19
2. Angle B (Figure 11) can be varied for two
reasons: to improve the ability to see the
arc in relation to the weld puddle and to
direct the force of the arc.
The force of the welding arc follows a
straight line out of the end of the nozzle.
If angle B is changed, so will the direction of
arc force and the point at which penetration
will be concentrated.
On a butt weld joint, the only reason to vary
angle B from perpendicular (straight up) to
the work piece would be to improve visibili-
ty of the weld puddle. In this case, angle B
can be varied anywhere from zero to 45
degrees with 30 degrees working about the
best.
On a fillet weld joint, the nozzle is generally
positioned in such a manner so as to split
the angle between the horizontal and verti-
cal members of the weld joint. In most
cases, a fillet weld will be 45 degrees.
Distance from the Work Piece
The end of the welding gun is designed with
the contact tip recessed from the end of the
nozzle and the nozzle electrically insulated
from the rest of the gun. This permits the
operator to actually rest the nozzle on the
work piece and drag it along while welding.
This can be very helpful to beginning
welders to steady the gun, allowing the
welder to concentrate on welding technique.
If the nozzle is held off the work piece, the
distance between the nozzle and the work
piece should be kept constant and should
not exceed 1/4 inch or the arc may begin
sputtering, signaling a loss in welding per-
formance.
WELDING TECHNIQUES
WARNING
EXPOSURE TO A WELDING ARC IS
EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO THE EYES AND
SKIN! Prolonged exposure to the welding
arc can cause blindness and burns. Never
strike an arc or begin welding until you are
adequately protected. Wear flameproof
welding gloves, a heavy long sleeved shirt,
cuffless trousers, high topped shoes and a
welding helmet.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL! To prevent
ELECTRIC SHOCK, do not perform any weld-
ing while standing, kneeling, or lying direct-
ly on the grounded work.
MOVING THE GUN
Gun travel refers to the movement of the
gun along the weld joint and is broken into
two elements: Direction and Speed. A solid
weld bead requires that the welding gun be
moved steadily and at the right speed along
the weld joint. Moving the gun too fast, too
slow, or erratically will prevent proper fusion
or create a lumpy, uneven bead.
1. TRAVEL DIRECTION is the direction the
gun is moved along the weld joint in rela-
tion to the weld puddle. The gun is either
PUSHED (see Figure 12) into the weld
puddle or PULLED away from the weld
puddle.
Angle A
Angle B
Figure 10. Gun Position, Angle A
Figure 11. Gun Position, Angle B
