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Electric Arc Welder

CPSC Recall #74-012 - February 21, 1974

Recall Summary

Recall Number74-012
Recall DateFebruary 21, 1974
Remedy Type-
Units AffectedApproximately 200,000
ManufacturerThe welders were manufactured by Wel-Dex Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Relco Industries, 2210 West 34th Street, Houston, Texas.

Product

Electric Arc Welder

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.(Feb. 22)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned that approximately 200,000 "Wel-Dex" arc welders purchased by consumers over the past four to six years may contain defects capable of causing fatal electric shock.Consumers should immediately cease use of the product and take extreme care when disconnecting it from an electrical outlet. The terminals on the welder are exposed, creating a potential hazard of electric shock, and, in addition, poor connection of the line cord to the welder could render the entire outer frame electrically alive. The welders were manufactured by Wel-Dex Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Relco Industries, 2210 West 34th Street, Houston, Texas. Both the names of the welder and the manufacturer appear on a nameplate on the welder. The product was advertised through various media including organic gardening and farming magazines. All sales were made by mail order. The Commission learned about the potential hazard as a result of a consumer complaint from an electrical engineer. The Commission is investigating alternatives open to it to ensure that the product is corrected or removed from the market. Further information will be released to consumers as soon as it is available.

Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned that approximately 200,000 "Wel-Dex" arc welders purchased by consumers over the past four to six years may contain defects capable of causing fatal electric shock.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (refund, replacement, or repair) at no cost to you.

No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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