Low-hydrogen electrodes such as E7018 absorb moisture from the air after their sealed packaging is opened. Too much moisture can increase diffusible hydrogen in the weld and contribute to porosity,…
What makes thick plate different A fillet weld joins two surfaces at roughly a right angle, commonly a plate to another plate or to a bracket. On thick material, the…
Removable connectors make stick welder leads easier to store, replace, and extend. The right connector must carry high current without heating, resist accidental contact, and stay locked while you drag…
What Slag Coverage Means With a 7018 stick electrode, slag coverage is the layer of molten flux that floats over the weld puddle and solidifies behind it. It shields the…
Arc starts are where many stick-welding problems begin. The electrode touches the work, the arc fails to establish cleanly, and the rod sticks to the plate instead of burning back.…
Stick electrodes are easy to damage on a job site. The flux coating can chip when rods are tossed into a tool bag, and moisture can turn a reliable electrode…
Choosing DCEN or DCEP for a stick electrode changes arc behavior, penetration, bead shape, and how easily the rod runs. The wrong setting can produce a weak-looking weld, excessive spatter,…
Start With the Electrode, Not the Joint Vertical stick welding is controlled mainly by electrode diameter, rod type, metal thickness, and whether you weld uphill or downhill. The amperage printed…
What Makes a Good High-Amperage Stick Welding Lead For field stick welding, leads are not just accessories. They determine how much current reaches the arc, how easily you can position…
A chipping hammer removes the brittle slag left by stick welding, but the right one depends on how much you weld and where you need to reach. A light hammer…