How to Weld

Welding is dangerous and requires proper welding safety gear.You should also set up an appropriate work space and use well-maintained tools.

• Always wear a welding helmet to prevent sparks and metal debris from flying into your eyes, and to shield your face from the heat.
• Welding gloves also safeguard you from heat, debris and electric shocks.
• Wear a non-flammable welding apron made from a durable material like leather, which will protect you from flying sparks and metal. Sparks that touch your clothing can cause it to catch fire.
• Make sure your work area is well-ventilated. Choose an open space with good airflow and open windows. Welding vapors are dangerous and should not be inhaled.
• Ground your welding gun’s grounding clamp to your work table. This step will help prevent electrocution.

Your metal must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before welding. If you don’t follow these steps, your weld may not be strong enough.

• To clean the metal, use 80-grit sandpaper to scrape off any rust or paint.
• Wear protective gloves and wipe off the metal with a cloth dipped in a surface solvent. Acetone will remove any remaining debris or dirt.
• When your metal is clean, secure it to your table in a 90-degree angle using the table clamps. Make sure to leave enough room between the metal to add your welding tacks. Check also to see that the metal is laying flat on the table.

Once your metal is prepared, you’re ready to use your welding tools to tack the pieces together.

• Double check to make sure your 90-degree angle hasn't shifted. Grind down the welding tacks and reposition the metal if it’s no longer aligned.
• Stand comfortably with one hand on the trigger of the welder and the other sitting on its barrel, and lean lightly against the table.
• Position your welding gun’s wire to lightly touch the metal at a 20-degree angle.
• Press the trigger and slowly bring the gun toward you to create the welding motion and repeat this step until the metal is welded together.

When welding, the wire should melt evenly and create a consistent crackling sound. If the welding puddle is uneven, adjust the gun's settings and try again.

When your weld is complete, the metal won’t be perfectly smooth. This hot, uneven metal is called slag and must be removed. There are a few ways to achieve this.

• Carefully use a welding hammer to lightly tap the slag. It will chip off in sheets. Be careful not to damage the metal.
• After hammering, clean off the remaining slag with a wire brush.