this cool new torch.  Meanwhile, check it out for yourself right here in our store.

Here’s a spec sheet of the WP-280 from Weldcraft.

When you call Arc-Zone.com customer service, one of the friendly voices you may reach on the other end of the line is Joanie Butler. Joanie is an Arc-Zone employee that has an extensive welding background, and does some really amazing things with her metal fab talents, including fabulous artwork.  She also consults on the type of content we feature on the Carmen Electrode blog.  We think Joanie is an inspiration to female fabricators, and and you’ll love her too.

Click here to read more about Joanie and how she uses welding and a passion for the ocean to create beauty out of metal scraps.

Whether you’re new to TIG Welding, or a master fabricator, the myriad adapters, connectors and couplers on the market can be overwhelming.  To complicate matters further, over the years manufacturers changed the design of their welding machines, taking advantage of inverter technology and streamlining the options.  There are many different styles of machines in the field today; these tips will make hooking up your TIG/GTAW torch to any machine easy.  We provided links to product pages as well if you find a connector that sounds familiar.

1. Know Your Welding Machine

To properly hook up your TIG torch to your welding machine, the first thing you need to know is what kind of connection your machine supports.  With older power supplies the TIG torch bolts onto the machine via a threaded stud terminal on the front panel of the power supply.  Newer welding machines make use of an international style Dinse connector which is a twist-locking quick disconnect system.  There are two sizes of Dinse connectors:  small, which the pin size is 3/8″ (9.5mm) in diameter, or the more common large Dinse connector with a pin size of 1/2″ (12.7mm) in diameter.  Some machines allow for a Gas Through Dinse connection, whereby your torch’s shield gas supply flows through the Dinse connector, eliminating the need for an additional gas connection.  The gas flows from your tank and flowmeter/regulator through the machine to the connector and into the torch.  Some power supplies use a Tweco type (also called American style) split pin connector that also twists and locks into place.

The newest twist on machine connections is happening with the increasing prevalence of import machines using a quick-disconnect for gas and water connections.  And some cases, the female receptacle on the Dinse plug may be slightly shorter than the industry standard, and you may need to trim off a portion of the male pin on the Dinse connector.

Consult your welding machine manual to know which connector type you have.  Or, if you no longer have your manual, contact the manufacturer directly and have ready your machine’s model and serial number.

2. Know Your TIG Torch

Different TIG torches have different TIG torch adapter connections at the machine end.  A water cooled TIG torch has a 7/8” x 14 left-hand threaded male fitting on the end of the power/water return line.  Generally an air-cooled TIG torch rated 200 amps or above has a 7/8” x 14 right-hand threaded male fitting and an air-cooled torch rated 150 amps or below has a 3/8” x 24 right-hand threaded male fitting on the end.  Some specialty torches like the CK TrimLine series use a “B” size 5/8” x 18 right-hand thread. While these fittings may look like parts you can buy at your local hardware store, they are unique to the welding industry and available through welding suppliers only.

3. Standardize Your Connections

Upgrade your machine(s) to accept a Dinse style connector to make switching from one torch to another easy.  For a large corporation, this means you can standardize your connections and run different applications at different times, or accommodate different shifts, removing and storing torches to protect them from theft or damage.  Even a small fabrication shop will want to be able to use different torches on the same welding machine.  With the Dinse connectors you don’t need tools to change your torch, and all your torches will connect the same way.  Also, the connection is insulated with a rubber or plastic boot.

If you have an older style welding machine with the threaded stud, you can buy a stud-to-Dinse female converter to upgrade your machine’s stud connection.  A machine with a Tweco style connection can also be converted to accept a Dinse style plug with an adapter that mounts onto the machine as well.

4. Use Quick Release Gas And Water Hose Couplers

Standard gas and water hoses require the use of a wrench to tighten the mechanical connection.  If you’re in the field or in the shop and need to change torches frequently, this can be cumbersome.  Like the Dinse connectors, quick-release hose couplers are available and allow you to change torches without tools.  These quick-release couplers thread onto the male fitting at the end of your gas and water hoses then mate to a corresponding female adapter that is mounted on your water cooler or gas connection.  They are similar to air line quick release couplers, and connect by twisting and locking into place.

Heavy-duty gas hose couplers are also available for just a couple dollars more and are a better choice for welding in the field.

If you’re not sure what type of adapter you need, give Arc-Zone.com a call toll free, 800-944-2243 (US) or 1-760-931-1500 (worldwide).  We have welding experts on staff that can help you find what you’re looking for!

ATTENTION WELDERS:

We would like to announce that Joe Welder and Carmen Electrode are back, energized, excited and ready to blog. Due to some staffing changes and record sales at our welding supply store, Arc-Zone.com, we have really lagged over the last few months on updating the blog for all of you readers.

But Joe Welder and Carmen Electrode are back and ready to rock it with a weekly blog post that contains interesting and helpful info for all you welders out there. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come:

JOE WELDER

• How-to articles
• Stories from Jim Watson aka Joe Welder
• The Ask Joe column
• Unique welding applications
• Welding events

CARMEN ELECTRODE

• New Rosies – profiles of women in metal fabrication
• Metal fabrication industry news
• Favorite product highlights
• Welding education

So what do you think? Is there anything you want to see covered in the blog? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

One of the core values of Arc-Zone.com is to focus on Continuous Improvement, a concept I first learned about when I worked for Weldcraft and had the opportunity to take business courses from W. Edwards Deming. If you’re not familiar with Deming, he is the expert in quality control who was instrumental in reviving Japanese manufacturing after World War II and developing the Total Quality Management movement.  I was even fortunate to meet him personally.

I try to apply this ideal of continuous improvement in all aspects of my life and I’m always open to learning new things.  So when the opportunity to take a workshop with master fabricator Ron Covell came along, I jumped on it!

The workshop took place at Hot Rods & Custom Stuff, a So Cal hot rod shop in Escondido, California not too far from the Arc-Zone.com headquarters.  They were working on a project dubbed “Mercedes-Bent,” a mashup between a classic 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL roadster and a 2004 Mercedes SL600. The result was showcased at SEMA, and you can check out the pictures here:

http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/mercedes-bent.html

Ron is one of the best in the custom automotive industry with expertise in everything from TIG Welding to hammerforming.  He’s worked on some of most bitchin’ hot rods and dragsters, and writes a regular column for Street Rodder magazine.  Needless to say, I picked up quite a few tips for myself.

Need A Wheel?

Do you need a new wheel for your tungsten electrode grinder?
Find out how to tell when your tungsten grinding wheel is ready to be replaced over at JoeWelder.com.

And when you’re read to replace your tungsten grinding wheel, check out the top quality replacement diamond grinding wheels over at Arc-Zone.com– whether you have a Sharpie, Triad, Power Point, Turbo Sharp,Turbo-4, a Piranha, Neutra, Ultima TIG, Turbo Ace, Neutrix, DGP, or Sharpshooter tungsten electrode sharpener…  we’ve got your wheel in stock and ready to ship!

LA Times Scooped!

Did you know our editor scooped the LA Times, the New York Times and the Huffington post… you can read a brief article about the passing of Geraldine Doyle, the image of Rosie the Riveter, over at CarmenElectrode.com.

Happy Holidays!  The end of the year is always a good time to take stock, and I don’t mean inventory!  (although that is on the list for the year’s end).  I like to take time to look back on what we’ve accomplished over the past year and give thanks to those who’ve helped us.

This past year has also seen an expansion of our webstore offerings.  This is in part thanks to you, our customers, for telling us what you need for your welding application.  We’ve added the Miller Safety line of products, from the new WeldX High Temperature Welding Safety apparel to Miller Welding Helmets and Respiratory Safety and Heat Stress safety equipment.

One of my favorite new products is the BSX GearPack/ Helmet Bag.  I wrote it about in the last email, but just a reminder–  it would make an excellent gift for yourself or any welder in your life!  It’s a great way to store and carry your equipment from the shop to the field. And this bag is rugged, well made and looks stylish.

Our line-up of TIG / GTAW torches has been ramped up as well.  Now alongside the Weldcraft torches, we’ve added the complete line of CK TIG Torches and replacement parts. Now you can get the two most popular TIG brands with unparalleled service and technical support. No one on the planet has more product on the shelf, and the industry experts that can help you TIG like a Pro!

We’ve also expanded our MIG / GMAW offerings, including MIG Guns and replacement parts and Automatic and Semi-Automatic Nozzle Cleaning Stations.

And when you need to connect all this equipment to your current set up, be sure to check out the Connectors section.  From argon couplers to color-coded cable-to-cable connectors, we’ll hook you up!

In October we launched our Diamond Grinding Wheel Core Exchange program. If you missed the story in our October e-newsletter you can read about the challenges in bringing this all together right here at WeldLikeAPro.com (where we archive all our newsletters). We’re now offering top quality, made-in-the-USA replacement diamond grinding wheels for nearly every tungsten grinding machine on the market. And the best part? Your used wheel may qualify for our Core Exchange Program. In other words, your spent wheel could be worth cold hard cash.

Anyone that knows me knows how much I love this industry. I’ve always said that the welding industry is a good business to be in because no matter what is happening in the world economy, you can find somone that needs something fabricated. We have had another record-breaking year, and we look forward to 2011 and we wish you all the same.

Best Regards,

Jim Watson, President & CEO
Arc-Zone.com, Inc. (R)

At Arc-Zone, we know a lot about our wheels…  and we learned the hard way!  Not too long ago we thought we found an opportunity to introduce a low-impact, recyclable replacement diamond grinding wheel for our comprehensive line of tungsten grinding machines.  We found a local (US) manufacturer, and thought we were in business!

WeldX: Safe, Comfortable and Extreme Flame Resistant Welding Apparel– NEW from Miller

The newest product from Miller Safety is now available at Arc-Zone.com.  The WeldX line includes a classic black jacket, cape sleeves, welder sleeves, a bib and apron, all in a lightweight yet rugged material desiged to perform in the toughest welding environments.

COMING SOON TO ARC-ZONE ONLINE

Welding for the Navy and for Future Rosies

ArcTime™ Hybrid Tungsten Electrodes

We keep hearing from more and more fabricators about how great our ArcTime™  tungsten is–  one customer even scored a free sample from one of our competitors and ran some tests– head to head.  Ramon over at Headway Performance said the ArcTime delivered a better weld– hands down!  And while we don’t give out free samples, we do offer a Money Back Gurantee backed by our industry-leading No Hassle Return Policy.  So if you’re looking for a long-lasting tungsten electrode with excellent ignition properties and low burn-off rates, order your ArcTime today!