How to Strike an Arc: Stick Welding Basics for Beginners

When starting out with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also known as Stick Welding, striking an arc is the first challenge to overcome. If you're wondering how to keep your rod from sticking, check out the tips in this video.

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[tomthumb]

I struck my first arc in 1971 in shop class. By 1979 I was a licensed fitter welder, I retired this past August 2020. Great career choice. My 21 year old grandson is currently nearing the end of his welding school. :)

[chuckfischer]

I thought it was called stick welding cause that's what the rod always does.
Good tips, thanks.

[nickstein]

A lot of welding channels come off as super condescending to beginners. Your channel doesn't do that. Your very personable. I really appreciate it.

[miamatti]

You're much more approachable and watchable than many of of the other welding channels... much more well spoken and knowledgeable as well

[cwoodside]

I took 3 semesters of welding in community college and had a natural knack for it. 13 military years later, I’m soon restarting my youthful trade as a professional welder in a U.S navy shipyard. My weld instructor showed a “push and twist” arc start technique. Think of a 90 degree perpendicular axis with your electrode & wrist. As you come in for the first contact, “push and twist” the electrode. That 90 degree twist can help eliminate a potential electrode stick over the conventional match strike or scrape technique. Depending on the thickness, he also bent his electrodes in the stinger about 90 degrees. This gave the stinger more grip within the clamp to help from sticking or added tension to help pull it out when you did without leaving your electrode behind. Thought this was worth sharing 🙂

[DursunX]

im self taught. i work in IT (but love to fabricate).
i start my arc on a scrap plate clamped to my job piece.
gets the tip clean & hot, this makes my first contact easy and predictable on thin wall tubing.

i have a $90 stick machine and zero training. these videos make life easier for anyone that lacks a teacher or experience💪🏼

[adrianrodriguez]

Bro finally a person that actually makes sense for beginners lol. Glad I found your channel 🙏🏼

[crossgrainwoodproductsltd]

This is helpful, as well as your other tutorials. I actually did my first welding project at 10 yrs old with my father who was a welder for 35 years before retiring. He learned how to weld in the army and when he got home, he went thru an apprenticeship. We used to take trips to the junkyard for interesting items to make into animals. I had my bucket and after it was filled with goodies from metal pieces to large nuts and bolts. I made crickets, turtles, and all kinds of creatures. Dad is long gone now, but every once in a while I'll be thinking of him and I'll get a whiff of his cheap "Money Maker" Cigars and it brings me right back to those early years. Thank you pop.
Your tutorials have really helped refresh my memory and it is like riding a bike- you never really forget how to ride...

[paddydukes]

I'm really glad I stumbled upon this channel. I started working for a construction company as a fleet mechanic last year, and while I had experience with MIG over my past decade in automotive dealerships it was nowhere near enough welding experience to keep up with the workload here. Our higher ups were supposed to send me and another of my coworkers to welding classes to get up to speed, but staffing shortages in our shop and money shortages in the company kept us tied to the shop in order to keep things going. I was going to sign up for welding classes at our local community college just to get it done, but Covid restrictions made the wait list 8 months long at a minimum. I tried teaching myself stick welding but it did not go well AT ALL. This channel has taught me a lot in just a short few days and helped me to work on my weak spots and learn A LOT of new skills, all for just the cost of my time.

So for that, thank you, Tim. You're doing a great job and I hope to learn more from you in the future!

[Dee-qogh]

I like the way he explain things, in a way you get it, A lot of people who makes videos don't have that gift and leave you confused.

[Gotmilkk]

I stuck my first ark and i was so happy and lost my weld but now im gettin better just learning from mistakes and teach your self is my best advice

[allenfoster]

Thanks for posting. I just bought a cheap 110v stick welder and did a really crappy but serviceable weld on a license plate bracket (first weld ever). Watching your examples of all the different variables is really helping me figure out what I did wrong. This is a great channel for a beginner like me to learn from.

[jasondoust]

Thanks Tim! Got me rolling and I was able to fix my balcony handrail with dad's old arc welder. Dad taught me the very basics about twenty years ago, and I got spoiled with a MIG welder at the college I worked at. It was nice to dust his gear off and put it to use.

[KE]

Tim I watched one of your YT videos yesterday and implemented your tips. I was amazed because by implementing your tips my welds starting looking professional where as prior to watching that video of yours my welds weren't even acceptable. And prior to watching your video yesterday I had watched a dozen or so other welding videos. Thanks for the brief education contained in your videos! When your welds come out looking good its a lot more fun to do this.

[markhemann]

Thanks bro! You are much nicer than a lot of guys that belittle you for being a rookie!👊

[webosm]

I had all the troubles mentioned when i started. :) My biggest problem was the length of the stick and to keep it stable and the right distance from the material. Solved it by holding the rod in the middle, much more stable and striking an arc and a nice bead became much simpler. Then i cut the rods in two for the same reason. After a while it becomes easier and full length rods are no problem anymore.

[haigjansz]

Great video, even after I have been welding on and off over 25 years. I find a new electrode on a new weld is more prone to sticking until it has been struck and used a little. After is is warm it is much easier. I also find rubbing the end of a new rod on the concrete helps to get the flux off the edge and enables the strike.

[jku]

I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have this channel available. This is definitely the best welding instruction I’ve ever seen.

[wcompto]

I agree with “D”, your attitude and approach are SO much better than 75% of the welding videos out there. It seems like almost everyone talks down to the audience, but you don’t have the, “ I’m a pro and you are lucky I’ll even talk to you!” Arrogant attitude.
Thanks for your vids Tim!

[markharrisllb]

I definitely think I’m too aggressive striking my initial arc, thank you that tip on its own is priceless.