How to Arc Weld Panels

Arc welding is a common way to adhere steel panels together. If you have a project that requires arc welding panels together, here is the process to complete the welding job.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3/8 inch thick mild carbon steel panels
• Arc welder
• Stinger
• Welding rod 7018HR (3/32 or 1/8) for general use
• Grinder w/ grinding wheel and power brush
• Welding hood w #10 shaded, or higher, glass
• Chipping hammer for slag
• Leather welding gloves
• Safety glasses for grinding ( or welding hood w/o shade glass)
• Welding sleeves or heavy long sleeved shirt

1. Start by grinding all edges of the steel panel pieces. Make sure the edges are clean from debris and dirt after grinding.

2. 
   Grind the bevel

   Grind a small bevel on the face edges of the panels. Leave a small flat edge called a land at the bottom of the bevel. Again your edges must be free of debris and dirt before you begin arc welding.

3. Now you can begin setting the arc welder. Polarity is the same for most arc welding. The stinger will be connected to the positive terminal of the welder, negative will be connected to the negative side of the welder and grounded to the piece you are welding to.
   Heat settings will be different according to the welding rod and type.
   Heat settings will be as follows:
   7018 - 3/32 size: 85-90 amps
   7018 - 1/8 size: 115-120 amps

4. 
   Tack weld the panel

   Tack weld the panel pieces into desired position by starting at one corner, and then tack weld the opposite corner. After all corners are tacked, place a tack weld the center position as well. Make sure that when you tack the panel all edges are flush. Check the edges for flushness by using a
   Welding hood glass which is square, or a piece of welding rod.

5. 
   Root Pass

   Now begin welding out the panel. This process will include a root pass, a fill pass if needed, and a cover pass. The root pass will be run in between the tacks to connect the two pieces . Using the lower end of the suggested heat settings and good technique will ensure that you do not blow through the metal.

6. 
   Chip the slag

   After the root pass is complete, chip the slag off and use the power brush wheel to ensure the weld is clean and free of slag. If filler passes are needed, continue welding the piece until the bevel is full of weld but does not go over the face of the panel. Remember to chip the slag and use the power brush after each pass.
   Depending on the thickness of material, several passes may be needed.

7. 
   Cover pass

   The cover pass is done after the root pass or filler passes and is the finishing touch of the weld. A cover pass should be no more than the edge of a nickel high in thickness, and the face of a dime size in width. After running the cover pass, chip the slag and power brush the weld. All starts and stops of the weld may need to be ground down gently to make it look uniform all the way around.

Resources

• Welding Helmet Resource
• Welding Clamps
• Where to find a Good welding Machine