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RXT140P
WELDING PROCEDURE
Before commencing, make sure that your hand held welding mask or welding hel-
met is in position to protect your eyes. It is also advisable to wear gloves and cloth-
ing, which cover the hands and arms to prevent flash burns.
1.
Striking Arc. This is done by bringing the electrode into contact with the work
piece using a light tapping action and withdrawing to create a gap of 1/16” –
1/18” (1.5 mm – 3.00 mm.).
2.
Maintaining Arc. Having created an arc, all that is necessary to maintain it is to
proceed steadily in one direction keeping the gap between the electrode and
the work piece constant. The electric current will flow through the electrode,
across the arc gap, and in doing so will melt the electrode core wire and pro-
tective flux. The electrode length will gradually decrease as the metal is trans-
ferred to the work piece under a protective slag formed by the flux. This slag
can then be removed when cooled by lightly tapping with a pointed tool or a
welders chipping hammer.
3.
To stop welding, all that is required is to withdraw the electrode from the work
piece - thus breaking the circuit. Be careful with the end of the electrode, as it
will be hot! Provided the current setting is correct, the surface of the work
piece will also melt by the intensity of the electric arc. A degree of
“penetration” is thereby obtained and a complete “fusion” of the work piece
and the deposited electrodes met
4.
Selection of electrode. There is no hard and fast rule by which a particular
gauge of electrode is selected. Usually this is determined by, the type of weld
required and the thickness of the work piece. E.g. a butt weld in
1/16” (1.5mm.) sheet metal can be done by a 1.6mm or 2.0mm electrode, the
difference being that the 2.0mm electrode will do the job quicker. The table
below Gives guidance as to which electrode is most suitable according to the
material thickness. This table is only a guide, and values given are an indica-
tion only.
ELECTRODE SIZE
MATERIAL THICKNESS
Inches MM
Inches
MM
5/64
2
1/16 – 3/32
1.6 – 2.5
3/32
2.5
3/32 – 5/32
2.5 – 4.0
1/8
3.2
5/32 – 15/64
4.0 – 6.0
(Weld Current)
60A
80A
115A
