Thawing frozen pipes with a welder

[2010OWNER]

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.

[Dave T]

I think my Lincoln manual has a section on using it to thaw pipes, I will check and see if I can find the manual. A word of warning; you should never talk about not having frozen pipes in the winter.

[digitup2]

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.

[OneWelder]

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

[digitup2]

Also if you have a plastic repair or tee off with a plastic tee of any kind on the steel line you are doomed for failure as well I should add .Digitup.