Running a Bead of Weld When Arc Welding

Video Transcript

" Hi! This is John on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this video clip, I will be discussing how to run a good weld bead when arc welding. To review on striking your arc, what I like to do is strike it like a match, a little bit in front of where my weld will actually start and then bring it back and start to form my weld bead. Now typically you would be wearing your welding gloves, but for demonstration purposes I am going to do it just like this. When you are first starting out, you want to make sure you use two hands on the electrode holder and you typically will want to have between a 45 and a 90 degree angle as you move along, so you will want to have between a 45 and 90 degree angle. Now I would recommend when you are first starting out, strike your arc and pull your weld bead in a straight line. More advanced welding tips is you can make little circles or you can make little moons, but again I would probably recommend if you are first starting out, just pull a straight line."