How to Arc Weld | Welding

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This welding rod fits into an electrode holder which is insulated and allows the operator to safely hold the electrode without danger of receiving an electric shock. The rod can be positioned in the holder in a number of different ways depending on operator preference or the position of the work being welded.

When the welding machine is on and the ground clip is connected to the steel table or to the work itself anything metal on this table is now charged. When the electrode makes contact with the work it completes a circuit with the electricity flowing through the electrode holder, down through the work, and back out to the ground clamp back to the welder.

When an arc is struck a common pool of molten metal is created between the two pieces that are being joined. Into this the melting alloy center of the welding rod is deposited completing the weld. One thing to be careful of as you're welding this rod is being consumed. That is, it's growing shorter. So, the operator has to constantly be aware of both moving the rod laterally but also pushing the rod into the seam being welded.

The first step in learning how to arc weld is learning how to strike the arc. Striking the arc can sometimes be very difficult at first. It's a delicate flicking motion. It's not a stabbing or a quick drag, but as if you're striking a match gently. Once the arc has started the trick is to maintain a nice, smooth molten puddle of metal with a consistent distance between the tip of the welding rod and the surface of the work.

Alright. Let's give it a try. Welding hoods down. Remember, never look at an arc with the naked eye.

Now that you've mastered striking the arc, and it may have taken you several tries don't be discouraged, let's join some metal together. OK, hoods down. After striking the arc I create a nice, even pool of molten metal. You'll notice that the tip of the welding rod stays very near to the arc puddle and that I'm also slightly wavering the tip of the electrode back and forth. The idea is to heat both pieces of metal evenly as the filler rod is being deposited.

Once you've completed your arc welded seam you'll notice that there's a blue-black residue on top of the weld. This residue is a byproduct of the burning flux. It needs to be cleaned away from the weld. You can do this with a chipping hammer and wire brush.

[nc]

My dad was gonna teach me how to do it properly the day he passed away. I hope I'll be able to master it without him.

[petea]

Thanks mate I'm blind now because I looked at the arc when you were welding

[dennisjj]

Personally, I thought you did a fantastic job....wish I could weld as good as you. Thanks again for your tips.

[ryanlumley]

perhaps if you had a filter on your camera we could actually SEE said pool and tip of rod. rather than a blob of glowing white....

[he-man]

This video gave me bad anxiety up until the 2 minute mark. Every time he waved the tip over the metal I was waiting for a spark but it never came...

[bradles]

I'm just starting to have a go at welding and this video was nice and straight forward just the basics to start thank you

[cat_loaf]

I am a begginner, today I tried welding for the first time...ugh, I will learn tho, you just earned a new sub sir!

[markfothebeast]

I've been trying to figure out stick/arc welding without the aid of an experienced welder. I look like Luke Skywalker blindly swinging a light sabre. I had to turn up the amperage and now it seems to be creating a smoother start/strike. MIG (wire feed) takes much less effort but I like the width and appearance of the stick bead (compared to my flux core).

[BMS]

I put on my welding mask while watching this video

[olivergill]

Good instruction, and I thank you. Filter could have given easier screen view of the plate welding.

[thecatpersonuk]

Hopefully soon learning this at school, few students get the opportunity due to the move away from metal to wood and now for some reason from wood to more design based

[tomod]

Why do you need to remove the residue? Is it just aesthetics?

[RichKillaers]

Never took welding class until my job I'm working at trained me and shadowing from experience techs. So far I've only done arc welding but mostly MiG welding. I'm currently reading a welder handbook from my local library.

[darklord]

When I use to weld we used a pair of pliers to hold the piece and chisel the slag away. The gloves hardened when the got burnt or holes in them.

[SuperKwame]

Thanks for your time. Really appreciate this detail.

[randomschittz]

“You’ll notice the tip of the welding rod” I’m sorry, I couldn’t see it. Maybe you were moving too fast, or it was too hard to see past Zeus and surface of the sun.

[georgiearn]

Superglue works just as good.

How you think they keep the Statue of Liberty upright for this many years?

[Yo-uytv]

Thanks now I can finally get Arcwelder

[billan]

I just looked at the arc with my naked eye....

[ACMaverick]

Does the grounding cable need to be clamped to a piece of metal that is touching the workpiece?