Has anyone used a welder to thaw pipes? I've heard of it, but never found any details.
I don't have any frozen pipes, but was wondering how to go about using my portable Lincoln welder to thaw them.
Thanks,
B.
Thawing frozen pipes with a welder
Thawing frozen pipes with a welder
'63 2010 Dozer, '44 Model B Tractor,'65 2010 Tractor, '55 40c crawler, '77 2240 Orchard Tractor.
My Dad did this many times for customers .You need steel pipes as plastic doesn't conduct electricity worth a darn two large vice grips and one long welding cable get your Lincoln welder close to one end and only run the welder for two minutes at a time . After several cycles of shock therapy your water should be flowing .Keep others away from all water related items including the kitchen sink and bath tub as you may get some stray voltage Unless you have just taken out a large insurance policy on the better half ,Digitup.
Digitup has covered it , but I might add most welder man. discourage this then try to sell a kit to do it.
Use low amperage , realize that if copper pipes get hot the solder may melt - also if you do it and the pipes are burst the customer will blame you
My experience with welders that have done this type of work is that some of them tend to lose the fine adj.
Years ago during I had a truck setup with a an old brute of a welder . I ran a separate heater from welder and a near by city would hire any body with a 400 + welder to keep the pipes from freezing that crossed the canal during extreme cold snaps
There would be several trucks together and you stayed there 24 hrs a day till weather broke- was easy and good money
Use low amperage , realize that if copper pipes get hot the solder may melt - also if you do it and the pipes are burst the customer will blame you
My experience with welders that have done this type of work is that some of them tend to lose the fine adj.
Years ago during I had a truck setup with a an old brute of a welder . I ran a separate heater from welder and a near by city would hire any body with a 400 + welder to keep the pipes from freezing that crossed the canal during extreme cold snaps
There would be several trucks together and you stayed there 24 hrs a day till weather broke- was easy and good money
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 78 guests