How to Run a Stick Welding Bead

Coated electrodes protect a molten stick weld bead.

Shielded metal arc welding allows a welder to weld multiple pieces of metal together without shielding gas and with the ability to work farther from a welding machine. SMAW, or stick welding, uses a coated electrode to produce a weld bead on multiple pieces of metal. Running a weld bead with a stick electrode requires the proper combination of heat, speed and electrode gap. A weld bead run with one improper factor leads to a weak weld prone to failure under stress.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-inch hard grinding wheel
• Angle grinder
• Welding hood
• Welding gloves
• Chipping hammer

Instructions

1. Secure a 1/4-inch hard grinding wheel to the threaded arbor of an angle grinder. Depress the angle drill trigger. Remove contaminates from the surface of the weld joint by running the spinning hard grinding wheel along the joint until you see shiny metal along the entire weld joint.

2. Put on a welding hood and welding gloves. Secure a stick welding electrode in the stinger of an arc welder. Attach the ground clamp to the metal or a conductive table holding the metal.

3. Turn the amperage adjustment knob to the setting shown on the side of the welder for the thickness and type of metal you are welding.

4. Hold the tip of the stick electrode 1/8 inch above the surface of the weld joint. Lower your welding hood. Touch the surface of electrode on the weld joint and immediately lift it back to 1/8 inch above the metal.

5. Move the welding electrode 1/8 inch down the weld joint. Swing the electrode in the opposite direction and up another 1/8 inch. Continue moving the electrode in a "C" shape, always moving 1/8 inch with each swing across the weld joint.

6. Hit the finished weld with the pointed end of a chipping hammer to remove the protective slag from the surface of the weld.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow a weld to cool before removing slag to avoid burns.

References

• RodOvens.com: Welding Techniques
• Miller: Basic Tips to Improve Stick Welding
• Delta School of Trades: The Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process