Welding Tools 2

When the welder touches the welding rod on the work piece:

An electric arc is formed

This electric arc generates:

A tremendous amount of heat and accomplishes three things

First, the heat melts:

The base metal of the material being welded

Second, the heat melts:

The electrode and deposits this metal in the weld as filler

Lastly, the flux on the outside:

Of the electrodes burns and generates gases form a “shield” around the weld

This gaseous shield:

Prevents air from reacting with the hot metal and therefore weakening the weld

As the welder continues the weld:

The electrode burns and becomes shorter

The means that the welder must continue moving the stinger closer:

To the work until the electrode has been consumed

Once the electrode is used up:

The welder breaks off or stops the arc, and a new electrode is placed in the stinger to continue the weld

If more heat is needed to perform the weld:

The welder can increase the amount of electric current that’s supplied by the welding machine

Generally speaking, the larger the pieces that are being welded or the larger the electrode that’s being used:

The greater the amount of current required to get the weld done

The electric arc that is generated during this process:

Gives off a very high intensity light