How to Use an Arc Welder

Arc welding uses an electrical current between an electrode and the welding material to melt the metal and create the weld. The area being welded is sometimes protected by semi-inert gas or filler material. Arc welding is commonly used because of the low cost and is normally the first type of welding apprentices learn.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Prepare to weld. Your practice area should be outdoors without any flammable materials nearby. Secure the practice steel to a work platform, attach the ground to the steel and place the welding rod in the other clamp.

2. Put on your protective equipment, especially the helmet. Looking at the arc unprotected can instantly cause permanent eye damage.

3. Turn the welder on and set it to about 80 amps. Touch the electrode to the steel and pull it back slightly. Break it loose and try again if it sticks. Increase the amperage if it continues to stick.

4. Feed the electrode into the arc to maintain it. It will make a distinctive crackling noise when it is an appropriate distance from the metal, usually about ¼ inch. The device will emit more of a popping noise with flying sparks if it is too far away and will stick to the metal if it is too close.

5. Lay a bead down a single piece of practice metal first. Once you become proficient at this, you may advance to welding two pieces of metal together.

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[firstname]

on 1/11/2009 i almost died when i read this article i didn't know what the **** i was doing and got shocked so bad i almost died i went into renial heart failure and had to be revived several times this article is fucking bullshit if you do what these motherfuckers say you will almost or be killed like me

[KOOL2]

on 1/13/2008 Excellent topic. There needs to be further information regarding earthing. Can an assistant be electrocuted. Much sought after topic.

[pervez]

on 1/4/2008 Its not as easy as its mentioned, step three turn the welder on and set it to 80amps Before that you have to make sure that you have a good ground clamp connected to the work piece, and you just don`t touch and pull back you have to strike the work piece with your electrode and start a arc, also the proper size of the electrode is to be selected according to the work and metal thickness, this is very very basic whats mentioned in the article, lots of precautions are necessary for carrying out arc welding.