Welding equipment

hello all! I am still alive, thanks to my little buddy "Mr.Moto".
It's been 5 yrs now and, other than some minor changes, i feel good.

I have a St. Jude 2210 model pacing at about 10%. I was wondering, is welding ok to do? I am thinking of getting back into my hobbie (rebuilding old trucks) and wanted to get a 110v mig welder. Does anyone have any input on this? How about 220v?

3 Comments

Not sure where he found the posting

by Theknotguy - 2016-01-29 03:01:00

Went to search, typed in Pacemaker Welding, and got a no results found answer. Would really like to see what was said. Anyway.....

PJinSC and I are on the lookout for information regarding EMF, RF, and such as to how it affects pacemakers. PJ works (or worked) in a power plant post PM implant with no problems. I volunteer in a wood shop, run all the power equipment, no problems.
Also volunteer in a hospital and walk past the rooms with the MRI equipment - no problems. (Don't go in the room, just walk past.)

Mostly what PJ and I have found is the pacemaker isn't as sensitive as we are told. I've been able to jump start a car, run an electric chain saw, grab a live 110 volt wire, be within six inches of a live 220 volt line, be around TV tower broadcasts, and other stuff with no problems with the PM. PJ's brother has been able to arc weld with his pacemaker. So a lot of the stuff is just that - warnings.

There have been comments on the forum about people doing MIG, TIG, and arc welding with no problems. You do, however, have to be more careful about the safety stuff. i.e. make sure you're grounded first, make sure connections are secure, that kind of stuff but you should be doing that anyway.

I got taken off the table saw but that wasn't because of the pacemaker, it was because of the heart drugs I have to take. They slow down my reaction time. I had a piece get away from me, didn't react in time and got my thumb pulled into the saw. Small cut to the thumb but major damage to my pride. Didn't even argue. Just went up front and told 'em I was off the saws - permanently. No problem with the pacemaker.

So if you're on heart drugs in addition to the pacemaker I'd suggest you be extra careful. While you may feel OK, the drugs could be slowing your reaction time and that could get you into trouble.

Hope you enjoy going back to your old hobby.

Arc welding

by Sheppey - 2016-01-29 10:01:31

Dear 1977Scout, There is a good message relating to welding etc.... posted in 2009... it has a lot of information regarding all aspects of engineering and welding.
I typed in Pacemaker Welding and this page appeared. I am sure this will answer your concerns?

Welding

by 1977Scout - 2016-01-30 04:01:22

All: thanks for the comments. AS I mentioned, this is just a hobby of mine and i miss it terribly. I am tracking down a nice 110v mig welder to play with. I ain't doing anything "wild", just shade tree mechanic and garage stuff at my house. I told my wife that for the first few times I am in the garage with the welder that she will be in there close by, just in case. My electrophysiologist told me that there should be no problems either, just the normal precautions.

thanks all

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