How Do You Operate an Arc Welder?
Arc welding may be the answer if you need to join two pieces of metal together and need a strong, permanent joint. Arc welding uses electricity to melt the welding rod material, which blends with the base metal that you are working with. A joint that has been arc welded may be as strong or stronger than the surrounding metal. The arc welder is grounded to the metal you are working with, and when you touch the welding rod to the work area, an arc is created and the circuit is completed.
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Things You'll Need
- Welding gloves
- Welding helmet
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long pants
- Boots
- Metal grinder
- Arc welder
- Welding rods
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Don heavy welding gloves. Use a good quality welding helmet, as looking at welding arcs without protection can cause damage to your eyes. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, as your skin can be burned from the arcs. Wear heavy boots to protect your feet.
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2
Prepare the area to be welded by grinding off any rust, scale, dirt, or paint with a metal grinder.
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3
Squeeze the alligator clamp on the grounding cable from your welder together with your hand. Attach the clamp to a metal part of the piece you are welding, but far enough away that the clamp and attaching cable will not be damaged by welding arcs. Release the clamp.
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4
Plug the welder’s power cord in. Squeeze the clamp on the welding rod holder and insert a rod into the jaws. Release the clamp.
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5
Turn the amp setting on your welder to 70 amps. Turn the welder’s power switch on. Hold the rod to the work at a ninety-degree angle. Before welding can begin, you must strike an arc, which is the arc of electricity that comes from the welding rod to the metal being welded. Start your arc by tapping the rod against the metal and then back up again, or by striking the rod like a match against the metal.
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6
Hold the rod away from the metal being welded the same distance as the diameter of the welding rod. Steadily move the rod across the area to be welded. Do not remain in one area for too long or you will burn a hole in the metal or overheat it to the point that it warps or distorts. (Note: If you lose the arc, you are probably holding the rod too close or too far away from the work. Strike your arc again and continue.)
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Pull the rod back from the work when you have completed the weld. Turn the welder’s power switch off. Remove the slag (which is welding rod residue) from the weld by rapping the weld with a hammer until the slag breaks free and falls off.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice your welding on scrap metal before beginning your project. There are different types of welding rods. Check with your welding supplier to make sure you are using the correct rod for the type of repair you will be doing.
Always wear a welding helmet when welding; otherwise, you can get welder’s flash, which may cause permanent damage to your eyes.
References
- Photo Credit soudeur image by fderib from Fotolia.com
