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LEARN BY DOBNG
OIRECTiON
OFWELG
Experience has proven that short periods of practice at
regular intervals are the best way to teach yourself how
to weld. As learning to weld is simply a process of trial
and error, all practice work should be done on scrap metal
that can be discarded. Do not attempt to make repairs on
valuable equipment until you have satisfied yourself that
your practice welds are of good appearance and free of
slag or gas inclusions. Remember, what you fail to learn
while practicing, must be learned through a series of
mistakes and rewelds later am
A comfortable body position is important when learning,
as tensed muscles will result in fatigue and lack of control.
Sit on a low stool and grasp the electrode holder in one
hand with the cable drawn across the lap. Allow enough
slack to move the holder freely and yet keep the weight
and drag of a long length of cable from becoming tiring,
The ground connection is as much a part of the welding
circuit as the cable and electrode holder_ A poor ground
connection can render the best welding equipment ineffi-
cient. When using a table with a steel top, fasten the lug of
the ground cable to it securely with a bolt or C<lamp, sothat
any piece of iron placed on the table top will be propedy
grounded. If a steel table is not used, connect the ground
cable d_recfly to the work with a ground clamp or bolt
Select a fairly large piece of steel plate approximately
1/4-inch thick and clamp it to the table top to prevent it
from lifting, should the electrode stick or "freeze" when
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90
first attempting to weld. insert a small, mild-steel welding
electrode in the electrode holder and connect the welding
cables to produce the heat specified by the CONTROL
panel Connect the ground cable to the work and set the
indicator in the current range recommended for the
diameter of rod used.
Any method of bringing the tip of the rod in contact with
the work, then quickly raising it until there is approximately
a 1/8-inch gap between the rod and the work, will start an
arc_ The easiest way for a beginner to strike an arc is to
scratch the tip of the rod a short distance on the surface of
the work, as you would a match, then lift it (quickly) the re-
quired 1/8-1nch (fig. 1). Another method is to strike the work
a hard blow with the tip of the rod and allow it to bounce
up to form the arc gap. The important thing is to strike
the arc qelckly and not allow the rod to remain in contact
with the work
A common mistake often made by a beginner is to point
the rod toward the work and, after lowering the helmet,
feel slowly about until the tip of the rod touches the work.
This always results in sticking or "freezing" of the rod
which produces a direct short circuiL When this occurs the
rod can be loosened by bending it from side to side while
pulling on the holder (fig 2). If this fails, turn the welder
off_ The electrode must be released in a matter of seconds
to avoid unnecessary heating of the welder or damage to
the flux coating on the rod
,'/,'II'U]I
,,',/
Figure 1
To strike an arc, scratch the
end nf the red ne the plate
and then quickly raise ap-
proximately 1/8-inch,
Figure 2
Should the rod stick or
"freeze" bend it from side
to side while palling upward
on the rod ho_er.
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1-5
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