6 BASIC WELDING GUIDE
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© ESAB AB 2021
Arc welding technique
For those who have not yet done any welding, the simplest way to commence is to run beads on
a piece of scrap plate. Use mild steel plate about 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) thick and a 1/8 in. (3.2 mm)
electrode. Clean any paint, loose scale or grease off the plate and set it firmly on the workbench
so that welding can be carried out in the downhand position. Make sure that the work clamp is
making good electrical contact with the work, either directly or through the work table. For light
gauge material, always clamp the work lead directly to the workpiece, otherwise the circuit will not
be satisfactory.
The Welder
Place yourself in a comfortable position before beginning welding. Get a seat of suitable height
and do as much work as possible sitting down. Do not hold your body tense. A taut attitude of
mind and a tensed body will soon make you feel tired. Relax and you will find that it becomes
much easier. Wear a leather apron and gauntlets to prevent being burnt or sparks setting your
clothes on fire.
Place the work so that the direction of welding is across, rather than to or from, your body. The
electrode holder lead should be clear of any obstruction so that you can move your arm freely
along as the electrode burns down.
If the lead is slung over your shoulder, it allows greater freedom of movement and takes a lot of
weight off your hand. Be sure the insulation on your cable and electrode holder is not faulty,
otherwise you are risking an electric shock.
Striking an arc
Practice this on a piece of scrap plate before going on to more exacting work. You may at first
experience difficulty due to the tip of the electrode "sticking" to the work piece. This is caused by
making too heavy a contact with the work and failing to withdraw the electrode quickly enough. A
low amperage will accentuate it. This sticking of the tip may be overcome by scratching the
electrode along the plate surface in the same way as a match is struck. As soon as the arc is
established, maintain a 1/16 in. -1/8 in. (1.6 mm - 3.2 mm) gap between the burning electrode
end and the parent metal. Draw the electrode slowly along as it melts down.
Another difficulty is the tendency, after the arc is struck, to withdraw the electrode so far that the
arc is broken again. A little practice will soon remedy both of these faults.
Figure 57: Striking the arc
Arc length
The securing of an arc length necessary to produce a good weld soon becomes almost
automatic. You will find that a long arc produces more heat. A very long arc produces a crackling
or spluttering noise and the weld metal comes across in large, irregular blobs. The weld bead is
flattened and spatter increases. A short arc is essential if a high quality weld is to be obtained
although if it is too short there is the danger of it being blanketed by slag and the electrode tip
being solidified in. If this should happen, give the electrode a quick twist back over the weld to
detach it. Contact or "touch-weld" electrodes such as E7014 do not stick in this way, and make
welding much easier.
