How to Weld With Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Arc welding is an art and a science combined. It takes a little know-how and a little practice to get good at bonding metal with shielded metal arc welding. Doing so can save you many dollars in repairs around the farm or garage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Welding machine
• Electrodes of various kinds and sizes
• Welder's helmet
• Various vision filters
• Safety glasses with side shields
• Welder's gloves
• Leather apron
• Wire brush
• Chipping hammer

1. Place the correct electrode for the type of metal you will be welding into the electrode holder and twist the handle to clamp it in place.

2. Ground the welder to the workbench or the piece of metal you will be working on.

3. Don your personal protective equipment, which includes leather welding gloves, welding helmet with built-in eye protection, flame-resistant clothing or leather apron, sturdy boots and pants with no cuff. Also wear safety glasses with side shields under your welding helmet.

4. Select the proper current for the weld you will be making and turn the welding machine on while you keep the electrode from touching anything.

5. Practice striking an arc with your energized electrode. What you are doing is completing an electrical circuit as electricity flows from the welding machine, through the lead to your electrode, then through the work piece into the ground wire and back to the machine. The intense heat melts the electrode into the work piece.

6. Scratch the electrode on the work piece lightly, as if scratching a match, to create the arc. If you get too close to the work piece with the electrode, it will stick to the metal, and you'll have to yank it off and try again.

7. Hold the electrode at a 10 to 30 degree angle to the work piece and about 1/16-inch away from the weld you are making as you drag the electrode back toward you.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice striking and breaking an arc by making rows of weld dots on a scrap piece of metal. This is the hardest part of welding.
• Intense heat is generated by welding. Protect yourself from hot metal and electric shock.
• You can be blinded by arc burns to your eyes. Never look directly at the welding process with the naked eye. Use the correct ultraviolet light filter lens.
• Don't run liquid fuel powered engines indoors without proper ventilation.
• Keep flammable materials away from the welding area and a dry powder fire extinguisher nearby.
• Don't breathe welding fumes. Keep your head away from the fumes and use adequate ventilation.