New to welding, with a problem that is concerning me

[Mizo]

Hi,

I'm absolutely new to welding and have never welded before. I'm in the process of putting my truck together with a custom exhaust, and doing fab work... Guess what that calls for?

WELDING!

But, my concern... A little under 2 years ago (Jan. 6, to be exact). I was shot. I now have a bullet, and fragments of said bullet within my body... worst part is, that it's in my neck. Which is kinda important.

Anyways, the bullet is copper, with lead. I plan to MIG weld, and I'm not sure if this poses a threat to my ability to weld or not. Does anyone on here have metal in their body? if so, have you ever had problems with it? I'm sure it's not copper or lead... But any help, or reassurance is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[AdrianH]

Hi MIzo, welcome to the forum, hope you find it helpful. Not sure if anyone here can help on the metal fragments or not but the main safety concerns of welding are due to the heat involved, high levels of Ultra Violet light that can be produced due to the arc and the dangers of breathing in toxic gases from the welding process. I use a British site for information and can be found here:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/

Most of the fume hazards would be associated with Stick welding or MMA, welding your exhaust up I am guessing you will be using TIG which uses Argon, generally get some form of fume extraction.

Personally, I would not expect the welding process to effect the metal fragments any more then normal activities. The magnetic fields are not that strong. I have never had credit cards wiped because of the magnetic fields or damaged any electronics with it, so the chance of any magnetism caused by welding moving a fragment very small. But I could never give you any more assurances then my personnel beliefs.

Enjoy yourself

Adrian

 

[Mizo]

Personally, I would not expect the welding process to effect the metal fragments any more then normal activities. The magnetic fields are not that strong. I have never had credit cards wiped because of the magnetic fields or damaged any electronics with it, so the chance of any magnetism caused by welding moving a fragment very small. But I could never give you any more assurances then my personnel beliefs.

Hi Adrian,

It's not the magnetic field thing that bothers me. It's more of the electricity. I'm afraid that it might shock me while working on things, and could cause harm to myself. I don't know if that's a problem or not. I don't know if it's one of those things that as long as I wear the proper safety stuff (Gloves, apron, sleeves, thick sole boots, etc), I'm fine or not.

Thanks. The magnetic thing doesn't bug me. I have put a magnet to the bullet to see what it does, and no results. I don't feel any tugging at all.

 

[AdrianH]

There may be guys or gals with things like titanium pins etc in their bones, from breakages that can provide an answer, but again I can not see the electricity causing any ill effects. The typical DC or AC levels from Mig, TIG or arc welding are less then 100 Volts. But yes were the correct gear appropriate to the type of welding you are doing.

Still can not see an issue that would stop you having a go at welding. Have you tried to speak with your doctor, or contacted any Forces medical facilities as they would have possibly the best advice on the matter?

Adrian

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Hi Adrian,

It's not the magnetic field thing that bothers me. It's more of the electricity. I'm afraid that it might shock me while working on things, and could cause harm to myself. I don't know if that's a problem or not. I don't know if it's one of those things that as long as I wear the proper safety stuff (Gloves, apron, sleeves, thick sole boots, etc), I'm fine or not.

Thanks. The magnetic thing doesn't bug me. I have put a magnet to the bullet to see what it does, and no results. I don't feel any tugging at all.

You will have no increased chance of shock by having metal in your body, its effectively insulated from the current by your body and also insulated from earth again by your body.
Any current you accidentally receive would flow through your body to earth in exactly the same way as anyone else's.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Reading back by reply I feel I need to clarify it a bit better as the human body is not an insulator, a better word would be resistance so if you accidentally received an electric shock the current would flow through the path of least resistance, either to earth or to complete the circuit. Having metal in your body would not decrease the resistance of that path unless it was it directly in the path and only by a negligible amount.
Carry on welding.

 

[Mizo]

Wendelspanswick, That is exactly what I was wanting to know! It's not anywhere close to my feet, or hand (if I were to use it as a prop on the ground), nor would I ever have my neck resting on a part I was welding.

Thank you a lot for that input, it assures me a lot better that I will be fine.

Adrian,

I have gone to my Doc, and he said that he found no problem with me welding. I just wanted to check and see other people's inputs who do weld, to further assure what he said.

 

[Pete.]

My dad had a huge titanium rod in his arm, didn't bother him in the slightest and he would mostly weld outside in the damp.

 

[mike os]

I have bits of metal in one foot, both legs, one **** cheek and 1 hand... most are aluminium, some copper & probably steel..... not had a problem with welding in over 35 years...MRI scans ar another issue altogether though

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have titanium screws pins and plates in my left hand, which I use to steady the mig torch or stick welding electrode. no risk of shock at all

 

[JayRS4]

I've got a titanium artificial hip, platinum stent, and various other bits that have been more accidentally imbedded. None of these cause me any of the problems you are worried about

 

[Mizo]

Thank you ALL for your input. This all will lay my worries to rest, now that I see a lot of people have the same problems.

THANK YOU!

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I have some plates and screws in my jaw. I have given myself the usual accidental jolt from tig welding with no ill effects. You will be fine, just dont knock the torch button when changing tungstens