Q&A for How to Weld

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  • Question
    How do you protect yourself when welding?
    Jones Welding & Industrial Supply Company
    Industrial Welding Experts
    Welding can be a complex and potentially hazardous activity. The information provided here is meant to serve as a general guideline, but it is crucial to prioritize safety and consult with a qualified welding specialist or instructor if you have any doubts or concerns. Welding techniques, materials, and equipment may vary, and the proper procedures and precautions may depend on specific circumstances. Welding involves inherent risks, such as exposure to high temperatures, intense light, fumes, and electrical hazards. Therefore, it is essential to receive proper training, follow manufacturer's guidelines, and adhere to safety regulations and practices. WikiHow and Jones Welding & Industrial Supply, Inc do not assume any responsibility or liability for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided. Always seek professional advice and take appropriate precautions to ensure your safety when engaging in welding activities. You can always consult with your local welding supply store to be led into the right direction!"
    Industrial Welding Experts
    Expert Answer
    Wear the appropriate protective gear, like a welding helmet with a properly shaded lens, flame-resistant clothing, welding gloves, and a welding apron. It's also important to work in a well-ventilated space, and to be always keep your workpiece grounded to protect yourself from electrical hazards.
  • Question
    How do I start up the electric welding machine and sort the settings?
    Community Answer
    The settings don't matter at the time you turn on the machine. Before you start to weld, the settings need to be set according to the thickness and type of metal you are welding.
  • Question
    What should I do after each bead is completed?
    Community Answer
    This depends on whether it's practice or not. If it's practice, then dip it in water. If it isn't for practice but for making an item, etc., then let it air dry.
  • Question
    What should the ampere be for various thicknesses of metals?
    Community Answer
    You would have to look at a chart for a rough estimate of where to put your amperage to begin. For example, if I am using a stick wielder with 6013 stick and 16 gauge steel, then I would put my amperage at around 80.
  • Question
    What metal would I use with E7014 rods and E6013?
    Community Answer
    7014 and 6013 are a general-purpose rod, good for mild steel that is at least 1/8" thick.
  • Question
    How will it move the electrode when I start the weld?
    Community Answer
    You move your gloved hand holding the electrode holder in the direction of travel.
  • Question
    How fast should I go when welding?
    Community Answer
    This is something you learn with time. It depends on the rate of penetration, the base metal thickness, the desired width of weld bead, etc. If you are set in the correct range on your equipment, your speed can vary some.
  • Question
    When striking an arc, what causes electrode sticking?
    Community Answer
    When striking an arc, you are making a short circuit. Whenever it sticks to metal is because you have created a small weld between electrode and metal.
  • Question
    Why is my puddle going crisp black?
    Community Answer
    That is most likely the slag. Knock it off with a hammer or a wire brush and you should reveal a nice, shiny, metallic weld under the slag.
  • Question
    How do I know the amperage of my welding machine?
    Community Answer
    Look on the machine, you should have a gauge,dial or sticker that tells you. If not, look in the manual or on the box it came in.
  • Question
    About how long will it take to weld?
    Community Answer
    It mostly depends on the size of the metal you want to weld, as well as the metal itself. Using stainless steel, for example, and an area that's 5x5, it would take about 10 to 30 minutes. But using a harder metal, and a larger area of anything over 15x15, it could take half an hour or longer.
  • Question
    If I welded for a few minutes without eye protection, will it affect my eyes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you weld without a hood for a while, it is very likely you will get flash burn, caused by the UV light in an arc. Flash burn is often described as feeling as though there is sand in your eyes. Always wear protection.
  • Question
    How does a blowtorch flame conduct electricity?
    Community Answer
    A blowtorch doesn't conduct electricity; it heats up the metal by using combustible gases.
  • Question
    I am locking a trans-axle on a riding mower for my first weld. Is this a bad idea?
    Community Answer
    Yes. I would recommend starting with something smaller. If there is some scrap metal around that is not being used, grind the rust off with a grinder and weld two smaller pieces together for practice.
  • Question
    How does the size of metal influence welding?
    Community Answer
    It will affect how hot you want your weld to be. If you are welding a thin piece of metal, setting up and welding with too high an amperage will start to burn through your metal.
  • Question
    How do I weld stainless steel?
    Community Answer
    You would first need to use a TIG Welder. After a little bit of practice, stainless steel will come pretty easily.
  • Question
    Can I get electrocuted while I am welding?
    Community Answer
    It's possible. If you connect the negative wire to the same part you are welding, there is no danger. But if the negative is connected to the first part, and you are starting the weld on the second part, you will be electrocuted due to the loose connection between the parts. So always make you you start the weld from the same part the negative is connected to.
  • Question
    What's the difference between MIG and TIG when welding?
    kemoy brown
    Community Answer
    TIG uses long welding rods to accomplish a similar task. MIG welding process is done with metal inert gas.
  • Question
    How do I weld aluminum?
    kemoy brown
    Community Answer
    The best way to weld aluminum is with a TIG (tungsten inert gas) machine using AC current and 100-percent argon shielding gas.
  • Question
    What's a better welder, a stick welder or a MIG welder?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    It depends. If you're outside, or will be switching filler metals often, you'll want to use a stick welder. Otherwise, a MIG welder works better.
  • Question
    I want to be an arc welder. As a beginner, what are the things I need to do or know?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    For arc welding, always wear cotton long-sleeved shirts, long pants and boots, not only to protect from the intense UV light from welding, but also to protect from small pieces of molten slag/spatter that are created when arc welding. For overhead arc welding or arc welding at high amps, a welding jacket is recommended. Always wear a welding helmet for any type of welding to protect your eyes (and face), as looking at an arc without a welding helmet/shaded eye protection will give you a temporary painful condition known as "arc eye", which can seriously damage your eyes in cases of repeated exposure.
  • Question
    When I strike an arc the electrode sticks to the work. What am I doing wrong?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    Assuming your welding process in question is Stick Welding (SMAW), it comes down to technique as you are learning and progressing, you want to "bounce" or "touch and quickly lift up" the stick electrode as quick as you can from the work piece to get the arc started, then keep the arc as short as you can. Doing this too slow will get the rod stuck, and too short of an arc will also cause this, an occurrence with all new and even experienced welders. To reduce sticking as you are learning, 6013 rods are some of the easiest to learn with, using thinner diameter rods (e.g. 1.6mm or 2.0 mm) on higher amps (e.g. 60 amps or more) will also reduce sticking as you are learning to stick weld.
  • Question
    How to stop the rod from sticking?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    Practice starting an arc and choose which technique is right for you ("tapping the electrode" or "striking it like a match" are the two most popular techniques). Use a slightly longer arc length when welding. Use higher amps and thinner diameter stick electrodes.
  • Question
    Can I stick weld aluminum?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    Yes you can, with Aluminium Stick welding electrodes (E4043). However you may have to purchase them online as most retail hardware stores don't stock them - possibly due to low demand as most professional welders prefer to either MIG or TIG weld Aluminium for higher quality welds and more ease of use - stick welding aluminium is generally regarded as an "outdoor field repair" where perfect quality welds are not essential and other processes are not available.
  • Question
    What is the distance of the rod on the metal?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    Generally, keep as short of an arc you can without sticking the electrode to the metal. Typically, this will be about the same diameter of the electrode. Having too long of an arc will result in excessive spatter and, in general, just a very poor quality weld.
  • Question
    I cannot see where I am welding and most of the times I find out that I do not weld the joint!
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    This is common when you are learning to weld - the more practice you get welding, the more you get used to being able to see around the weld puddle. If you have an adjustable shade welding helmet that is too dark, you can try turning the darkness setting down a number, so long as your eyes are comfortable. Also try different welding helmets if you can - Speedglas and Miller are two well respected industry leading brands that provide very high quality welding hoods.
  • Question
    How do I pass a weld test and not disappoint my teacher?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    Relax and be confident, putting all of your practice and learned skills to use in your weld test. Pass or fail, as long as you tried your best you can be proud and work on always getting better and better regardless of the result. Getting in extra practice in the shop or at home will also help, as well as viewing reputable YouTube videos on welding, of which there are many around.
  • Question
    What can I ground to if I'm not welding on a welding table?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    You can ground straight to the workpiece, so long as there is a physical connection from the electrode to the ground cable. The worst that will happen is you won't be able to start an arc, just re-position the ground cable.
  • Question
    How do I weld horizontal and vertical weld, and what is the difference?
    Galasy4969
    Top Answerer
    When welding horizontal, you will almost always use a steady drag with little or no articulation. Vertical welds are usually full surface fill, so you will need to use a weave motion. The settings do not change between the two.
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