In the absence of a welding course, what about we all help each other.At least until a certain someone gets his act together and gets these darn stick welding notes completed and formatted.

We are looking for those sorts of stick welding tips and tricks that were never in the textbooks to start with.
I'll start

Tack Welding thin metal to thick.


Strike the arc on the thicker plate, near to the edge of the thin metal. Move across until 1/3 width of the arc is on the thinner section and quickly break the arc.

Old and shaky
Support the electrode with the other hand. Support, not hold.The electrode rests on the top index finger of the welding glove. If the heat is a worry cut a crappy old glove up and drag the "sleeve" bit over the fingers of the supporting hand.

Poor vision- can't see
Clean the protective screen of your helmet- windex will do.Disassemble the helmet carefully and clean the electronic unit with a dampened cloth -if an auto darkener- and the inner protective screen -carefull don't the electrics wet. If you have reading glasses try them under the helmet- remember they are not grinding glasses.
Don't be cheap-if a cover lens is too dirty-buy a new one.

Ok your turn.


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