Welding Study Guide (copy)

GMAW Machine

Constant-voltage welding system that feeds continuous wire electrode with shielding gas, producing efficient semi-automatic welds for metal fabrication and repair applications.

Plasma Cutter

Handheld cutting tool that uses an electric arc and compressed gas to create a high-temperature plasma stream for cutting and gouging metal materials.

Welding Power Supply

Electrical device that converts AC power into controlled welding current, supplying constant current for SMAW/GTAW or constant voltage for GMAW welding processes.

Electrode Holder

Insulated clamp device connected to a welding cable that securely holds a consumable welding rod for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) operations.

GMAW Welding Gun

Handheld tool used in gas metal arc welding that feeds continuous wire and shielding gas through a nozzle to create controlled arc welds.

Ground Clamp

Conductive clamp that attaches a welding cable to the workpiece or table, completing the electrical circuit.

GTAW Torch

Handheld welding tool that holds a non-consumable tungsten electrode and delivers shielding gas to protect the weld area during precise arc welding operations.

Chipping Hammer

Welding cleanup tool with pointed and chisel-shaped head used to remove slag and scale from welds, also known as a slag removal tool.

Contact Tips

Replaceable copper components in GMAW guns that transfer electrical current to the welding wire while guiding it through the nozzle.

GTAW Foot Pedal

Foot-operated control device used in GTAW welding to regulate amperage output in real time, allowing precise heat adjustment while welding without using hands.

Leather Gloves

Heat-resistant leather gauntlet-style protective wear used in welding to shield hands and forearms from sparks, heat, and molten metal exposure.

Welding Nozzle

A tapered, heat-resistant attachment that directs shielding gas and concentrates heat around the weld area, protecting the molten weld pool and improving weld quality.

Switchable Magnet

Magnetic positioning device with an on/off switch used to temporarily hold and align metal pieces at set angles during welding or fabrication work.

Welding Pliers

Multi-purpose welding tool with insulated handles and forged steel jaws used to cut wire, remove spatter, clean nozzles, and grip hot materials safely.

Welding Magnet

Magnetic holding tool used to temporarily position and align metal pieces at fixed angles during welding, helping maintain accuracy before permanent joining.

Welding Helmet

Protective helmet with tinted lens that shields eyes and face from welding arc radiation; auto-darkening models automatically adjust lens shade when the arc is struck.

Hardfacing Electrode

Specialized SMAW welding rod made with alloyed metal and wear-resistant coating, used to deposit hardened, abrasion-resistant layers for surface reinforcement applications.

SMAW Electrode

Consumable shielded metal arc welding rod coated with flux, classified by codes like E6010, where “E” means electrode, “60” equals 60,000 psi strength, “1” all-position use, and “0” cellulose sodium coating for DCEP.

Solid Welding Wire Electrode

Solid GMAW filler wire classified as ER-70S-4, where “ER” indicates electrode/rod, “70” equals 70,000 psi strength, and “S” denotes solid wire with shielding gas compatibility.

Tubular Wire Electrode

Flux-cored tubular welding wire containing internal flux for shielding, used without external gas, with classification indicating strength and welding position capability.

Tungsten Electrode

Non-consumable tungsten rod used in GTAW (TIG) welding to create and maintain an arc without melting during the welding process.

Acetylene Regulator

Pressure-control device used to manage acetylene flow from a cylinder to a torch, featuring left-hand threaded hose connections for safe operation.

Oxygen Regulator

Two-stage pressure-control device used to manage oxygen flow from a cylinder to a torch, featuring right-hand threaded hose connections for safe operation.

Cutting Tip

Replaceable oxy-fuel torch component with central oxygen orifice and surrounding preheat holes, used to direct oxygen flow that oxidizes and cuts metal.

Cutting Torch

Handheld oxy-fuel tool with valves that mix oxygen and acetylene, plus a lever releasing high-pressure oxygen for efficient metal cutting.

Heating Tip

Multi-orifice oxy-fuel torch attachment, also called a rosebud, used to distribute a broad flame for evenly heating and bending metal.

Torch Handle

Central body of an oxy-fuel tool, often called the torch butt, used to control gas flow and attach cutting or welding attachments.

Welding Tip

Replaceable oxy-fuel torch attachment with a small orifice for controlled flame output, available in various sizes to match material thickness and heat requirements.

Flint Spark Lighter

Handheld ignition tool used to safely light oxy-fuel torches, producing ignition sparks when squeezed to ignite gas without using matches or other ignition sources.

Tip Cleaner

Set of small, needle-like round files in various sizes used to clean and maintain torch orifices.

Welding Goggles

Protective eyewear with shaded lenses used in oxy- fuel welding to shield eyes from harmful radiation, bright flame glare, and flying sparks or spatter.

Brazing Rod

Filler metal material used in brazing, typically 1/16–3/16 inch diameter and about 36 inches long, melted to join metals without melting the base material.

Copper Coated Mild Steel

Filler material, typically 1/16–3/16 inch diameter and 36 inches long, used for welding or brazing with improved conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Flux-Coated Brazing Rod

Filler metal, typically 1/8 inch diameter, used to join metals by brazing while its coating cleans and protects the joint during heating.

Spot Welder

Stationary or pedestal-mounted resistance welding machine with two copper electrode tips that clamp overlapping sheet metal and apply pressure and electrical current to form localized welds.