Welding Tutorial: How to Weld Properly?

Overview of Welding Tutorial in Detail

Ask any experienced DIY welder as to which welding he started practising the trade with and, chances are, you’d get a unanimous ‘arc welding’ for an answer! Arc welding is the most elementary type of welding which is not only minimalist in terms of the paraphernalia required but also among the least expensive procedures to start out with.

List of Different Useful Way to Weld Properly- fREE Welding Guide

If you are a DIY enthusiast looking to know your way about the arc welding procedure, here is a step-by-step guide for you to refer to:-

1) Getting the Materials & Welding Area Ready

Before setting out to weld, it is important that you get all the necessary welding paraphernalia ready. Select your welding electrode, welding machine, electrode holder, workpiece, ground clamp et al. The area you want to perform the welding operation in should also be checked for the presence of any flammable substances which, in case, found, should be removed.

In case you do not have an area to dedicate your welding activities to, have welding curtains installed around your welding zone so as to prevent people in proximity from direct exposure of UV rays, glares.

2) Using Protective Gear

When it comes to a job such as welding, if you do not stick by the rule book and give even the slightest of seemingly trivial precautions or rules a miss, you’d end up doing yourself more harm than good. Before you set out to perform your first weld, ensure you have thoroughly gotten hold of each and every safety wear for yourself—from safety glasses to welding gloves. The process of welding gives off sparks and spatters which run the risk of flying straight into your eye. Also seeing welding sparks directly with the naked eye can damage visibility.  Thus, you must wear welding glasses at any cost! Sparks from welding could not only ignite a fire but could also cause burns to your skin. For this reason, you must always remember to wear welding gloves as well.

3) Making Adjustments in the Welding Machine

A welding machine usually operates at an amperage ranging from anywhere between 90 – 120 amps. However, you could always tune the amperage depending on the material that you intend to weld.

4) Cleaning the Metal Prior to Welding

You must make it a point to clean the metal to be welded with the help of either a wire brush or a grinder. The process helps clear the workpiece of any kind of rust accumulation or old paint remains. You could also use acetone to clear the metal off of ant oil deposits. You must not resort to the use of any chlorinated solvent to clean the workpiece; upon welding, it could trigger a lethal reaction.

5) Securing the Joint and Striking the Arc

Secure the workpiece firmly in place with the help of a clamp and vise. Once done, you could strike the arc by gently touching and tugging the metal using the tip of the electrode. The process has to be repeated on and off a few times.

6) Building a Weld Pool

Once you have established the arc, the electrode has to be maintained at a fixed distance of about one-eighth of an inch from the metal so as to allow it to melt and form a weld pool.

7) Finishing the Weld

Once you have finished the joining process, you can pull the electrode back, allow the workpiece to cool and clear the excess slag with the help of a chipping hammer.

Practise the aforementioned steps, over and over again, under the supervision of an experienced welder. Also, there is more to why you should start with arc welding of all the different types of welding procedures that exist; this is because upon gaining good practice, you could improvise your welds to include the multitude of specialised electrodes available.