InFOrMaTIOn. Harbor Freight Tools 98233, 165 Amp_DC, 240 Volt, Inverter TIG/Stick Welder with High Frequency Start

Save ThIS Manual

Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the back of the manual near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number). Keep this manual and the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference.

IMpOrTanT SaFeTY

InFOrMaTIOn

In this manual, on the labeling, and all other information provided with this product:

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

nOTIce is used to address practices not related to personal injury.

cauTIOn, without the safety alert symbol, is used to address practices not related to personal injury.

danGer indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

warnInG indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

cauTIOn, used with the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

SKU 98233

General power Tool Safety warnings

warnInG read all safety warnings and instructions.

Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.

The term ″power tool″ in the warnings refers to your mainsoperated (corded) power tool.

1. work area safety a. keep work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.

b. do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids,

gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

c. keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

2. electrical safety a. power tool plugs must match the outlet. never modify the plug in any way. do not use any adapter

plugs with grounded power tools.

For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 3

Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.

b. avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators,

ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded.

c. do not expose power tools to rain

or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

d. do not abuse the cord. never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp

edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.

e. when operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suit-

able for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.

f. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a

Ground Fault circuit Interrupter

(GFcI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

3. personal safety a. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs,

alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.

b. use safety equipment. Always wear ANSI-approved safety glasses and arc shaded, impact safety full

SKU 98233 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. face shield. Safety equipment such as NIOSH-approved respirator, heavy-duty work gloves, non-skid safety shoes, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.

c. prevent unintentional starting. ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power

source or moving the tool. Carry- ing power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.

d. remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power

tool on. A wrench or a key left at- tached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.

e. do not overreach. keep proper

footing and balance at all times.

This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.

f. dress properly. do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. keep your hair, clothing and gloves away

from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

g. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are

connected and properly used. Use of these devices can reduce dustrelated hazards.

h. Only use safety equipment that has been approved by an appropri-

ate standards agency. Unapproved safety equipment may not provide adequate protection. Eye protection must be ANSI-approved and breathing protection must be NIOSH-ap-

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proved for the specific hazards in the work area.

4. power tool use and care a. do not force the power tool. use the correct power tool for your ap-

plication. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

b. do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off.

Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

c. disconnect the plug from the power source from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing

power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

d. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to oper-

ate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

e. Maintain power tools. check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired

before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.

f. keep cutting tools sharp and

clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

g. use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions

and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

5. Service a. have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts.

This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

1.

2.

3.

4.

TIG welder Safety warnings

Connection of a plug to this unit must only be performed by a certified electrician.

Do not exceed 20 PSI for shielding gas; 10 PSI is recommended.

Avoid electrical shock. Do not permit electrically live parts, cables, or electrodes to contact skin, clothing, or gloves. Wear ANSI-approved protective clothing. This unit draws enough current to cause serious injury or death. Before turning the welder on, check the electrode holder to be sure that there are no protruding screws, and that all insulation is secure. Do not weld unless you are insulated from ground and the work piece.

Avoid eye and body damage. Arc rays and infrared radiation can injure eyes and burn skin. Wear ANSI approved eye and body protection. Do not allow viewing by visitors without proper eye and body protection. Use a Face Shield with arc shaded filter plate.

SKU 98233 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 5

5.

6.

7.

8.

Move flammable and explosive material at least 35 feet from the welding arc to prevent welding sparks or molten metal from starting a fire. Keep a type ABC fire extinguisher within easy reach. Thoroughly clean the object being welded of any paint, grease, or other foreign material.

If working on a wall or ceiling prevent ignition of combustibles on the other side by moving them to a safe location.

Industrial applications must follow

OSHA guidelines.

Prevent eye injury and burns. Wearing and using

ANSI-approved personal safety clothing and safety devices reduce the risk for injury.

9. Leather leggings, fire resistant shoes or boots should be worn when using this product. Do not wear pants with cuffs, shirts with open pockets, or any clothing that can catch and hold molten metal or sparks.

10. Keep clothing and work surfaces free of grease, oil, solvents, or any flammable substances. Wear dry, insulating gloves and protective clothing.

11.

12.

Wear an approved head covering to protect the head and neck. Use aprons, cape, sleeves, shoulder covers, and bibs designed and approved for welding and cut ting procedures.

When welding/cutting overhead or in confined spaces, wear flame resistant ear plugs or ear muffs to keep sparks out of ears.

13.

14.

Prevent accidental fires.

Remove any combustible material from the work area.

When possible, move the work to a location well away from combustible materials. If relocation is not possible, protect the combustibles with a cover made of fire resistant material.

15. Do not use near degreasing or painting operations.

16. Enclose the work area with portable fire resistant screens. Protect combustible walls, ceilings, floors, etc., from sparks and heat with fire resistant covers.

17. Do not weld or cut on materials having a combustible coating or combustible internal structure, as in walls or ceilings, without an approved method for eliminating the hazard.

18. After spot welding, make a thorough examination for evidence of fire. Be aware that easily-visible smoke or flame may not be present for some time after the fire has started. Provide adequate ventilation in work areas to prevent accumulation of flammable gases, vapors, and dust.

Do not apply heat to a container that has held an unknown substance or a combustible material whose contents, when heated, can produce flammable or explosive vapors. Clean and purge containers before applying heat. Vent closed containers, including castings, before preheating, welding, or cutting.

19. Do not touch live electrical parts.

Wear dry, insulating gloves. Do not touch electrode or conductor tong

SKU 98233 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 6

20. with bare hand. Do not wear wet or damaged gloves.

Ensure that the unit is placed on a stable location before use. If this unit falls while plugged in, severe injury, electric shock, or fire may result.

warnInG

InhalaTIOn hazard: welding and plasma cutting produce

TOxIc FuMeS.

Exposure to welding or cutting exhaust fumes can increase the risk of developing certain cancers, such as cancer of the larynx and lung cancer.

Also, some diseases that may be linked to exposure to welding or plasma cutting exhaust fumes are:

• Early onset of Parkinson’s Disease

• Heart disease • Ulcers

• Damage to the reproductive organs

• Inflammation of the small intestine or stomach • Kidney damage

• Respiratory diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, or pneumonia

Use natural or forced air ventilation and wear a respirator approved by NIOSH to protect against the fumes produced to reduce the risk of developing the above illnesses.

21. Avoid overexposure to fumes and gases. Always keep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe the fumes. Use enough ventilation or exhaust, or both, to keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area.

22. Where ventilation is questionable, have a qualified technician take an air sampling to determine the need for corrective measures. Use mechanical ventilation to improve air quality.

If engineering controls are not feasible, use an approved respirator.

23. Follow OSHA guidelines for Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL’s) for various fumes and gases.

24. Follow the American Conference of

Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommendations for Threshold Limit

Values (TLV’s) for fumes and gases.

25. Have a recognized specialist in

Industrial Hygiene or Environmental

Services check the operation and air quality and make recommendations for the specific welding or cutting situation.

26. Maintain labels and nameplates on the tool. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

27. Avoid unintentional starting. Prepare to begin work before turning on the tool.

28. Do not leave the tool unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet. Turn off the tool, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.

29. Do not splice welding cables.

30. Do not weld sealed containers. All containers should be considered unsafe unless they have been rendered safe or declared safe by a qualified person.

SKU 98233 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 7

31. This product is not a toy. Keep it out of reach of children.

32. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use.

Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with pacemakers should:

• Avoid operating alone.

• Do not use with power switch locked on.

• Properly maintain and inspect to avoid electrical shock.

• Any power cord must be properly grounded. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.

33. A GFCI may provide protection from the “wall to the welder”, but a GFCI will not protect you from faults between the “welder and the work”.

Because a GFCI cannot protect you from faults between the “welder and the work” using proper welding technique and personal protection equipment while welding is crucial.

Ground the workpiece as well as the welder.

34. Use a non-conductive safety mat on the work surface to insulate the operator from the work surface.

35. Turn off, unplug, and discharge electrodes after use and before service.

36. Do not attempt to cool the welding tip with fluids. Allow the tip to cool down gradually.

37. Secure cylinders upright to prevent them from falling. All cylinders should be used and stored in an upright po-

38. sition. Never drop or strike a cylinder.

Do not use cylinders that have been dented. Cylinder caps should be used when moving or storing cylinders.

Empty cylinders should be kept in specified areas and clearly marked

“empty.”

Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities, contains chemicals known [to the State of California] to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-based paints

• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement or other masonry products

• Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber

Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles. (California Health & Safety

Code § 25249.5, et seq.)

39. WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of

California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Wash hands after handling. (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)

40. The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur.

It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are

SKU 98233 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 8