Friday, February 3, 2023
Weld Pro Mag
  • SMAW
  • MIG
  • TIG
  • FCAW
  • Gear
    • PPE
  • Projects
  • Shop
  • About
No Result
View All Result
  • SMAW
  • MIG
  • TIG
  • FCAW
  • Gear
    • PPE
  • Projects
  • Shop
  • About
No Result
View All Result
Weld Pro Mag
No Result
View All Result
Home FCAW

Welding 101

May 7, 2020
in FCAW, SMAW
Welding 101
339
SHARES

First, practice handling the gun without actually welding. Rest its barrel in one hand, and support that hand on the table. The other hand operates the gun’s trigger. Stand in a comfortable position and move the gun steadily over the work surface. Adjust your posture and gun movement so that they feel natural.

Attach the work lead to the workpiece, and hold the gun so the wire meets the weld surface at about a 30-degree angle. Touch the wire very lightly to the surface, squeeze the trigger, and gently pull the gun toward you to make your first test weld. The wire should melt off into the weld puddle at an even rate and make a steady crackling noise as you go. Adjust the welder settings if needed.

  1. Prepare the Metal
    1. Mark a line with a carbide scribe or woodworker’s awl, and cut with a metal-cutting chop saw or a hacksaw. For a strong weld, clean the metal with a degreaser.
  2. Prepare the Metal (Cont.)
    1. Next, grind or file a slight bevel along the edges you’re welding. This ensures the weld penetrates as deeply as possible and countersinks it so you can grind it flush. Don’t overdo it or you’ll burn through the metal when you weld.
  3. Position the Pieces
    1. When building a project like our C table, you’ll need to form exact 90-degree angles. Clamp the mitered surfaces together, leaving enough room to put down a tack weld. The pieces should lie flat and fit neatly without a metal burr interfering.
    2. Check the assembly’s position with a square. Use a carpenter’s aluminum triangle square on the inside of the joint, or a steel carpenter’s square on the outside.
  4. Tack Weld
    1. Tack the pieces together at a couple of places along each joint. Check again for square corners; if anything shifts and puts the assembly out of square, grind away the tack weld, reposition the parts, and try again.
  5. Finish Weld
    1. After you’ve tacked everything into place, lay down your final weld beads. As enjoyable as it is to create nice, smooth welds, resist the temptation to overdo it. The more metal you deposit, the more you’ll need to grind off.
  6. Post-Weld Cleanup
    1. Chip off the slag with a welding hammer, and then use a 36-grit grinding wheel to knock the beads down to the surrounding metal. To ensure a flat, flush surface, move the grinder along the weld, not across it. Remove any marks with a 60-grit zirconia flap disc.
  7. Final Tip
    1. Prime and paint the steel, buff some clear wax over it, or spray on a coating of clear acrylic. But do it sooner rather than later. You don’t want a layer of rust to form.
Tags: BeginnerFeaturedSMAW WeldingWelding
Previous Post

7 Tips for Vertical Stick Welding

Next Post

10 Beginner Welding Projects

Next Post
10 Beginner Welding Projects

10 Beginner Welding Projects

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Result
View All Result

Categories

  • FCAW (2)
  • MIG (4)
  • PPE (1)
  • Projects (1)
  • Shop (8)
  • SMAW (4)
  • TIG (2)
  • Tips (3)

Recent.

8 Best Reviewed Miller MIG Welders for 2020

The Top 7 Miller TIG Welders to Buy Online

May 22, 2020
Industrial Modern Desk / Reclaimed Wood Desk

Industrial Modern Desk / Reclaimed Wood Desk

May 7, 2020
Welding Art Prints – Welding Goggles. Welding Torch.

Welding Art Prints – Welding Goggles. Welding Torch.

May 7, 2020

AFFILAITE DISCLAIMER

Weld Pro Magazine (weldpromag.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazonsupply.com, and myhabit.com.

Weld Pro Magazine also supports independent builders via Etsy’s affiliate program. This website is run and managed by Weld Pro Magazine and is not run by Etsy.

In general Weld Pro Magazine accepts compensation from the companies featured on this website in the form of affiliate links. The content of our product reviews and descriptions are based on personal experience, independent research and user reviews. Please note that these links do not increase your products cost and help support our online magazine.

Read full Disclaimer Here

We appreciate you supporting this website!

Weld Pro Mag

Weld Pro Magazine is the Number One Spot for all your welding needs.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer

© 2020 Weld Pro Magazine

No Result
View All Result
  • SMAW
  • MIG
  • TIG
  • FCAW
  • Gear
    • PPE
  • Projects
  • Shop
  • About

© 2020 Weld Pro Magazine

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy Policy page to learn more.