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14
WELDING GUIDELINES (CONTINUED)
Push vs Pull Technique
The type and thickness of the work piece dictates which way to
point the torch nozzle. For thin materials (18 gauge and smaller)
and all aluminum, the nozzle should point out in front of the weld
puddle and
push
the puddle across the workpiece. For thicker
steel, the nozzle should point into the puddle to increase weld
penetration. This is called backhand or
pull
technique (See Figure
10).
Figure 10
PULL
PUSH