#1 Stick Welding Tips for Starting an ARC

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also known as Manual Metal Arc (MMA) or Stick Welding can be a challenging process for beginners to learn. Check out this video to see how to fix this common mistake among beginners.
Here are a couple tips and tricks to start stick welding. Start with welder settings, doesn't have to be an expensive one, and start practicing!

Other Tools I use:

[ethanessig]

Glad you said that about the simder and turning it up I was pulling my hair out after only using my big 220 machine

[BlackAdam]

Glad this video came across my feed. Just started welding two days ago. Very, very new to this lol.

Hardest part for me is HOLDING the arc. It'll light up, but only for a hot second. Have tried everything, in regards to distance of rod to metal.

The only thing I haven't tried is upping the amps substantially.

Ran 3/32 at 65 amps yesterday. Nothing. Just stuck a lot.

Upped it today to 115 amps. Was noticeably better, but not quite there. Still sticking a lot too though.


And yes, I have one of those cheap Amazon welders.

Will try again tomorrow at 125 amps.

[mattwaters]

Im hoping my new little welder 20 - 75 amp will do ok. Will find out this weekend. Great video. 😊

[CoKanet-nojt]

I aways flip my tip out the path usually if i can. Just gotta watch where it lands. But i learned on the 80 from hf too.

[melvis]

Thanks allot u are the man great video thanks for sharing with us this appreciations 🇩🇰👌👍

[Astharot]

I'm learning and my big problem Is starting and arch with an already used Rod....with a new Rod no problem...but with an used One i can tap or scarpe away the flux and doesn't work, maybe After 30 striks

[vmmvils]

even Tig at low amp fail to strike an arc or sticks, thts is why mig is king