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I don't like the terms "strait" & "reverse" because it causes too much confusion. For wire the runs with a gas, be it solid or a flux core dual shield, the electrode lead from the drive/contactor assembly should be connected to the + (positive) weld output terminal ... a/k/a "electrode positive". For self shielding flux core (wire that does not require a gas) the electrode should be connected to the - (negative) weld output terminal ... a/k/a "electrode negative". Circuit breakers and fuses are two different animals. Circuit breakers are intended to protect only for short circuit faults to prevent wire fires. Fuses, if properly sized and selected for the application are better at protecting the equipment from over current damages. Without getting into the whole debate over wiring, breakers and fuses here, you can damage equipment by not properly protecting it. You also run the risk of seriously injuring or killing people because of improperly connected equipment. What you described seems more like a problem with improperly operated equipment or improper technique of the process rather than a problem with the equipment. However, the equipment can still be damaged and may no longer be safe to operate. My advice is to have your machine checked out by an approved repair facility for the machine. As for the staircase, for liability reasons alone, these things should be done only by properly trained and insured professionals. Legally, you can be in for more than you barganed for with this one. It's your machine and you are indirectly resposible for damages caused by it or because of it. A similar incident happened here not too long ago. A guy lent his brother-in-law a welder to install a steel fire escape on a private dwelling. The bro-in-law was not a welder and had no liability insurance for welding. Sometime after the fire escape was installed, it collapsed. Luckily only one person was injured and not severely but the dwelling and some vehicles were damaged in the process. The dwelling owners insurance company went after the bro-in-law and the owner of the welder and they are still paying for the damages out of their pockets. I know it sounds stupid but assumption of liability goes back a long way. I deal with this sort of stuff every day and have to watch everything I do so I don't get myself in a ringer over it. Just a little FYI so you don't get screwed for trying to be helpful.
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