FREE how to arc weld guide for you to use. There comes a time in a man's life when he is going to need to learn how to arc weld. You might need to build yourself a nice big box trailer, or fix up the old farm plough. Yes, using a stick welder can be a bit of a pain in the bum at first especially if you have never done this before.
Like with anything, safety comes first and that is where we will start. Protective clothing is a must when welding. Not only do you have to be protected from the hot sparks but also the damaging UV rays that are given off from the welding process. Welded objects also become very hot and it is easily forgotten where you just welded, and if you pick up what you just welded you can burn your hands badly. This is why you need to wear some thick leather welding gloves, a long sleeved shirt and long pants.
Moving on now to your footwear, ideally it's best suited to wear a fully enclosed leather shoe as this will protect your feet from the hot sparks and slag that will fall down onto the floor. Because you're going to be doing some grinding as well, some ear muffs or earplugs will be needed. Also on the safety list will be a clear facemask or shield to protect you from the grinding sparks.
Finally you're going to need to get yourself a welding helmet. A standard flip up helmet will do the job okay, but personally I suggest investing in an auto darkening welding helmet. They are more expensive than the standard type helmets but they certainly do make it easy particularly for the learner to arc weld.
I suggest that before you start to actually weld you take your grinder and clean off everywhere you plan on welding. Any foreign materials such as paint, rust, mud, oil and grease need to be removed otherwise they are going to affect the way it welds.
The welding electrode selection to use is a 6013 rod. These are very common and are a general purpose (GP) rod that can be used in any position. All welding electrode will (or should) have a guide on the back of the packet showing you what diameter rod to use at what amperage setting of your machine.
Next attach the welding earth clamp to the metal part you plan on welding. Sometimes this is also called the ground clamp. It is also a good idea to hold the metal down with G or F clamps so that is does not move when you are striking the arc.
I recommend you use the scratch technique to get the arc started. This is just like striking a match except you are using a dirty great big long welding electrode. The idea is to drag or scratch the plate until the arc starts. Keep doing this over and over again until you can start it all the time. Once you master this you should be able to start the arc and hold it burning in the one spot.
Laying a weld bead down with an arc welder. Once you can establish an arc and keep it burning in the one spot you'll now need to make what is called a stringer bead. This is just a weld in a straight line. Once you have that arc established, angle the welding electrode slightly towards the way you want to travel and slowly move in that direction. The trick here is that you have to keep the arc going and your hand steady. Practice burning up half a packet of rods and by then you should have it down pat.
Hopefully this quick little guide will get you up and arc welding in next to no time. How to arc weld at home is very easy once you learn the proper methods of doing it. - 29952
Like with anything, safety comes first and that is where we will start. Protective clothing is a must when welding. Not only do you have to be protected from the hot sparks but also the damaging UV rays that are given off from the welding process. Welded objects also become very hot and it is easily forgotten where you just welded, and if you pick up what you just welded you can burn your hands badly. This is why you need to wear some thick leather welding gloves, a long sleeved shirt and long pants.
Moving on now to your footwear, ideally it's best suited to wear a fully enclosed leather shoe as this will protect your feet from the hot sparks and slag that will fall down onto the floor. Because you're going to be doing some grinding as well, some ear muffs or earplugs will be needed. Also on the safety list will be a clear facemask or shield to protect you from the grinding sparks.
Finally you're going to need to get yourself a welding helmet. A standard flip up helmet will do the job okay, but personally I suggest investing in an auto darkening welding helmet. They are more expensive than the standard type helmets but they certainly do make it easy particularly for the learner to arc weld.
I suggest that before you start to actually weld you take your grinder and clean off everywhere you plan on welding. Any foreign materials such as paint, rust, mud, oil and grease need to be removed otherwise they are going to affect the way it welds.
The welding electrode selection to use is a 6013 rod. These are very common and are a general purpose (GP) rod that can be used in any position. All welding electrode will (or should) have a guide on the back of the packet showing you what diameter rod to use at what amperage setting of your machine.
Next attach the welding earth clamp to the metal part you plan on welding. Sometimes this is also called the ground clamp. It is also a good idea to hold the metal down with G or F clamps so that is does not move when you are striking the arc.
I recommend you use the scratch technique to get the arc started. This is just like striking a match except you are using a dirty great big long welding electrode. The idea is to drag or scratch the plate until the arc starts. Keep doing this over and over again until you can start it all the time. Once you master this you should be able to start the arc and hold it burning in the one spot.
Laying a weld bead down with an arc welder. Once you can establish an arc and keep it burning in the one spot you'll now need to make what is called a stringer bead. This is just a weld in a straight line. Once you have that arc established, angle the welding electrode slightly towards the way you want to travel and slowly move in that direction. The trick here is that you have to keep the arc going and your hand steady. Practice burning up half a packet of rods and by then you should have it down pat.
Hopefully this quick little guide will get you up and arc welding in next to no time. How to arc weld at home is very easy once you learn the proper methods of doing it. - 29952
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