Learn to cook with electric welding. How to cook with arc welding

Today, welding is the most popular, simple and reliable method of joining metal parts. To do this, you need to have knowledge and practical skills on how to use welding. To understand how to weld by welding, you first need to go through the theoretical part, and then proceed to develop practical skills. This process is not difficult, but it is necessary to familiarize yourself with many aspects before mastering the practical aspects of this process. We will teach you how to use the welding machine to get a perfectly even and correct seam, even if you have never encountered it before.

Before learning how to weld, you need to understand the essence of the work of the welding machine. It consists in the following: the unit, connected to the eclectic network, provides a powerful welding current, under the influence of which a high-temperature electric arc is created between the conductor and the part to be welded. Under this heat, the metal melts and a pool is formed - the region of the melt. At this moment, the parts are interconnected and, when cooled, form a strong and durable monolithic connection.

Due to the fact that do-it-yourself welding work is simply indispensable in construction, with repair work and just in living conditions to repair any iron parts, you need to remember that there are several technologies for working with welding:

• , which is realized with the help of special conductors - electrodes. These are small pieces of metal coated with a chemical coating, due to which an electric arc is created. The advantage of this type is its simplicity. Even a novice welder will figure out how to learn how to work with such a machine. It does not require the use of gas cylinders and special skills. It is enough to practice to get a high-quality and beautiful seam as a result. The disadvantage of the arc type of connection of products is that it is possible to work exclusively with stainless and ferrous metals;
• , which is produced by the apparatus using a special gas that creates protection for the metal from oxidation, which occurs as a result of the combination of oxygen with the molten material. Such do-it-yourself welding work can be done both in industrial and at home conditions.

Apparatus for welding

Do-it-yourself welding cannot be done without help special equipment- welding machine. There are several types of them, depending on the technology by which the master is going to weld:

• endures voltage fluctuations;
• economically consumes eclectic energy;
• cooking on an inverter is much easier and faster;
• welding parts is more accurate, since there is no spatter at all.

You can learn how to use welding using any type of equipment. The main thing is to follow all the rules of work technology and do not forget about safety.

What to look for when choosing a welding machine

Before you learn how to cook with a welding machine, you need to choose it and it is advisable to give preference to a good model that will be easy to learn and then work on. When choosing a unit, you need to take into account some of the nuances on which the quality of the seams depends:

• welding current is an indicator on which power and efficiency depend. To do welding with your own hands at home, up to 200 A is enough;
• resistance to power surges. The allowable interval is +-20%. Others are of low quality. How to learn how to work as a unit if the electricity constantly “knocks out” or the arc disappears? Therefore, this parameter is very important;
• equipment power varies. It is worth starting from the area of ​​\u200b\u200bits application. To weld metal at home, a simple or semi-professional apparatus is enough. For production purposes, you need a professional;
• PV - duration of inclusion. This is an indicator that determines the time frame for the operation of the unit. On average, it is about 40%. That is, after a minute of work on the welding machine, he needs a minute and a half of rest.

In addition to the device itself, you need to pick up accessories for it - clamps, wires, tongs, etc. And, it is important to remember that do-it-yourself welding requires a special form for the master. Be sure the welder must protect his face and eyes, as welding sparks adversely affect vision and can cause retinal burns. Be sure to do the work in special gloves, so that when doing welding work with your own hands, do not harm your health.

Welding process technology

When everything is ready - workplace, equipment and prepared did, you can proceed to the practical part of how to cook by welding.

The welding technique is actually quite simple. The whole process consists in exposing the metal to high temperature. In this case, an electric arc is formed between the material and the electrode element. Thanks to her, melting occurs.

Often welding errors occur due to the inability to hold the arc. Then the melting occurs unevenly. The result is a rough and uneven seam.

A welded bath is a molten mass of metal mixed with conductor particles. To protect the metal from oxidation, a gas cloud appears above the bath and protects it. If the process takes place using a semiautomatic device, then a special cylinder with protective gas is used there. When the electric arc is removed, the metal instantly solidifies and a small path remains, which holds the two parts together in a monolithic manner.

Advantages of manual arc welding:

• a variety of electrodes allows you to make different seams on different elements;
• the units are not large and can be easily carried;
• just learn how to make a seam;
• ideal for home use.

Along with the advantages, there are also disadvantages:

• selection harmful substances to the air;
• not all metals can be soldered in this way;
• The quality of work will depend on the skill level of the welder.

For a more detailed acquaintance with manual arc welding, you can find out.

Welding by electric welding with gas is a little easier, but before the process itself, you need to set up a semi-automatic device:

• you can determine the current strength from the instructions;
• adjust the automatic wire feed speed;
• set voltage and current;
• check the settings on the draft part.

To work with welding in semi-automatic mode, it is necessary to firmly fix the workpiece. In addition, it is necessary to choose a place for this such that it fully complies with safety rules. For example, it is forbidden to use wooden workbenches or tables. During welding, it is necessary to strictly observe the interval between the conductor and the workpiece - 5 mm. If you do not break it, the seam will be almost perfect. There is no need to hurry, the electrode burns out smoothly and the master has time to form a high-quality track. If the arc goes out all the time, it is necessary to increase the current on the unit itself.

In order to quickly learn how to cook by welding, professionals have prepared some tips for beginners, which it is advisable to use to get a high-quality result of their work:

• in order for do-it-yourself welding to turn out easily and quickly, it is necessary to prepare the parts with high quality, that is, to clean them from corrosion, dirt, dust and oil. Then the seam will be strong and even;
• don't be afraid to experiment. On the early stages training you need to try everything possible options leading the electrode to "fill your hand";
• in order not to miss the welding arc, you should try to keep the same gap between the end of the conductor and the workpiece. The most optimal distance is the thickness of the electrode. For beginners who are just learning how to work with the device, it is recommended to use 3 mm electrodes;
• you need to learn to distinguish the bath from the slag. When you first touch the metal, a red spot forms - this is not a bath, it is only a melting material that is deposited on the electrode. After that, after a couple of seconds, a liquid will appear White spot- this is already a weld pool;
• Do-it-yourself welding work should start with a spot seam, then it will be easier to learn how to lead a smooth path and not lose the arc;
• you should not be afraid of failures, in order to understand how to weld metal, you need to train a lot, try and experiment. Only then, after millions of attempts, you will get the correct and high-quality welding seam.

Metal welding is one of the most important operations in the manufacture and operation of metal structures. The manufacture of complex metal parts, patterned products, products from high-alloy steels is the lot of professionals who know well how to properly weld metal by electric welding. After all, it is electric welding that is the most common type, which has many advantages.

In life, it often becomes necessary to connect or repair simple metal parts - pipes, profiles, strips, simple designs. Having become acquainted with how to properly weld metal by electric welding, any person is able to do all the work on his own.

Basics of electric welding

Electric welding is based on the process of connecting metal parts by melting the edges of the parts adjacent to each other and filling this area with molten metal. The melting of metal is carried out using an electric arc. The arc between the electrode and the surface of the workpiece is created by applying a high power direct current.

The set of the welding machine includes an inverter, a transformer, a cable, a holder. The inverter is designed to convert AC to DC. The necessary power is provided by the transformer welding current. The current strength is regulated depending on the thickness of the workpiece to be welded, the type of metal and the type of electrode and ranges from 30 to 400 A.

The electrode is a metal wire (the most common diameter is 3-5 mm), covered with a special coating. Its length is usually 250-500 mm. Coating in the welding process plays the role of an inert medium. The composition of the coating usually includes a mixture of metals (nickel, manganese, iron) and minerals (alumina, magnesia, limestone).

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Electric Welding Process

Equipment and tools required for welding:

• welding machine;
• set of electrodes;
• a hammer;
• chisel;
• protective shield;
• metal brush;
• file;
• sandpaper;
• Bulgarian;
• calipers;
• templates and probes.

The sequence of the electric welding process develops as follows. A positive pole (anode) is connected to the electrode through the holder and a direct electric current is supplied. In the gap between the electrode and the surface of the workpiece, an electric arc is formed, which melts all the metal that enters the zone of its action.

At the same time, the base metal of the electrode is melted. This metal in the form of drops fills the space between the molten edges of the workpiece in the weld pool - as a result, a weld is formed. Under the influence of high temperature, a gas cloud arises from the evaporation of the coating. This cloud due to its chemical inertness provides protection of the molten metal from interaction with air. Slag appears on top of the weld from the decay products of the coating, which forms an additional protective layer from oxidation. The weld gradually cools, and the metal in it crystallizes. This ensures the connection of the workpieces.

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Preparatory stage

The first step is to select the electrode and set the value of the welding current. As a rule, electrodes are used with a diameter of 3.2 or 4 mm. Next, use a caliper to measure the thickness of the workpiece to set the current strength. An electrode with a diameter of 3.2 mm can be used with a workpiece thickness of up to 3 mm, and the current strength is set to 90 A. An electrode with a diameter of 4 mm should be used for workpieces up to 4 mm thick; in this case, the current strength with a workpiece thickness of up to 3 mm is 100 A, and with a thickness of 3-4 mm - 120 A.

Before welding, it is necessary to prepare the welding area. To do this, the workpiece is cleaned of dirt and external coatings(paint, primer, etc.). The site of direct work must be cleaned with a grinder, sandpaper or file to the base metal. The workpiece is fixed.

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Arcing

The welding process begins with the formation of an arc between the electrode and the surface of the workpiece. To do this, the holder is set at an angle of 60º to the surface of the workpiece and is lightly passed over it until sparks appear. If sticking of the electrode occurs, it is released by slightly tilting from side to side. After the appearance of sparks, the electrode rises above the surface to a height of up to 5 mm.

An electric arc should form between the electrode and the surface of the workpiece. The minimum arc length is 3 mm, but an optimum arc length of 5 mm is recommended. If a stable arc does not form, increase the welding current. The arc must be maintained all the time of welding with a given size. An increase in the length of the arc is not permissible, since oxidative processes or a nitriding reaction may develop in an enlarged gap, splashing of molten metal drops occurs, and porosity may occur in the weld. In the process of welding, the length of the electrode decreases, but it is necessary to keep the length of the arc unchanged, smoothly bringing the remainder closer to the surface.

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Formation of the weld

The formed arc is directed to the beginning of the work area and melts the metal. The weld is formed by smooth slow longitudinal movement of the electrode along the welding line. According to the type of its movement, the seams can be divided into several types.

1. The simplest is a thread seam, it is obtained only with the longitudinal direction of movement. The width of such a seam is 2-3 mm. Such a seam is of low quality and can only be used in non-critical parts.
2. Better, but also not guaranteeing reliability, is a seam formed by the movement of the electrode in two directions, longitudinal and transverse. The width of such a seam is up to 15 mm. The projection of the electrode movement is a zigzag or a sinusoid. In this case, the electrode is slowly advanced along the welding line and simultaneously moved transversely from side to side by a width of 10-15 mm.
3. A reliable welding seam is formed when the electrode moves in three directions. The longitudinal and transverse movement is preserved, but when the extreme positions are reached on both sides of the welding line, the electrode is shifted back by 10-20 mm. This provides a reciprocating movement, which allows you to re-process the seam. The step to the next shift is 30-50 mm. In projection, this movement in three directions is a helical line or ornament.

When forming a weld, the electrode is directed at an angle of 75-80º to the surface of the workpiece in the direction of the welding line and strictly at an angle of 90º in the direction away from the welding line.

To perform a wide variety of tasks, and the welding process itself is simple and takes little time. Welding with an electrode does not require high qualifications from the welder, but at the same time, electric welding has certain nuances that should be taken into account.

You need to learn the basics of welding for beginners from theory, smoothly moving on to practice. Our article is short instruction arc welding for beginners. Here are the secrets for choosing an inverter, its correct setting, the welding technology and its features are briefly described. Of course, this information is not enough to perform high-quality and fast welding from scratch, but our article will help you understand the basics.

Before we learn how to learn how to weld metal on our own, we need to decide on the welding equipment. The welding machine for welding is selected not only by price and appearance, but also by characteristics. We devoted several articles to this topic:, but for every taste and budget. With a welding machine capable of meeting your work needs, you can learn quickly and easily.

Also, to master the welding business, you will need equipment. Equipment is the protection of the welder. It protects against metal splashes, flashes and ultraviolet streams. The standard set consists of a mask (we recommend with auto-darkening), a balaclava, a work suit (called a "robe") and special thick gloves. As a work suit, you can use clothes made of coarse dense fabric, this will be enough for welding at home.

To learn how to work with a welding inverter, you need to know and follow the safety requirements. Failure to follow the instructions may result in burns, fires and accidents. We wrote in detail about safety precautions, and. Welding work is strictly prohibited without a fire extinguisher nearby. Especially if you work in the country or at home.

Also, put on all the equipment before starting work. If you light up without a mask, you are guaranteed to get a retinal burn. And you will not even know about it, because the symptoms will begin to appear only after a while. In the evening, you worked without a mask for only a couple of minutes, and in the morning you won’t be able to open your eyelids. At the same time, even professional welders often become victims of eye burns (masters call this ""), but for them this is due to a large amount of work, and not to non-compliance with the rules. So keep eye drops on hand. We wrote about it.

Manual welding for beginners is fraught with other dangers. Do not forget that when welding metal, you are surrounded by parts heated to very high temperatures. Do not touch them until they are completely cool, otherwise you are also guaranteed to get burned.

Next, let's talk about welding technology. While you can watch a small introductory lesson, it tells about the equipment and features. Welding training and, in general, welding training requires maximum concentration and adherence to the rules. Otherwise, the welding process may end in failure.

Welding technology

How to learn to weld metal from scratch? This question is asked by all beginners. First, let's decide what key elements we need to complete the work. This is equipment and, of course,. Welding electrodes have wide application, they allow you to quickly and efficiently connect various metals.

For welding with an inverter, so-called consumable electrodes with a coating (or coating) are used. The coating plays a protective function, it does not allow oxygen to penetrate into the welding zone and degrade the quality of the weld. Also, thanks to the coating, the arc is easier to strike and guide, it is stable and burns evenly.

There are many types of coatings. The coating is selected based on the metal that we need to weld. The most popular coatings are basic and acidic. acid-coated electrodes are produced both on direct and alternating current. With the help of acidic electrodes, contaminated metal can be easily welded (but we still recommend preparing it before welding, we wrote about preparation). Acid electrodes are usually used for welding not very important structures from low carbon steel.

Basic coated electrodes are very interesting. When melting, the coating releases, which does an excellent job of protecting the welding zone. The seams are very strong and durable. In this case, you need to work only with direct current, setting the reverse polarity. But such electrodes require a very thorough cleaning of the metal before welding, you need to clean the surface, remove all contamination and corrosion. If you neglect the preparation of the metal before welding, then after working with welding electrodes with a basic coating, there will be a lot on the seam and it will be difficult to remove it.

Rutile coated electrodes are the most popular. They are versatile, inexpensive and allow you to weld any metal. They can be cooked on direct and alternating current, but always read the packaging. After all, some manufacturers produce rutile electrodes to work only with a change or only with a constant.

On this basis welding work do not end. It is necessary to correctly select the size of the electrode, namely its diameter. Everything is simple here: the thinner the metal, the smaller the diameter. Here is a simple example: we need to weld a thin sheet of metal (for example,). For these purposes, we take an electrode with a diameter of up to 2 millimeters. And so it is with all other metals. The quality of the seam directly depends on the choice of diameter.

By the way, there are different ones. You can see them in the picture below.

The bottom seam is the easiest. We cook it by laying the part horizontally on a flat surface. We recommend starting training from the bottom seam. similar to the lower one, but more difficult, since it requires more skill from the welder. Proceed to horizontal seams only after you have learned how to make bottom seams well.

Even more difficult than horizontal ones. The electrode must be led from top to bottom and, under the action of gravity, the molten metal rapidly flows down. It takes a lot of experience and skill to learn how to make a vertical seam so that it is evenly welded. But the most difficult one. Here all the difficulties are brought together. If the welder can weld without problems ceiling seam That means he's a real professional. Strive for this and you, too, can become a true master of your craft.

We are often asked how to learn how to weld a pipeline or how to learn how to cook various? For some reason, this causes difficulties for many. This is not surprising: when welding a pipe, the seams are combined, you will have to be able to weld both the bottom, and the vertical, and the ceiling seam in order to connect the pipes. The only thing we can advise is to practice more. Don't expect to find out unique way with which you can easily weld complex seams. Only by practicing will you improve your skills.

Now let's talk about polarity. In the article we have already mentioned this word. Say in simple terms: with direct polarity, the part heats up quickly, little is consumed. And with reverse polarity, the opposite is true. For more details, be sure to read it, there we explain everything in detail. Reverse polarity is the most commonly used. Well, direct polarity is needed for cutting metal, for example.

The first do-it-yourself metal connection must begin with the bottom seam, since it is the simplest, as we wrote earlier. For the test, you can use unnecessary metal parts that you can find in the garage. Buy popular ones (for example, MP-3 electrodes), you can choose cheaper ones. Such electrodes will allow the beginner to quickly ignite and lead the arc, and the seam will not be of very high quality (but this is not the main thing yet). Don't buy SSSI electrodes as you simply won't be able to handle them due to lack of experience.

Next, you need to learn how to light the arc. There are two methods: the tapping (or touching) method and the swiping method. Heat the tip with a torch and tap it on the part, then run it lightly over the part. Movements should be smooth and confident, moderately fast. Otherwise to metal. Preheating the electrode will make the arc easier to strike, but later on you must learn to strike the arc without preheating.

The strike method is similar to the situation when you light a match on a box. Run the tip of the electrode quickly over the metal surface, without preheating. When striking, the electrode already warms up enough and when it is brought to the surface of the metal, it easily ignites. This makes it easier to start welding.

Wait for the arc to ignite. Then start welding. As soon as you bring the electrode to the metal, you will see how it begins to melt and a depression is formed. It's called a weld pool. In the weld pool, all processes are visually visible: the release of protective gas, the formation of slag and metal splashes. Watch the processes in the weld pool to understand how to lead the seam.

The seam is carried out smoothly, the electrode is kept at an equal distance, without changing it along the way. We recommend keeping a short arc, i.e. conduct at a distance of 3 millimeters from the surface of the metal. Beginners can set the current to a lower value so as not to accidentally melt the metal more than necessary.

There are three types of sutures. You can see them in the picture below. The most popular type is forward angle (indicated by the letter "b" in the picture). The letter "a" indicates a seam at a right angle, the letter "b" indicates a seam that is angled back. Depending on the direction chosen, the finished seams also differ. For beginners, we recommend that you lead the electrode at an angle forward.

This is not the end of metal welding. The seam must be properly finished and finished. It is impossible to sharply tear off the electrode from the metal surface, otherwise the arc will go out and a noticeable crater will remain at the end of the seam. Because of it, a further split of the connection may occur. Instead, hold the electrode in one place for a couple of seconds and then gently pull it back.

Instead of a conclusion

We've covered everything you need to know about welding if you're just about to buy your first welding machine. Believe me, it is not so difficult to learn how to cook by welding, you can free time read inverter welding tutorial
or a welding tutorial, which can be easily found in specialized literature stores. There are also visual welding lessons for dummies on the Internet, so learning to weld has never been easier. Good luck!

To be able to carry out at any time in the home workshop or on personal plot work related to the connection of elements of metal structures, it is enough to purchase a modern welding machine and learn how to cook with a welding inverter.

Welding has long been widely used not only in serious production, but also in everyday life.

Design and Advantages of Inverter Welding Machines

The great popularity of inverter equipment among home craftsmen is explained by the fact that with the help of such compact devices, which are also distinguished by their low weight, you can make high-quality, reliable and accurate welded joints, even without being highly qualified.

The design of any welding inverter consists of such elements as:

• power supply unit with rectifier unit and filter;
• inverter unit that converts direct current into high-frequency alternating current;
• a transformer for lowering the magnitude of the high-frequency current voltage;
• power rectifier designed to obtain direct current at the output of the device;
• an electronic unit that performs the functions of controlling the device.

Innovative technologies implemented in the design of inverters make it possible to obtain high-quality welded joints without any problems. Such devices, due to their compactness, do not take up much space, and due to their light weight (5–15 kg), they can be easily moved anywhere.

If you learn how to work on it correctly, you can use it to cook any metal structures. Each new inverter comes with an instruction manual from which the owner of the equipment can learn a lot useful information: how to connect the device correctly, which electrode to choose in order to cook products from a particular metal, etc.

Patterns of electrode movement depending on the type of seam (click to enlarge)

However, often in the hands home master an inverter device gets in, the instructions for which are not translated into Russian or are not available at all. It is very important to learn correctly, because when acting at random, it will be difficult to cook metal with high quality. In addition, you may encounter equipment failure.

However, if you follow the generally accepted rules, you can work on any models of inverters and effectively solve all the tasks. After carefully studying these rules, watch a training video that will help reinforce the theoretical material with a visual.

How to prepare equipment for work

Before you start welding metal, prepare all the necessary equipment to ensure your safety: a welding helmet, special clothes made of dense fabric, work shoes and gloves, which should also be made of dense material.

In order for the weld to be of high quality, it is necessary to choose the right electrodes. Their type and diameter are selected depending on the metal from which the parts to be joined are made, on the thickness of the latter, as well as on the welding modes. Since the surfaces of the workpieces to be welded must be thoroughly cleaned, you will also need to prepare a brush with metal wire bristles.

Before connecting the inverter to the electrical network, it is necessary to check whether the network parameters correspond to the characteristics of the connected equipment.

These parameters include strength electric current and the voltage value, which must be in the range specified in the passport for the inverter. Connect the device to the mains through an automatic machine that will prevent damage to the equipment if it electrical circuit happen short circuit or the magnitude of the voltage will increase sharply for another reason.

Before starting welding, it is necessary to take care of the condition of the working site. The inverter should be installed on a level surface, and there should be enough space around its housing to allow free air movement, due to which the natural ventilation of the device occurs. Do not cover the body of the machine with a cloth that will restrict the flow of air to its ventilation grilles.

The welding process is accompanied by high temperature and splashing of molten metal, so there should not be any flammable, flammable and explosive substances on the working site.

After everything preparations completed, the safety requirements are met, you can proceed to the following actions:

• connection power cable and ground cable to the corresponding inverter connectors;
• fixing the mass cable on the parts to be welded (a special clamp is used for this);
• connecting the device to the mains and setting the operating modes of welding on it;
• fixing the electrode in the welding holder.

The sequence and correctness of performing such actions is well demonstrated by the training video. Now that the inverter is connected to the electrical network, and the electrode in its holder is ready for use, you can start welding.

Features of welding using inverter devices

The first thing to do to start welding with an inverter is to strike an electric arc between the surface of the part and the tip of the electrode. To do this, the last to make a striking movement on the surface of the workpiece, as a result of which a bright flash should appear. Metal in the area of ​​the arc will begin to melt. You can learn how to strike the arc correctly and do it quickly by watching the training video.

When welding, it is important to monitor the length of the arc, which should approximately correspond to the diameter of the electrode used (in this case, the parts will be evenly melted, which will form a high-quality weld). It is necessary to ensure that such penetration takes place evenly throughout the entire welding process.

The quality and reliability of the weld is also affected by the polarity of the connection of the inverter power cable and the mass cable. To choose this polarity correctly, you need to know exactly what material the connected parts are made of. Most steel grades and other metals are best welded in direct polarity, only some alloys are connected in reverse.

The design of modern welding inverters provides smooth and efficient regulation of the operating current, which makes working with such devices simple and comfortable even for beginner welders. It is possible to judge that the welding current is chosen incorrectly by a number of factors. So, if it is too small, then the weld turns out to be too convex and narrow, the details in such cases are poorly melted. If the current is too high, then intense splashing of molten metal occurs, and burns may appear on the surface of the parts to be joined.

The choice of the strength of the welding current depends on the diameter of the electrode you are going to weld. So, when welding metal with a thickness of one to three millimeters with electrodes up to 1.5 mm in diameter, the welding current strength is selected in the range of 20–60 A. In the event that larger diameter rods are used that can weld metal with a thickness of 4–5 mm, the force welding current is selected within 100 A.

Whether watching a training video or watching a qualified technician work, novice welders often wonder why slag is knocked off the surface of a finished weld. This is done in order, firstly, to check the quality of the weld, and secondly, to give the finished joint an attractive appearance. On the seam, cleaned of slag, all the mistakes made during the welding are visible.

Of course, you should not count on the fact that novice welders (or the so-called dummies) will immediately get beautiful and high-quality welds. Skill, including in welding, does not come immediately after getting acquainted with the theoretical material and watching the video, it is gained only by experience.

How to choose the right welding inverter and electrodes for it

Properly selected electrodes play an important role in the formation of a high-quality and reliable welded joint. It is impossible to learn how to choose them from the video, for this you should adhere to generally accepted recommendations and the following principles.

• When working with medium and low carbon steels, carbon electrodes are used.
• Alloy steels are welded using electrodes manufactured in accordance with GOST 10052-75 and 9466-75.
• For welding products made of cast iron, products of the brand OZCH-2 are used.

Classification of electrodes by type and purpose (click to enlarge)

Possession of electric welding is a skill that will always come in handy in construction and everyday life. At the moment, there is no other way to connect metal elements like welding. You can learn this craft on your own, having mastered the initial skills of a welder and performing simple welding work. Consider where to start learning electric welding for beginners and what you need for this.

Electric welding training is a practical process that requires some training. First of all, you need to take care of security. The work of a welder is quite dangerous:

• Possibility of burns from splashes of molten metal;
• Poisoning with toxic secretions at high temperatures;
• Possibility of electric shock;
• Eye injury if safety goggles are not worn.

The right choice of equipment and equipment for electric welding is the key to a safe process. For welding work you will need:

1. Suit made of dense fabric, completely covering the body, arms and legs;
2. Special glasses can be used to protect the eyes, but we recommend paying attention to masks. They will also protect the face and are safer in the welding process;
3. Quality equipment for welding;
4. electrodes;
5. A bucket of water to eliminate possible fires;
6. The right place for welding. It is preferable to stay outdoors and remove all nearby flammable objects.

The modern market represents a wide selection of electric welding machines, the variety of which comes down to three main types:

• A transformer that converts alternating current for welding. This type welding machines often do not give a stable electric arc, but eat up a lot of voltage;
• The rectifier converts to direct current from the consumer network. These devices allow to obtain an electric arc of high stability;
• The inverter allows you to convert the current from the household network to direct current for welding. These units are characterized by ease of arc ignition and high performance.

Welding for beginners: video tutorials - watch and learn the nuances.

Beginners are advised to choose electrodes such as solid rods that are coated with a consumable composition. It will be easier for a novice welder to make an even seam with such electrodes. The size of the rods for a beginner is 3 mm.

Electric welding training

Connecting the electrode and starting the arc

The process of electric welding for beginners and experienced welders begins with the connection of the electrode and ignition of the arc. It is more convenient to start welding lessons on universal electrodes with a diameter of 3.2 mm. Such electrodes have a higher price, but they greatly facilitate the work of the welder.

The first stage of training: rollers

It is necessary to start your training in the basics of electric welding with rollers - welding seams on thick pieces of metal, where the skills of owning an electric arc and welding seams are practiced.

The sequence for creating rollers is as follows:

• For testing, a thick sheet of metal is taken, cleaned of rust and dirt;
• All manipulations with the welding machine and the arc are carried out in a suit and with eye glasses!
• After ignition, the arc is brought to the metal at a distance in the range of 3-5 mm. It is important to ensure that the distance between the workpiece and the arc is the same, this is the key to a smooth and uniform seam. The electrode is held at an angle;
• It is important to understand whether the current supplied by the welding machine is sufficient. If the arc goes out, then the voltage must be added. When too high voltage the arc will not melt, but cut the metal;
• Consider the structure of the metal in contact with the arc. It is important to understand where the weld pool forms during welding and monitor it. This area of ​​molten metal will have a whitish color with the characteristic ripples of liquid metal on the surface;
• When a weld pool has appeared under the ignited arc, you can begin to make a seam by moving the electrode. The bath will follow the arc, while the pressure of the arc will cause the bath to also move in the opposite direction, resulting in a bead;
• When creating rollers, it is necessary to adhere to certain patterns of electrode movements - these can be translational movements with a small and always equal amplitude to create an even and beautiful seam.

After the metal has cooled, it is necessary to use a hammer to chip off the slag from the surface of the bath and make a detailed inspection of the work done. If there are unwelded elements, then it is necessary to add current. If the current is excessively high, then this will be seen by a large burn through of the metal.

Welded joints

Do-it-yourself electric welding involves the creation of welded joints. You can move on to their practice after mastering the rollers. It requires a practical skill in owning a welding machine, which is why it is so important to work out your movements on workpieces before moving on to welding elements.

It is recommended to start the welding connection of metal elements on small workpieces. The sequence of work is as follows:

• Before welding, the parts are fastened in the required position using auxiliary tools;
• First of all, tacks are performed - spot seams with a step of 8-10 cm, which fasten metal elements in certain places. This is necessary in order to give the workpiece a certain strength and the metal does not warp when making a long seam. The implementation of such tacks also greatly facilitates the creation of the main long seam. As a rule, clamping is carried out on both sides of the part;
• After making the tacks, a common seam is created, which welds the edges of the two metal elements. Here it is important to move the electric arc with sufficient amplitude, raking the molten metal into the weld pool from both welded planes.

After cooling, the seam is beaten off with a hammer from the slag and checked for quality. If there are flaws or unfinished places, then they must be brewed again.

Summing up

Electric welding is a useful skill in everyday life and construction. You can master it on your own. Such training will be based on:

• understanding of the theory of the welding process, necessary for the correct setting of the welding machine and work on metal welding;
• compliance with safety rules when welding, which is reduced to the use of a protective suit, goggles or mask, welding away from flammable objects;
• practical experience, which begins with the ability to strike an arc and weld beads.

Do not despair if the first electric welding experiments do not please you with beautiful seams. Believe me, every experienced welder has such welding skeletons. The ability to create not only high-quality, but also outwardly attractive seams will come along with experience and frequent welding practice.