Stick Welding: #1 Beginner Mistake and How to Fix It
There's often only one thing going wrong and this might be it...
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also known as Manual Metal Arc (MMA) or Stick Welding can be a challenging process for beginners to learn. Check out this video to see how to fix this common mistake among beginners.
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You can learn to weld. I'll show you exactly what to do in my affordable online welding courses at courses.timwelds.com.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I watched this before taking my welding certification test and believe or not I ended up passing in the first try. I did exactly the electrode and material you used in this video. 1/8 steel plate and 7018, the position was horizontal. Now I’ll graduate Highschool with my weld cert. thanks
@@timonraccoon vscss
I remember years ago going to pick up a few bottles of shielding gas from BOC (British Oxygen Company) who also ran specialized welding training courses. At the day I went there they were training stick welding in confined spaces ie welding around a corner with the weld only visible in a mirror. I always hated stick welding but that was impressive.
Hows you eyes after all these years of welding? BOTH my instructors had cataract surgery at 50!
I've been a Welder for 12 years now and I still watch your videos just because you should never stop learning. Great explanaition Tim, great video!
I try to learn at least one new thing each day. The earlier I learn it, the sooner I can take the rest of the day off...lol This video ought to last me a week or so
12 years? And you still can't weld? LOL. Okay then, go learn some stick welding because you not only need instruction in this video but also have no knowledge about what stick welding means. It is nothing as stick because the rods aren't sticks at all if you have welded for 12 years you should be aware that even 12 years ago any kind of welding rods were simple called rods or welding electrodes. Stick, in welding term doesn't make sense, The stick this guy is referring to are the electrodes that we have used for over 70 years and these have always been named welding electrodes, no matter what type they are, stick welding was unheard of until some illiterate, 'no spikka da inglisha' bulshit artist decided to call welding electrodes 'stick', even though they're metal rods coated in welding flux of various powder and chemicals. LMAO! They are simple electrodes, don't make old salt welders stir in their graves at this bulshit stick welding. I say this because I still weld with my trusted Arc welder of 52 years and still use Cigweld Satincraft 13 - 14 welding rods, no matter what type and what numbers they have, they are still welding electrodes, forget the 'stick' bulshit. If you're intelligent, you will understand. But then, you're not. I learned everything, ARC, MIG, TIG, OXY, etc., without assistance. Why? Because I went to University Technical engineering school. That's where at 17 I got the Certificate in 1968. The rest, I learned as I worked in metal industries. Otherwise, arc welding was no problem with me, and no 'stick' nonsense in those day. You either show your interest on the job, or you face the sack. Wish you were there in those days.
No matter how much experiance one has in a particular "thing", you're ALWAYS learning something! Whetherbits something new or something over & over & over. . . . . .its a constant learning experiance! I'm learning how to stick weld from my brother & hopefully I can take welding classes this fall season
How do you know if your weld is strong enough for things like rock sliders or bumpers ? I’m trying to learn as much as I can.
@@dad3562 you’d have to do some research on what tensile strength you’re looking for in your application. Two factors really, the type of terrain you’re going over(jagged rocks or rounder) would dictate how thick the plate needs to be. There could be a high chance it’s not your weld that will break but a rock pierce the plate(angling the plate will help) as for welding rods the first two digits is the tensile strength in PSI. So 7018 is 70,000 psi tensile strength. 60 60,000. Good luck and Godspeed.
As a hobbyist, it might be months in between welding projects. It’s nice to have refreshers like these. Thanks Tim!
You are also an anonymous coward.
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Like you took the words out of my subconscious //
You said it perfect took the words right out of my mouth
That’s exactly why I’m watching right now
As a brand new welder, I wanna thank you for teaching me. I was a little intimidated at first seeming I never had anyone to teach me these things so I'm pretty much self taught w/ most things. The way you break everything down is almost like an "Idiots Guide to Welding." Thank you thank you thank you! 🙏 🤘✊️
Keeping a shorter arc length is also invaluable when you run across metals that have a strong magnetic presence, such as super hard armor plate for example. A shorter arc length also allows you to move a little faster, thus minimizing excessive heat and warpage of thinner materials.
I'm a women and I learned on Oxy/Acet, my welding instructor was awesome and he said women catch on faster if they sew because he has similar movements. I was so happy to hear that! You're a great instructor like he was and it's much appreciated.
❤️
I'm a hobbyist, and this advice is pure diamonds. I'm so happy just to get the spark, and no NOT getting stuck, that I ignore every other parameter. My welds are very uneven, and now I know why !
Po⁰ Y1
As an armature welder that was a great reminder for me, very clear and precise and I imagine this short video will help a lot of people. Thanks.
Tim, I want to say thanks a million bud. I have actively been welding around 8 months and it all started with your videos. If I am unsure about how I'm doing i just watch the videos you've done on that specific area and boom 💥 instantly i know where i'm going wrong. You're a great help and a even bigger inspiration to me and to all who is actively involved in the welding world. So for those who are reading this, hobbyists or pros Tim's the best guy
I just bought a little 14a welder for small household stuff and tinkering in my workshop to make jigs an' stuff. These videos are invaluable to a newbie - and pros alike. Thanks, Tim.
This is definitely it. I was learning to stick weld just being a helper for a welder, he was nice enough to teach me. I always remember him saying "get that stick closer, push it in there" and it took a while for it to get stuck in my mind.
You have the best tips in my opinion. I love how direct and comprehensive, high quality they are. Great for beginners and experts!
Great as usual Tim. Thanks for breaking it down into easy elements to understand. Welding is a little overwhelming when you get started so it's hard to understand what it is you should actually look at in your technique
Someday down the road I might pick up a welder for little projects, your tips and tricks are great because you really do explain the wrong vs right very in a clear and easy to understand way, making it seem like a less daunting idea.
Get one is fun
This was the most simplistic, insightful, lesson I've ever watched, on arc welding. Dude, you are a natural teacher! Great job :) I learned a lot💪
Great video, Tim. Your simple explanations take out all of the mystery. Thank you, and keep them coming.
I love the way that you explain things in your videos man. I'm a total amateur with stick and you breaking things down the way you do is super helpful for me so thank you for that. Take care my dude ✌🏼
Love this guy, no long winded BS straight to the point and very clear
Awhile back I found you're channel, and I had been welding for around 20 years I went to college and university for engineering and we covered welding for about a year. But never once did any one ever tell me about arc length until that day I found you. Then boom over night I went from avoiding stick welding to loving it. So thank you dude
Thanks so much for your help, I’m learning to arc weld on my Ag mechanics team and your videos are great to get ahead. Keep doing what your doing. 👍
I’ve been welding stick for 25 years an I’ve taught a lot of people how to weld an everything you said was spot on dude, keep it up 👍
Thanks Tim , It’s always refreshing to me to see people like yourself teaching and helping others learn what i call the first step in metal fabrication
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Your videos have helped my weld quality improve a lot. Thanks.
I have been watching welding tutorials for years, trying to find the proper relationship and spacing of the electrode to the work. This is the very first description I have seen showing the correct technique. Thank you for the one thing that made my welding look clean and professional.
I just started welding classes for stick this semester at a nearby community college. GI bill pays me to go to college 🇺🇸. Like your video bro!!
Thanks, Tim. I’m a beginner MIG welder looking to start with stick. As always, your videos provide some great information to help me avoid mistakes from the beginning. Always look forward to your insights. Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much!
@@TimWelds Just remeber to tell D. Stein stick welding is just like mig welding except totally different!!
@@chrisinkansas1362 m', , ,, ,
@@TimWelds what size rod in mm and amp do u suggest for welding steel tubing..aprox 1.5- 1.8mm..thnx Tim
Stick welding is much more fun in my opinion! Good luck with getting the hang of it!
A simple, yet comprehensive tutorial, awesome ! Thanks for the tip(s).bud !
Mate thank you so much as a first year apprentice the way you break everything down is so helpful it makes it easier to understand and I appreciate it so much your an Amazing teacher keep up the videos thanks
Thanks so much for your advice. Am a beginner using stick and your advice in your videos is helpful.
Great vid. An old Danish grey beard (Lars From Mars!!lol) told me something that actually stuck “ make sure you are comfortable when welding”. This is probably one of the first things I consider when welding, he didn’t mean comfort as in a padded pillow and good elbow pads. He meant body position, room for your arm to complete the full weld without moving, head position so you could see the end of your weld, etc. Cheers 👍🏻
Your course is excellent! I just subscribed and I've already learned a ton... super clear and easy to understand! Thank you!
I appreciate every detail and tip that was shared in this video. As always, guys, your weld is only as good as your rod is dry and your material is clean!
Like others have said, this is the first time I've seen an explanation about how arc length affects the weld quality - thanks!!!!!!!!
haven't welding in 10 years. but this is a great reminder. thank you.
I have not welded since high school. Thank you for putting these videos out. It’s a Great refreshing my memory. It’s harder now than I remember. Practice practice practice. I’m redoing a boat trailer and I’m trying the best i can. Hopefully I put the axle together straight and welds go solid. Thanks again Kurt. Nc
You help me my problem was not keeping a shorter arc doing so improve my welding thanks man!!
Very informative video. Took me a bit before I learned to take a moment to look at the work being done so I could find a good/comfortable position to be able to maintain a good and consistent weld whether it was stick, MIG, TIG etc.
I'm no welder, but I do break out the welding machine once in a while because I work as a mechanic. It was my eureka moment when you showed me the end of the rod and said how some of the arc is actually hidden. I will use what I learned here on the next time I weld with stick!
I agree, see a lot of my fellow students running off to far or to high. I think it takes time but you did a great job teaching this
Wish you'd been my instructor in welding class. You finally explained why I had so many problems.
You rock, Tim. Your videos have been very helpful.
Today was my first time stick welding and i did a lot better thanks to your videos.
Well said, this is especially important when running overhead unless you want the puddle to fall on you.
Another great video. I appreciate your videos being short and to the point.
This is FANTASTIC! So very helpful to building skills and satisfying results. THANK YOU!
Awesome video! Lots of education/knowledge from a great instructor! Thank you for sharing.
I keep forgetting about my arc length. Im a student who just hit phase 2 in my welding program so this reminder is very useful. Subscribed.
I just learned it yesterday on my own and stick welding for me has been turned into fun from nightmare since
Great video, thanks for all the work you put in it! I really enjoyed learning this stuff!
Thank you for taking the time to teach.
6010 is especially confusing on arc length because it digs so deep into the metal. you almost have to bury the electrode below the surface of the metal sometimes to keep it from coning out real bad
Thank you so much for all precise videos and explanations. Keep it up sir!
great video was just having this problem in welding class yesterday thanks
Thanks for this. I'm having an inordinate amount of trouble with positioning my body so that I can make it through an entire weld. (I have very short arms.) I find that every time, about a third or half-way through, I have to shift somehow to make the rest of the weld happen, which just makes the whole thing suck. It would be great to see an entire video on different body positioning techniques, even just for flat welds.
Great video, we just watched it in welding class, I think this will really help. Keep killin' it broseph.
thanks for the info's! im just waiting for an opening to our training center to start learning, you tackled some key points to remember especially for beginners with no hands-on experience at all, at least i have some things to keep in mind, i'll keep on watching your tips and tricks vids for more! thanks sir! from the philippines.
Hi. Thank you very much. You videos and lessons help so much with the learning curve. I am sure that you have the best tutorials here on youtbe. 🙏
Thanks Tim I be stick welding myself but Looking into Getting a Mig Welder pretty soon thanks for the video very informative
Thanks Tim. I really appreciate your teaching.
Thanks for all the videos you post it’s helping me a lot!
Good info. Im just learning to weld and you do a good job explaining things. Now i just need to learn how to execute what you are teaching. Thanks for sharing
Thanks!
Clear concise a natural teacher
Thanks for this video great explanation for someone as me im doing a class on stick welding and im still learning also gonna make this my hobby great explanation and teacher
This is the best instruction channel on KZhead. 👍
This is the video I have been looking for days thanks man
I'm totally new to welding, I got myself a new MMA kit so I finally learn, even if well into my 50's. Your videos are helping me learn the techniques. One thing I need is thicker electrodes, only have a box of 2.5mm so far. Cheers mate.
I wish u good luck , I’m also new to welding and i live in a patriarchal society and believe me when i say I’m the first woman welder in this area and im struggling but giving up its never an option no matter what ❤️
@@linahaliti2914 keep going Lina, we need more women like you :)
Channels like yours are the reason the internet was created. Thanks for all your videos Tim.
The Internet was actually created so the government could keep taxing you in the event of a nuclear holocaust. You don't want to know why the interstate highway system was created either. It wasn't so you could take your kids to Disney World.
That video was nicely spot-on. Thank you!
Thanks! Greetings from Patagonia Chile!!
this video really motivates me in doing my job. I hope it also educates others, thanks for all the knowledge👍🏻👍🏻
thanks for getting the point across right at the beginning. Appreciate it!
It's a good refresher. Thanks
Thank you very much for your clear explanations. Greeting from the Netherlands.
Taught welding for six years. Arc length is the number one problem for beginners. I think it comes from first being afraid of getting their rod stuck and then because they don't see the puddle or understand what to look for. Wish i had videos like this to show students back then
Fantastic video. Concise and helpful.
Great stuff! Can't wait to see what else you created... Cheers!
I generally run 7018 right in the puddle. 100 - 120 amps for 1/8" rod will keep it from sticking after a couple of seconds of arc.
Tim, you keep teaching and I may have to sell my grinders👍✅👌…… thank you kind Sir.
Thanks for this video to make my welds look better also 7018 is my favorite to use
thank you for your efforts Sir!
Thanks. Good info. Paul
Thanks for the valuable advice.
Very helpful ! Thank you from UK!
Awesome advice, thank you!
Thanks mate, that was very helpful
Awesome info and thanks for sharing brother.
What you say about the arc length is so true
Very helpful thanks 😊
Thank you for translating the measurements to millimeters. Now the rest of the world understands the story better.
Going into welding for the first time. I just got a small / inexpensive inverter stick welder. Your videos will be very helpful. Sub’d
Well. I don’t know if you mentioned it in your videos already. I’m building a fence and welding is one of the the duties of mine. Bought one of the small stick welders and got kinda crazy about it because it wasn’t the results I hoped for. No arc ore proper welding possible and I thought I’m too damn old & forgot how to do welding. Was close to carry it back to the store and hire someone to finish my fence construction. Until I didn’t use the extension cord with the welder on my last try. Boy! What a difference it was. Proper welding like in my younger days. So a extension cord of 25 ft gave me headaches and questioning myself of my knowledge. I can’t remember ( it’s 43 years ago) if it was ever mentioned that an extension cord can minimize the amperage of an welder unit. I have to buy or borrow a extension cord with a much bigger diameter and try it out to see if there is a change. Let me know anyone who knows about amperage dropping with extension cords please. Thanks!
Thanks Tim, your my go to!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I’m just now starting welding in school and I want to get ahead of my class so I’m here
Im watching your videos because Im just starting welding school. My first actual welding class is stick welding and im only 2 days in, and let me tell you, its hard on me. The class moves kinda fast and I dont feel like im making much progress. I know 2 days isn’t much but its only a 1 month class (1 month basic stick and 1 month advanced stick next) Just trying to get all the info I can to help improve my welding and use my time wisely
I should have warched this before I did the job instead of after to find out where I went wrong. Thanks for posting.
As a for fun and junk in the yard welder I learned something thanks
Thanks for the tips
Thank you for all the useful pointers & tricks & tips ^^ well said! Warm regards & happy welding^^
Another great explanation.