Articles & Podcast Episodes

A welding gauge chart for Lincoln arc shows the right sizes and types of welding rods, cables, and amperage settings for different processes. It covers Stick Electrode (SMAW), Innershield (FCAW-S), and details on fillet weld sizes. Use this chart to ensure effective and safe welding practices. Stick welding, also known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding … Read more

Welding gloves protect you from electric shock, flames, hot surfaces, sharp metal, and harmful arc rays. They are your first line of defense against hand hazards during welding and cutting. Always select gloves that meet ANSI Standard Z49 to ensure proper protection and safety in welding environments. The design of welding gloves includes extra padding … Read more

Welding duty cycles show how long a welding machine can run. Lighter-duty machines operate at 20% duty cycle. Medium-duty machines run between 40% and 60%. Heavy-duty machines perform at 60% to 80%. These percentages can change based on amperage settings and the machine’s thermal load tolerance. Calculating duty cycles involves understanding the machine’s rated output … Read more

To ground your workpiece without arcing, attach the ground clamp to a clean spot on the workpiece. Place the clamp near your welding area. Clean the metal surface first. Ensure the welding machine connects to the grounding rod correctly. This solid connection helps avoid arc blow and enhances welding safety. You can also ground through … Read more

Inductance in welding impacts arc force and short circuit frequency. Arc time measures how long the electric arc heats the weld pool during a short circuit. Higher inductance leads to a lower frequency of the wire touching the joint. This change can significantly influence the quality of the weld. Anti-stick technology is designed to prevent … Read more

Chapter 3 covers Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) equipment setup and operation. It explains how to connect work leads, manage arc blow, and measure electrical parameters like voltage and amperage. The chapter also discusses proper electrode selection and welding positions for safe and effective performance. The operation guide in this chapter outlines essential steps. It … Read more

The US Army recommends a safe viewing distance of 3 to 20 meters when observing welding arcs for up to 10 minutes. This distance reduces ultraviolet (UV) exposure to below the daily threshold limit value. These guidelines apply to MMA, SMA, MAG, GMA, and FCAW welding processes. Bystanders should wear appropriate protective gear, such as … Read more

The welding arc shot camera effectively captures bright welding arcs. Use DSLRs with manual focus and a high f-stop for clarity. Position the camera away to avoid damage. Choose wide-field lenses with longer focal lengths. Use smaller apertures for better depth of field and apply composition techniques for improved visual clarity and engagement. Position your … Read more

Arc strikes occur when an unintended electrical arc creates marks outside the weld zone. These marks can harm structural integrity. Factors like welding technique and equipment failure can cause arc strikes. To prevent accidental discharge and its negative effects, proper precautions and techniques are essential in the welding process. The impact of these marks usually … Read more

The welding arc temperature in arc welding ranges from 3,500°C to over 20,000°C. This focused heat melts a small area of the workpiece. The arc forms between two conductors, generating intense heat. This localized heat is crucial for the welding process and affects the thermal distribution and efficiency of the weld. Furthermore, arc stability impacts … Read more