How to Strike an Arc: Stick Welding Basics for Beginners

Рет қаралды 1,216,641

Күн бұрын

When starting out with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also known as Stick Welding, striking an arc is the first challenge to overcome. If you're wondering how to keep your rod from sticking, check out the tips in this video.
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Пікірлер: 540

@tomthumb5445 3 жыл бұрын

I struck my first arc in 1971 in shop class. By 1979 I was a licensed fitter welder, I retired this past August 2020. Great career choice. My 21 year old grandson is currently nearing the end of his welding school. :)

@BobTheBreaker9 3 жыл бұрын

Very cool.. my father was a welder almost 30 years however retired early cuz he hated having 20 year olds coming out of school licensed and making more than him instantly

@xl000 3 жыл бұрын

Cool. I weld as a hobby, and I don't really understand why people have to go to schools to learn this. You can learn most of the skills in three afternoons, including breaks.

@tomthumb5445 3 жыл бұрын

@@xl000 Our world used to be get in there and figure it out. Now it is all about the credentials.

@Delta-2-0 3 жыл бұрын

@@xl000 you need to get a license to be allowed to get a job in welding for buildings or ships, atleast in the Philippines. I was almost a certified SMAW/ stick welder i just quit lol

@matan7668 3 жыл бұрын

@@xl000 the school I'm at will cwb license me after 8 months up to 6g license plus options for mig, tig, stainless, structural. Private colleges are worth the money.

@chuckfischer7202 3 жыл бұрын

I thought it was called stick welding cause that's what the rod always does. Good tips, thanks.

@AflipKID91 2 жыл бұрын

Haha good one

@ES-hm5oc 2 жыл бұрын

Nice one if that were true then I’m the best stick welder in town, mine stick so good i have to release the rod from my electrode welder

@danielsammott1018 2 жыл бұрын

Ui Pp

@jripn8543 2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@rectum5754 2 жыл бұрын

@@ES-hm5oc hehe same here, good work 🤙

@miamatti 3 жыл бұрын

You're much more approachable and watchable than many of of the other welding channels... much more well spoken and knowledgeable as well

@ncstonecrew 3 жыл бұрын

I totally agree! Good teacher.

@simphiwelehlohonolo4961 2 жыл бұрын

True

@nickstein3129 3 жыл бұрын

A lot of welding channels come off as super condescending to beginners. Your channel doesn't do that. Your very personable. I really appreciate it.

@cwoodside907 Жыл бұрын

I took 3 semesters of welding in community college and had a natural knack for it. 13 military years later, I’m soon restarting my youthful trade as a professional welder in a U.S navy shipyard. My weld instructor showed a “push and twist” arc start technique. Think of a 90 degree perpendicular axis with your electrode & wrist. As you come in for the first contact, “push and twist” the electrode. That 90 degree twist can help eliminate a potential electrode stick over the conventional match strike or scrape technique. Depending on the thickness, he also bent his electrodes in the stinger about 90 degrees. This gave the stinger more grip within the clamp to help from sticking or added tension to help pull it out when you did without leaving your electrode behind. Thought this was worth sharing 🙂

@nicholashillikergod1stmini214 11 күн бұрын

Great info I'm gonna try it! Thank you sir

@DursunX Жыл бұрын

im self taught. i work in IT (but love to fabricate). i start my arc on a scrap plate clamped to my job piece. gets the tip clean & hot, this makes my first contact easy and predictable on thin wall tubing. i have a $90 stick machine and zero training. these videos make life easier for anyone that lacks a teacher or experience💪🏼

@adrianrodriguez4660 3 жыл бұрын

Bro finally a person that actually makes sense for beginners lol. Glad I found your channel 🙏🏼

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@crawling86 2 жыл бұрын

🙏

@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230 Жыл бұрын

This is helpful, as well as your other tutorials. I actually did my first welding project at 10 yrs old with my father who was a welder for 35 years before retiring. He learned how to weld in the army and when he got home, he went thru an apprenticeship. We used to take trips to the junkyard for interesting items to make into animals. I had my bucket and after it was filled with goodies from metal pieces to large nuts and bolts. I made crickets, turtles, and all kinds of creatures. Dad is long gone now, but every once in a while I'll be thinking of him and I'll get a whiff of his cheap "Money Maker" Cigars and it brings me right back to those early years. Thank you pop. Your tutorials have really helped refresh my memory and it is like riding a bike- you never really forget how to ride...

@paddydukes4889 2 жыл бұрын

I'm really glad I stumbled upon this channel. I started working for a construction company as a fleet mechanic last year, and while I had experience with MIG over my past decade in automotive dealerships it was nowhere near enough welding experience to keep up with the workload here. Our higher ups were supposed to send me and another of my coworkers to welding classes to get up to speed, but staffing shortages in our shop and money shortages in the company kept us tied to the shop in order to keep things going. I was going to sign up for welding classes at our local community college just to get it done, but Covid restrictions made the wait list 8 months long at a minimum. I tried teaching myself stick welding but it did not go well AT ALL. This channel has taught me a lot in just a short few days and helped me to work on my weak spots and learn A LOT of new skills, all for just the cost of my time. So for that, thank you, Tim. You're doing a great job and I hope to learn more from you in the future!

@mikeemmons1079 Жыл бұрын

I respect the commitment expressed in this comment.

@Dee-qo7gh 3 жыл бұрын

I like the way he explain things, in a way you get it, A lot of people who makes videos don't have that gift and leave you confused.

@pixelbender896 2 жыл бұрын

He has a great teaching mentality dont he? I have sbs small brain syndrome so its ez to learn from him

@KE010101 3 жыл бұрын

Tim I watched one of your YT videos yesterday and implemented your tips. I was amazed because by implementing your tips my welds starting looking professional where as prior to watching that video of yours my welds weren't even acceptable. And prior to watching your video yesterday I had watched a dozen or so other welding videos. Thanks for the brief education contained in your videos! When your welds come out looking good its a lot more fun to do this.

@allenfoster8859 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting. I just bought a cheap 110v stick welder and did a really crappy but serviceable weld on a license plate bracket (first weld ever). Watching your examples of all the different variables is really helping me figure out what I did wrong. This is a great channel for a beginner like me to learn from.

@haigjansz5643 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, even after I have been welding on and off over 25 years. I find a new electrode on a new weld is more prone to sticking until it has been struck and used a little. After is is warm it is much easier. I also find rubbing the end of a new rod on the concrete helps to get the flux off the edge and enables the strike.

@jasondoust4935 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim! Got me rolling and I was able to fix my balcony handrail with dad's old arc welder. Dad taught me the very basics about twenty years ago, and I got spoiled with a MIG welder at the college I worked at. It was nice to dust his gear off and put it to use.

@jku72 8 ай бұрын

I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have this channel available. This is definitely the best welding instruction I’ve ever seen.

@buildonbudgetph4662 3 жыл бұрын

Watching this makes me so eager to do my first weld. Thanks!

@renatasimoni4818 2 жыл бұрын

Really cool pal. I'm Brazilian and an English teacher as well.Some of my students who are welders asked me to help them about the welding literature in English. And you have been helping me a great deal. Thanks again.

@normanrhone2791 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim, really practical points, explained in a simple, and straightforward way.

@WeeAethan 3 жыл бұрын

So glad I found you just now. You’re very detailed your explanations. Really appreciate it thanks.

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@nicholasmorland2392 3 жыл бұрын

Love your videos mate. Hoping to tackle my first project Friday. Nice to see someone putting out great, positive content for the world 👍

@markhemann5998 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks bro! You are much nicer than a lot of guys that belittle you for being a rookie!👊

@wilhard45 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the good memories. I remember sitting down in our apprentice shop the first time and learning to strike my first arcs.

@wcompto 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with “D”, your attitude and approach are SO much better than 75% of the welding videos out there. It seems like almost everyone talks down to the audience, but you don’t have the, “ I’m a pro and you are lucky I’ll even talk to you!” Arrogant attitude. Thanks for your vids Tim!

@AsymptoteInverse 3 жыл бұрын

I'm just starting to learn to stick weld (and to weld in general), and videos like this are already coming in really handy.

@MannenFromNorth 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for such a simple video 🙌 Just got a new assignment to my work and I'll be starting to weld together large skeletons for docks and it was a pain as it was my first time and just had to figure it out somehow. This video explains alot, thanks 🙌

@EripolJem 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Tim, just struck my first arc today. So happy that I have to rewatch this video to help me when the stick practically just sticks to the plate. LOL. so happy.

@MuayThaiDreadlock 2 жыл бұрын

Ive been mig welding for a few months now and bought a cheap 3 in 1 machine from amazon...and i mean cheap in every sense of the word. Wasnt sure if its total junk or if its because im a greenhorn, but i couldnt get the stick to arc but only once by chance. This is giving me a LOT more confidence in my purchase an myself. Thanks Tim.

@lukeclifford8627 3 жыл бұрын

Most simple explanation I've seen so far, thank you

@jamesramirez523 3 жыл бұрын

Duuude this is the best channel I’ve found so far for beginner tips. Thanks for the great content man.

@aerialrescuesolutions3277 3 жыл бұрын

If I hadn't already subscribed, I would be again... Double great video. Tim, you have a natural style of teaching. Keep going baby. Stay safe, Jim Tree

@derekdeemie2074 7 ай бұрын

Awesome channel brother! A little over 20 years ago, I was an iron worker. I sanded, painted, and loaded flatbed trucks for delivery. Then I began being taught how to weld. The second morning I was to train, that sad day 9/11 happened. The next day, I was laid off, never to return to my welding journey. Now, I'm old and trying to teach myself how to weld. I bought one of those cheap little 20amp to 120amp welders and have attempted to practice at night. Two separate times, about 20 minutes each, all I managed to do was stick the rod to the piece, melt the piece, or turn it into Swiss cheese. You're right, SO frustrating. So I have KZfaqd the topic and luckily I found you. You seem easy to learn from and not a dick like I remember the iron worker teaching me was. Thank you for this video and this channel! I think I will learn a lot from you.

@JaimeWulf Жыл бұрын

Very helpful, TY! New Sub here for sure... I'm an OJT Mig welder since 96'... Factory floor assembly work mostly so my technical knowledge about welding leaves much to be desired... I really connected with your words on muscle memory as well... I struggled for a while initially learning Mig, but was in a spot where I was given the time to get the hang of it as it were... One day, it felt like it suddenly started coming to me more naturally...

@FATEShadow2006 Жыл бұрын

With your video I was able to strike an arc for the first time and was able to hold it. Glad I found you videos THANK YOU.

@crawling86 2 жыл бұрын

Genius. We need more people in the world like you!

@ivoryquays6661 Жыл бұрын

Great presentation. Clear and to the point. Kudos.

@niko_bean Жыл бұрын

You're a super likeable guy. Very easy to learn from. Can't wait till I'm striking an arc without thinking about it. Thanks for the video

@kerrygibbs8198 3 жыл бұрын

Thank You for the great information. You showed us some great tips. Your demeanor made receiving the information enjoyable.

@fnafplayer6447 5 ай бұрын

I just got my ESAB Rebel 205ci for Christmas and this definitely has helped open my eye up to stick welding, I took a class on it and I always had it stick or never wanted to go and I never thought of the sandpaper or file trick.

@markharrisllb 3 жыл бұрын

I definitely think I’m too aggressive striking my initial arc, thank you that tip on its own is priceless.

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I know that's what I struggled with for quite a while.

@krisconroy285 3 жыл бұрын

I tried my first stick weld today. Welding two hinges on a gas bottle wood burner door. The stick got stuck and the heat travelled all the way up it and began to glow. It actually scared me a bit. I’m going to try it again now after watching your video. Thanks for the tips. 🇬🇧

@WouterB76 Жыл бұрын

Subscribed yesterday because after watching one video i knew you are able to teach me a lot of basic welding principles.

@canamrider7195 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I am just learning and find your tutorials very helpful.

@trpfan767 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much me and my grandpa 13 and 79 are beginning stick welding and we have this problem a lot now I actually know how to strike an ark thank you so much

@Shedoesdiy 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! I was erring on the low side of my Amps and welding my rod every dang time I tried to strike an arc! Frustrating is a kind way of putting it!! Lol Thanks to you, I turned that bad boy up and haven't had much trouble since! Much appreciated 😊

@shadowcard6923 3 жыл бұрын

For me just starting out, I learned using a forward match strike. Seemed to work well as it preps your position, let’s you ark and drag it back to weld over, and it’s almost like the coating keeps you from actually touching the plate after. I forget where I got the trick from.

@Thomas-pq4ys 8 ай бұрын

I've done a lot of MIG and TIG.... i never did stick, but bought a TIG machine with stick capabilities... I made all the mistakes you mentioned.... Thanks for this.

@hm333444 3 жыл бұрын

Super informative thank you sir! I will check out more stuff of yours as I start welding school on Monday

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I really enjoyed welding school; I was always looking for little hacks to get the most out of my time there. Best of luck!

@ES-hm5oc 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for basically teaching me to weld, recently bought a harbor freight welder for non critical welding hobby stuff, I have run into an issue I cannot find any info on or maybe I’m wording my search incorrectly. My welding rod, 6011, has a big fizz or sparkler effect every so often. I have been welding conduit pipe very thin, I should probably use 6013 but I’ve become quite proficient at welding this stuff by striking an arc letting it sit for about one second then pull away, doing this over and over until i get all the way around otherwise the conduit pipe 1/8” probably a little less just blows out big time. Basically I’ve been learning to weld on this stuff, your direction for amps and how to strike an arc was such valuable information thank you. I have never even welded thicker metal that wasn’t round yet but after 20 or so rods I’m no longer embarrassed by my welds and even got a compliment from a trade school welder. But why does my rod act like a sparkler at times, this typically happens when i pull away and the rod is several inches away from the metal but has a big fizz like the last seconds of a sparkler

@jimmymaracas6442 8 ай бұрын

I’m new too and you probably have this long answered by now buuut the further away your rod, the wider and more cone shaped the arc will be. Get the rod closer and the arc will be smaller and more spherical rather than cone shaped.

@omskariyazmaraikayer913 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent explanation Mr. Tim . thank you.

@manoomunicnent1773 3 жыл бұрын

Long time since I did any welding but I used to strike an arc by what I can only describe as "bouncing" the rod tip with a slight flick of the wrist movement. It's a way to start which if you bounce too much you just start again but you avoid sticking the rod to the work peice.

@anthonywarner3610 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, great video, well presented.

@justinbarton8808 2 жыл бұрын

these videos are really helpful, thank you for the tips. A Really good channel for beginners like me.

@norbertt.t6444 8 күн бұрын

Great video , you are a great teacher .

@carmenallocco6497 Жыл бұрын

Thanks , watching your videos is enjoyable and knowledgeable

@beerbroproductions3746 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I recently started to learn how to stick weld and today I got super frustrated not being able to strike an arc and the stick kept getting stuck. I ended up putting it down for the day over frustration. Im not discouraged but this video made me feel better.

@ivanbadenhorst242 Жыл бұрын

your videos are amazing!! Best one out there by far. thanks so much

@kacperko7624 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video. I needed one when I was starting learning stick welding an I couldn't find one.

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It's kind of hard to explain, but you can't weld much without striking an arc, so I thought it would be a worthwhile video.

@webosm6494 3 жыл бұрын

I had all the troubles mentioned when i started. :) My biggest problem was the length of the stick and to keep it stable and the right distance from the material. Solved it by holding the rod in the middle, much more stable and striking an arc and a nice bead became much simpler. Then i cut the rods in two for the same reason. After a while it becomes easier and full length rods are no problem anymore.

@mad_mechanic 2 жыл бұрын

I keep wondering why I only have a problem with brand new sticks sticking definitely going to try cutting them in half now good idea

@ES-hm5oc 2 жыл бұрын

Me too I’m not good at handling the long rod…. Oh boy this is sounding like something other than welding

@czar89031 9 ай бұрын

This is my first time using this electrode welding, i am a retired Chef's from Las Vegas, Nv. US now i am in Thailand, i don't like to buy wood for creating a table or other kind of furnitures because wood in Thailand are not 100% perfect there are tiny holes in it covered by saw dust that seems to be perfect but this are the tiny nest of a termites, i have to learn welding because i can create a metal furniture & on top of this, termites don't eat metals, i practice each time i have free time welding & i prefer my study from your website, i created me a portable sink using metal like 1cm x 2cm x 13 meters in US they used inch, also i created me a rest area by the farm using metal & cement but the surroundings are termites colony, i like your video, thank you for showing me more to master this kind of profession

@tyleralm1078 2 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful! Nice video

@andrewarmstrong4710 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers bro, always getting my electrode stuck. Thanks for the tips

@GadgetRebel Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Always great advice

@isaacderr2799 3 жыл бұрын

Great video and seems like such a decent dude!

@vincentdelgado5064 2 жыл бұрын

I’m a freshman in welding shop class and after the first day, I was already interested.

@inconspicuous4507 2 жыл бұрын

This was really, really helpful, I am a student in welding and I kept having my rod stick to the steel, so this was immensely helpful. I was also using a 7018 rod on 120 amperage, so it’s sorta my fault, but this helped me get it for the few times it didn’t stick.

@adanramirez1353 2 жыл бұрын

so what rod is best for 120 amperage ? lol

@dennisyoung4631 Жыл бұрын

@@adanramirez1353 1/8 inch?

@johnvonmartin7501 Жыл бұрын

I suggest set it to 150

@caravaggiosaccomplice7841 3 жыл бұрын

Nice tips. My welds are like jam but really strong. Gotta love welding.

@maustinau 3 жыл бұрын

Another hugely helpful video Tim, thank you so much for the information! Again you've taught me several things I'd never found out about this and I'm excited to put them into practice! Keep up the amazing work mate and stay safe till next time :)

@markroberts715 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely love your vids man,thanks for the info

@frankiemontantes 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you this did help a lot!

@MrAngel2U Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the content sir!

@raybeaudry463 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks mang your a life saver 👍

@troydunn6005 3 жыл бұрын

Eureka! I struck my first arc today. I did have the amps too low and was striking way too hard. Thanks Tim. You got me going.

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! So glad it helped!

@woodsmanjay5833 2 жыл бұрын

I love running stick very satisfying when done right

@wilsonwilliam5296 3 жыл бұрын

Simple but useful tips 👍

@jamescraig3046 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you - this is really helpful.

@michaelinkster4977 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative video, thanks!

@Gotmilkk Ай бұрын

I stuck my first ark and i was so happy and lost my weld but now im gettin better just learning from mistakes and teach your self is my best advice

@AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt 9 ай бұрын

I’ve never welded anything till yesterday, I suck. But found it fascinating and memorizing to watch it melt.

@ronb1071 2 жыл бұрын

A lot of people don't know that you can also preheat your rod by touching the table or your work with the rod straight up and down and keeping pressure for eight to ten seconds, or until steam has released from the rod. It will stay hot for a minute and will be less likely to do a blow out on material thinner than your rod and also make a smoother looking finnish weld bead.

@danielchambers1958 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the info . . .just purchased a Mig/Stick machine . . .Stick seems to be the cheapest, but hardest to learn:)

@joema7886 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your awesome video

@charlesbabineaux839 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I am new to this you were easy to follow I hope to stay with you, thanks again.

@dankenly9133 3 ай бұрын

These are wonderful options. I used to scrape the rod on the concrete floor.

@BrettDalton 3 жыл бұрын

On cleaning the end of a the electrode. I keep a small chunk of concrete paver on my bench to tap on, avoids it flashing and leaving arc strikes but is also super good

@andrevisser7605 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for giving me arc eyes now I battle to see the like button. 😄

@mikejohn3265 2 жыл бұрын

He just gave all of us flash burn. Thanks buddy. Kidding. Thanks for the video.

@son_of_hiskingdom5092 2 жыл бұрын

you have inspired me to start trying arc welding again, i gave up because of the vary reasons you mentioned. i used to do it in high school but was really foolish not taking it seriously and now, im going to start home projects and sell things i make. i know that seeing is not exactly able to do, but it does help quite a bit. thank you for your information. you are very wise.

@juremyclorkson3518 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for useful info

@mck3131 3 жыл бұрын

You’re my hero. I hate to be that guy. But I’m a welding noob. I purchased my own arc welder because I’ve always wanted to learn. I’ve done ALOT of research and reading, today was the first day I fired it up... I suck! I found it very difficult to strike and arc. My electrode got stuck almost every time. After an hour of practice I looked at my masterpiece which consisted of a black piece of thin metal. I had a blast and can’t wait to practice more. Thank you for these detailed tips for beginners.

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment! The 3 things that really matter are your arc length, rod angle and travel speed. If you get those right, you'll be in good shape. Weld on!

@kevinbodnar448 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tutorial cheers, I'm just learning how to stick weld any advice much appreciated, kev from the UK 👍

@josiahmichel1734 3 жыл бұрын

You can use the screws on the side of the electrode holder as well

@ivomolendijk2910 3 жыл бұрын

And in nederland also

@mikeemmons1079 Жыл бұрын

I am sure I could have learned a lot of this stuff when I was a kid sweeping the floor of my dad's body shop. But I was a 14 year old twerp. So here I am playing catch up at 52 so my grandson can have a broader choice of career options. Thanks in advance for all the crutches you are going to provide. Between KZfaq, and stubbornness, I will educate this child! lol

@st170restoration 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Thanks!

@63Malone 3 жыл бұрын

I agree with "dan" that you are very approachable and watchable. Some videos I find there are bit and pieces I must be familiar with before the content makes sense especially the jargon. Tim's videos are like watch and learn within it. Excellent work. I can't start building sh_t I am so excited. :)

@TimWelds 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that! Have fun!

@muriellivermore2560 Жыл бұрын

Huge help!

@Splits-man Жыл бұрын

Great advice. Thanks

@hstrong97 3 жыл бұрын

Keep the videos coming

@TaitGuy Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Tim Great tips... Always appreciate! I'm a newbie here! I like the idea of the marker on the practice plate.... I will try that...Meantime, I'm having fun watching myself progress!