I did some arc welding today, what we often here call 'stick welding'. Well I haven't used an arc welder for some years and thought I'd just pick up where I'd left off all those years ago ............. right. Well, as I discovered, it ain't that simple and when the rod wasn't stickig to the workpiece the results resembled a bunch of small grapes. Time for a steadier hand and a rethink. I was using 2.5mm fluxed rods and 95amps, soooo, up the amps to make things easier, fortunately I was welding 1/8" plate to the same thickness 40mm SHS. I ended up using 110amps with a lot of weld spatter going everywhere but managed to run half reasonable welds. Half way through the wife had made me a pastrami rye sandwich and some tea, so I stopped. She then said what did I expect as I hadn't arc welded for a long time and totally out of practice ................. hmmm, ever felt the urge to commit murder ................

 

nice, at least she fed and watered you. "slow and steady" sometimes easier said than done.
btw, we call it stick welding too.

 

Gave the welding another 'bash' today as they wanted $96 for a new MTD Lawnflite 30" rideon cutter blade to replace mine which I'd sharpened to death. Sooo, I bought two hardened steel flail mower cutters for $4 and welded one on each end of the mower blade thereby saving myself a 'truckload' of cash. I over did the arc welding for security and peace of mind as I wouldn't want them flying off cutting through my ankles or anyone elses come to that.