SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

Hey, I needed to find some good writeups on stick welding how-to's. I am getting a job welding in a small local mine and they need me to weld. I know Mig welding relatively well, but I have never done stick. Any info would be great, especially with pictures.

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

Ive got a whole guide that I printed out but I dont know where it came from anymore... See if theres anything here thats helpfull

http://www.esabna.com/euweb/AWTC/Lesson1_1.htm

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

Practice on some scrap, just don't be affraid to burn through a few pieces of junk.

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

What you need is an assload of scrap to cut up & practice on.

Not gunna be a downer, but it takes alot of practice with stick to be good at it. Atleast... Aslong as the job has any amount of inspection.


The lincoln manual is linke don here somewhere if you can find it.

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

Thanks for the replies. I will probably try and stick to MIG welding, but I wanted to get some pointers if I was gonna try and do some sticking. As far as inspection...hell no. If we had inspections there everything would have to be re-done. The only thing that was done right is the explosives magazine.

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

i have a stick welder, and its really difficult to use. i can only seem to lay a strong, decent looking bead if put my welding rods in the oven for an hour or two on like 350. if they get any moisture in them there fuxored, unless they have the fancy expensive ones that can be submerged under water, like what they use for repairing holes in ships and such. other then that striking it, and getting it going is a problem for me sometimes, maybe not if i had more time using it.

Re: SMAW/Stick welding info needed
 

3/32 is usually too much for cheap welders and LOW amperage.
1/8" is fine from like 75amps to 155ish
anything bigger and its going to be easier to weld, thicker metals take more time/heat in a spot to blow through. just work your way up with rods. 5/64" to start on exhaust and stuff, you get a fuckload more rods per box for same price, and usually it's going to be easier on the wallet if you buy materials.

once you get the hang of stick welding and think you can do okay, turn up the amperage and try doing what you just did. you'll rethink your skills

2 years of misc stick welding and i was alright with 5/64 to 1/8", never really used anything bigger or had a need to. 200amps is a LOT of welding ability..