The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·76043·Announced 1976-06-16

Midway Electric Arc Welders Recalled Due To Shock And Burn Hazards

CPSC recalls 250,000 Midway Electric Arc Welders due to risks of electric shock and severe skin burns.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect in a consumer product that poses a substantial hazard of electric shock and severe skin burns, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating due to significant injury risk.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of 250,000 Midway Electric Arc Welders manufactured by Western Manufacturing and Supply Company of Kearny, Nebraska. These units were sold by mail order between 1950 and the time of the recall for prices ranging from $9.95 to $14.95. The recall is mandated by an order issued under a consent agreement pursuant to Section 15 of the Consumer Product Safety Act.

The CPSC determined that the welders pose a substantial hazard of electric shock and skin burns. The construction of the units allowed power supply voltage to reach the electrodes directly, which could shock anyone contacting the electrodes or metal in contact with them. Additionally, the metal housing lacked thermal insulation, creating a threat of severe skin burns. The instructions also incorrectly advised substituting 30-ampere fuses for standard 15 or 20-ampere household fuses. Model numbers include DD, D, E, F, DS, and K.

Western Manufacturing and Supply Company, also known as Midway Sales, Inc., has discontinued production and stopped all sales of these units. Consumers who possess these welders should mail them directly to Western Manufacturing and Supply Company at 1400 West 22nd Street, Kearny, Nebraska 68847, Attention: Mr. P. Beshore. The package must include a note with the consumer's return address and postage cost. A full refund for the welder and the cost of postage will be provided.

The recalled product

Product
Midway Electric Arc Welders
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · electric shock

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