Advertisement
LEARN
BY DO|NG
DIRECTIOH
OFWELD
Experience has proven that short periods of practice
at
regutar
intervals are the best way to teach yourself
how
to weld. As learning
to weld is simply a process of trial
and error, all practice work should be done on scrap metal
that can be discarded. Do not attempt to make repairs on
valuable
equipment
until you have satisfied yourself that
your practice welds are of good appearance
arid free of
slag or gas inclusions. Remember, what you fail to tearn
while
practicing,
must be ]earned
through
a series of
mistakes and rewetds later on.
A comfortable
body
position is important
when learning,
as tensed muscles will result in fatigue and lack of control.
Sit on a tow stool and grasp the electrode holder in one
hand with the cable drawn across the lap. Allow enough
slack to move the holder freely and yet keep the weight
and drag of a long length of cable from becoming tiring.
The
work
connection
is as much
a part
of the
welding
circuit
as the
cable
and electrode
holder,
A poor
work
connection
can
render
the
best
welding
equipment
inefficient.
When
using a table
with
a steel top,
fasten
the
tug of the work
cable
to it securely
with
a bolt or C-c_amp,
so that
any
piece
of
iron placed
on
the table top
will
be
properly
grounded.
If a steel table
is not used, connect
the
work
cable directly
to the work
with
a work
clamp
or belt.
Select a fairly
large piece of steel plate approximately
1/4-inch
thick and clamp it to the table top to prevent it
from lifting, should the electrode stick or "freeze"
when
/
/
tl
f
/
Figure
1
To strike an arc, scratch the
end of the rnd on the plate
and then quickly raise ap-
proximately 1/8-inch.
I
90':
first
attempting
to weld.
Insert a small, mild-steel
welding
electrode
in the electrode
holder
and connect
the welding
cables
to produce
the
heat
specified
by
the
CONTROL
panel.
Connect
the ground
cable to the work
and set the
indicator
in
the
current
range
recommended
for
the
diameter
of rod used.
Any method of bringing
the tip of the rod in contact with
the work, then quickly raising it until there is approximately
a 1/8-inch gap between the rod and the work, will start an
arc. The easiest way for a beginner to strike an arc is to
scratch the tip of the rod a short distance on the surface of
the work, as you would a match, then lift it (quickly) the re-
quired 1/8-inch (fig. 1). Another method is to strike the work
a hard blow with the tip of the rod and aIIow it to bounce
up to form the arc gap. The important
thing is to strike
the arc quicNy and not allow the rod to remain in contact
with the work.
A common
mis{ake
often
made
by
a beginner
is to point
the rod
toward
the work
and,
after
lowering
the helmet,
feel slowly
about
until
the tip of the rod touches
the work.
This
always
results
in sticking
or
"freezing"
of
the
rod
which
produces
a direct
short
circuit.
When this occurs
the
rod
can be loosened
by bending
it from
side to side while
pulling
on the holder
(fig. 2). If this
fails, turn
the welder
off.
The electrode
must
be released
in a matter
of seconds
to avoid
unnecessary
heating
of the
welder
or damage
to
the flux
coating
on the rod.
Figure 2
Should the rod stick ur
"freeze"
bend it frum side
to side while pulling upward
un the rod holder.
\
\
\
\
\
_/?/////////,_
i
j HJInn
I
i /
....... s/ /.
i :V /
!
!
/
t
9
¢
_/_ ¢?'///////1,,_
Advertisement
