4 | LEARNING TO STICK WELD | 4 |
4.The Correct Welding Speed
The important thing to watch while welding is the puddle of molten metal right behind the arc. Do NOT watch the arc itself. It is the appearance of the puddle and the ridge where the molten puddle solidifies that indicate correct welding speed. The ridge should be approximately 3/8" (9.5mm) behind the electrode.
Most beginners tend to weld too fast, resulting in a thin, uneven, “wormy” looking bead. They are not watching the molten metal.
IMPORTANT: For general welding it is not neces- sary to weave the arc; neither forwards and back- wards nor sideways. Weld along at a steady pace. You will find it easier.
NOTE: When welding on thin plate, you will find that you will have to increase the welding speed, whereas when welding on heavy plate, it is neces- sary to go more slowly in order to get good penetra- tion.
PRACTICE
The best way of getting practice in the four skills that enable you to maintain:
1.Correct Welding Position
2.Correct Way To Strike An Arc
3.Correct Arc Length
4.Correct Welding Speed
is to spend a little more time on the following exercise.
Use the following: |
|
Mild Steel | Plate 3/16" (4.8mm) or heavier |
Electrode | 1/8" (3.2mm) Fleetweld® 180 |
Current Setting . . . | . . . . .105 Amps AC |
| or 95 Amps DC(+) |
Do the following: |
|
1.Learn to strike the arc by scratching the electrode over the plate. Be sure the angle of the electrode is correct. If you have a headshield use both hands.
2.When you can strike an arc without sticking, prac- tice the correct arc length. Learn to distinguish it by its sound.
3.When you are sure that you can hold a short, crack- ling arc, start moving. Look at the molten puddle constantly, and look for the ridge where the metal solidifies.
4.Run beads on a flat plate. Run them parallel to the top edge (the edge farthest away from you). This gives you practice in running straight welds, and also, it gives you an easy way to check your progress. The 10th weld will look considerably bet- ter than the first weld. By constantly checking on your mistakes and your progress, welding will soon be a matter of routine.
Common Metals
Most metals found around the farm or small shop are low carbon steel, sometimes referred to as mild steel. Typical items made with this type of steel include most sheet metal, plate, pipe and rolled shapes such as channels, angle irons and “I’’ beams. This type of steel can usually be easily welded without special pre- cautions. Some steel, however, contains higher car- bon. Typical applications include wear plates, axles, connecting rods, shafts, plowshares and scraper blades. These higher carbon steels can be welded successfully in most cases; however, care must be taken to follow proper procedures, including preheat- ing the metal to be welded and, in some cases, care- fully controlling the temperature during and after the welding process. For further information on identifying various types of steels and other metals, and for prop- er procedures for welding them, we again suggest you purchase a copy of (“New Lessons in Arc Welding” available from the James F. Lincoln arc welding foun- dation).
Regardless of the type of metal being welded, it is important in order to get a quality weld that it be free of oil, paint, rust or other contaminants.
