Start welding
Melt two pieces of steel into one with an electric arc. Stick welding is the simplest kind to start with and fixes everything from gates to trailers. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first beads.
Space neededA garage with the door open
First projectA plate of practice beads
Skill levelA weekend to start, years to master
Good forFixers, builders, farm and shop folks
The video that hooks everyone
Stick welding 101: getting started
Rows of stick welding beads on a practice plate, and a getting-started lesson in SMAW, the classic way to weld steel with a rod. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't. Safety gear is half of it, and none of it is optional. Bigger machines and fancy rods can wait until your beads run straight.
Starter kit
01Stick welderA small 120-volt inverter machine is plenty to learn on. AC/DC is a plus.
02E6013 rods, 3/32 in.An easy rod for beginners. Strikes and runs smoothly.
03Auto-darkening helmetShade 10 or darker for stick welding. Check the label.
04Safety glassesUnder the helmet, every time, and for chipping and grinding.
05Welding glovesThick leather gauntlets that cover your wrists.
06Welding jacketFlame-resistant cotton or leather. Never synthetic fabric.
07Chipping hammer + wire brushKnock off the slag and clean the weld.
08Angle grinder with a flap discCleans steel to bright metal before you weld.
09Scrap steel plate + fire extinguisherBare mild steel, about 1/4 in. thick, and an ABC extinguisher in reach.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Welding on dirty or coated steelRust, paint and mill scale make spatter and weak welds, and coatings give off bad fumes. Grind to bright metal first.
- 2Holding the rod too far awayA long arc sputters and spatters. Keep the gap about as wide as the rod is thick.
- 3Moving too fast or too slowToo fast leaves a thin, ropey bead. Too slow piles it up. Watch the puddle, not the rod.
