Stick Welding for Beginners: quick pointers

[@blairmarriott3737]

I watched a professional welder do a beginners video before this one and he didn't even mention how to get the rod started without sticking . Glad you cleared up that point

[@DavidJones-we2ex]

I have been a 'professional' welder in my garage for about two months and your video helped me. Thanks man keep em coming.

[@microstopitman]

my name is Fred/ iron worker 43 years built sky scappers pent houses and more ch much more/ in new York pipe fitting and I fabricate my owne projects / the one thing I never done is criticize any one /Keep doing what you do /and do it your way. As long as it works for you to me it looks good

[@StrangeGarage]

You are a good man, Fred. Thank you!

[@randallyoung5962]

Lol he said why are professionals watching a beginner welding video. What a savage, but very true! Any info helps buddy keep it up!

[@lancer525]

The reason they're watching is so they can feed their tiny-penis weak little egos by putting someone else down. Haven't you ever met a welder? Most of them are assholes who think they know secrets of the Universe.

[@StrangeGarage]

@@lancer525 SO right! I can't stand the ego of so many welders! One dude at work (who brags about being a great welder) did a whole job with the argon bottle off. Worst porosity I have ever seen, from a "professional" welder.

[@jam3727]

@Strange Garage no one was born a welder and everyone was a beginner once. Why people feel the need to say how bad the welding is, is actually mind boggling and they obviously have nothing else better to do with their time. They were once a beginner making the exact same mistakes we make now. Keep up the videos mate and keep enjoying yourself

[@angelcorella177]

Good job

[@noobbuilderproductions7865]

@@lancer525 wtf lol

[@abutimmy3743]

Definition of a professional.... Some one who has made every mistake in that field...

[@tunnerday7859]

So true

[@mpirokajosephmgcokoca2355]

Very true

[@SillySillyBoy11]

Professional means you get paid

[@Kevinbmxshred]

Yesssss!

[@peterdavis2219]

I'm not a professional welder I'm grateful you and other professionals teach all of us the right way to weld. Keep up good work.

[@johngillespie7336]

64 yo and I have never welded before. Buying my 1st stick welder tomorrow. You video gave me some good directions to remember. Cheers and thanks.

[@PilotMcbride]

Ha!! You posted this on my 64th Birthday, lmao!! Well done!! Learned welding during my apprenticeship a long time ago. Sucked then, still suck today, well MS stick is horrendous. Mig is fine, Tig, is still out there somewhere, I gotta stop the puddle leaping onto my tungsten ,lmao!! But my stick, holy crap!! SS and low H are almost passable, but load the stinger up with MS (6013 basically)........ Simply crap. Every time my youngest son (36) turns up he goes straight to my practice pieces and laughs his mongrel arse off, lmao!! Yeah, welding is a great skill to have, and as for professional welders, they are great to watch, never get sick of watching them (with great jealousy, lol.) Good on you young fella, look forward to watching more of your work. Cheers from downunder (The Land of Fire atm)

[@jasonfreeman3350]

got a Clarke 95e from my Uncles workshop when he passed. I'm an electrician, not a welder. Your video was actually the first one I watched. Good video bro. I Know 100× more now then I did before I watched it. Thx.

[@tequwmah]

Gotta love a guy who is humble. I took a couple of classes at the community college, everything you said is real and helpful. Question: My friend set his machine at 40. I told him in school it's in the 90's. He has the kind that can weld more than one way, lol. That's probably not that very helpful. Well, Mahalo for being you!

[@njgrplr2007]

I like how you addressed the haters at the end. "All you're doing is helping me." Great attitude and good for you.

[@cedarpoplar]

Nah, man. You are a life saver. I missed a chapter and a couple of classes last. Watching your video and others, I won't feel so dumb walking into that class and shop anymore. Plus, Watching these beginners videos along with textbook work, I it's going to help more. Again, thank you.

[@southernbluecollar1635]

Reasons of watching is the possibility to learn something we don't know or give advise. The Criticism is uncalled for being we are the 1% who still hold or keep bonds solid. Keep it up boss! FYI you can take a file and scratch the 7018 tip and it will arc way easier.

[@StrangeGarage]

I carry knipex cutters in my pocket for either breaking the flux or nipping off the excess exposed steel. Works wonders. I'm always learning, and the "haters" often actually teach me stuff, so I'm actually fortunate to have them, even if it doesn't feel like it.

[@stanleyj.mitchell4851]

I got my first weld to work yesterday. I’m 67. I wish I’d seen this video first. I found out how to start a good weld by accident. If I’d seen this video first my life would have been much easier.

[@kevinpoirier6490]

I'm about to embark on my welding journey at 46 brother and your video was nothing but informative and I'll be watching many many more. Very helpful

[@jmc2510]

I’m not a professional welder but I’m glad your a good teacher and can explain to me how to weld. I feel confident walking into the shop now. My welds look great by the way. Thanks dude.

[@herbertocavazos6205]

Good video. Thank you for pointing out about experienced welders. I've always wondered about the negativity. Im a hobbyist at home and starting to stick weld. Thanks again

[@matsgranbom5918]

Tap til spark THEN scratch, is probobly one of the most useefull tips I have gotten from looking at about 2 hours of welding tutorials.

[@StrangeGarage]

Yes, that's a good way to put it. I just pinch the tip while it's hot, but I can't tell people to do that on the internet because they will try to do it without gloves.

[@handmade3681]

I’m semi- experienced and I watch these because there’s a chance that somebody who’s just starting out has an out of the box idea that can be super useful. As an example, I now tack my parts by grabbing the electrode like a pen, I learned that from sombody who was on their first day of welding class, I was just helping them get started.

[@thomaslewis9526]

I do that all the time. I use small sticks and the ends jiggle like crazy until they burn down halfway. I wrap a clean cotton rag around my glove, wrap the cable around my arm, and hold it like a pencil. But I do a lot of spot welds and short beads, maybe not with a long bead (hot electrode). If you stick the electrode it will get very hot very fast! But I am cautious to recommend it. I live in western Colorado (sagebrush desert) where relative humidity rarely gets over 30%. And I can work in the morning when it isn't so hot (so I'm not sweaty), so the risk is low. If you do this in say, Louisiana in the warmer months, you will Die!!!. When is it safe?!? If you aren't sure maybe don't do it. If you are confident, remember you only need to be wrong once. If you are leaning against or resting your elbow on something grounded, and the other sweaty gloved hand is holding a stick with a tiny crack in the flux coating; 0.05amp passing through your chest Will Stop Your Heart!!! You had better hope someone immediately noticed what has happened, and someone present is good at CPR, and that it works. Also, some flux coatings (7014, 7018) are made with iron powder, which is not a great insulator! If you are at work, OSHA and your insurance probably say NO You Will Not! If you are in a rush or under bad conditions then maybe don't use this. If you ever feel a little tingle, Stop, figure out what happened, and take it as a second chance to be alive. Do Not ask for a third chance! You are the Only One Who Can Keep You Safe. I am sorry about this being a crazy long comment, but it is a useful technique for the low budget welder and I know people will use it. (If you are a manager you might want to prevent this from happening.) You can grab the stick,...BUT..............

[@randallroebuck2815]

You give good detailed advice for someone just like me beginning to learn to weld. I gain much encouragement watching others learn from their work and improvements in all kinds of topics and hobbies.

[@whitecrane3714]

I learned more from you than the kid who is a journeyman b pressure certified welder. He says dont learn to weld dad I will weld for you , but then try to find him when you need him. All and all he is a good kid and a good welder. Thanks for your video.

[@StrangeGarage]

I'm a mostly amateur welder (no certs), but I have my share of torch time. Just get plenty of practice and you'll be welding great in no time!

[@thornyturtleranch4u]

I'm a professional. I dont know at what but someone pays me. I struggled all day. I've laid one nice bead about 4 inches with a stick maybe 4 years ago and struggled all day. Blew some holes in quarter inch trying to fix a 6 inch crack in a tow hitch but luckily was able to eventually plug the holes and finish the crack, got a nice continental divide because my metal flowed down hard to build from the top. I was super good with my miller 212 mig in the past. Dont have my gas bottles with me. But I've got lots more practice needed on this stick. The machine in using is that 10 year old Harbor Freight BLUE DC tig stick. It running strong, hasn't been used in over 6 years. Fired right up when I configured a dryer plug adapter to my welding extension cord. I did score a fantastic deal on a grinder today. At lowes, metabo grinders are 49.00 and on sale for 39.00 with a nice case and a bunch of disks. This grinder blows away the harbor freight ones. Thanks for the video.

[@mattwaters6987]

Thx for the pointers. I'm brand new at this so I need all the help I can get! Great video! 😊

[@slapdog100]

Like you said it’s a beginner video . And even the pros had to start at the beginning. Well done !

[@TristanPetty]

This is a great video man. I like your ending disclaimer to the “geniuses” that know how but still want to watch your informational video.. I agree, I appreciate this video and you seem like a good dude. Keep it up and THANK YOU!

[@alanlamerton4767]

Great I just started doing as hobby and all tips has helped me a great deal I like the fact you can take ideas or leave them depending on how many years you been doing it .thank you

[@johnathanperez1552]

I like this dude. Straight up and I see what he sees. I don’t know shit about welding. I got into it. I’m in college 3weeks so far. Fingers crossed, I pull it through. Welds look so badass once they are done.

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

I typed in 'how to stick weld' and this video was top of the list. I like it, thanks

[@StrangeGarage]

Man, that's great news for me. I hope it was helpful!

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

@@StrangeGarage Very helpful.

[@billwilliams5963]

I am learning how to weld and used your video as a checklist. I have gone to the high powered welding sites and they are so packed with information and tips which will be valuable to me after I get a little further along. . Thanks for the tips .

[@janisvaskevics93]

Thanks man! Just had my first welding experience and I just had to go to KZbin to find out why I suck at stick welding. You gave me a couple great advices.

[@ratgasgarage]

I love that you use a Chicago welder, and have a tutorial using it, most people who are sharing there knowledge are using way better welders and such. So thank you for sharing, it's more relative to my situation, I use the HF inverter stick, I love it

[@goodbyemrchips4174]

Good man Charlie Brown. Straight talking, no nonsence helpfull vid. Happy days!!

[@peachsncream5808]

I like your straightforward honesty. The reason the so-called professional welders who watch less experienced people s stuff and feel the need to comment negatively instead of constructively is simply ego based ‘I’m good look at me me me me me me. Typicality when something goes wrong for them in there world they will blame the tools or others.(id be a people person if people weren’t such A...holes). My welding sucks,I describe what I do as sticking sh..t together. Thank for your vid.

[@rjverackajr]

F.A.I.L. First Attempt At Learning. I just got a sweet multi process welder. I’m ok at MIG, but not so experienced with SMAW. This video gives me some sweet pointers after running my first few electrodes with limited success. To heck with all the naysayers, keep fighting the good fight! You are helping people like me!

[@garyhaso3112]

Thanks for the tips. Iv been welding stick for over 40 years and it still looks like a train wreck. No matter what i do. Cars always pass mots.thank god somebody invented the grinder. Thanks for your posts. Ill kerp trying.

[@toomuchinformationforu9919]

great information for novice welders who dont understand nothing and first time I ever so NO dislikes ,keep it coming.

[@benkanobe7500]

Thanks for all you do for us beginners. I started welding with my HF 90amp because of you. I just purchased an old Lincoln Buzz Box to learn how to stick weld. Please continue the Pros watching this are not helping those of us just trying to learn to stick metal together in our garages, barns, and backyards.

[@hdman97]

I think all your welding videos are great I wish I could do half that well. My welds are terrible I just hope they hold my lawn tractor together. LOL Thanks for all you do!

[@dancahill9122]

I am/was originally a farm boy in my youth. My dad, who just welded when he had to, commented this about his welding proficiency. "Weld it, then hit it with a hammer 2 or3 times. If it holds, you're good."

[@SouthParkStudio]

Stick welding is good for furniture pipes and thick metals, used by a lot of manufacturers so you’re not wrongz

[@teoortega4061]

I'm professional schooled in welding and that's how the taught us straight run awesome job ....I like it I like it

[@dewalphneal2811]

Thank you! Quick, precise, to the point, most importantly retainable! Great 👍 video!

[@Djohnson3]

I just wanted to say this is an awesome video. As someone who enjoys FCAW, In my personal opinion, I will not use any wire except for Forney. I've had the best luck with it and when I start my Stick welding adventure, I will be sure to look out for it to try it out

[@stuartgerger7828]

Excellent video SG! Both the info (for someone considering STARTING to learn welding) and your 'comments on the comments' at the end: WELL DONE! All of my subscriptions are for music, but you'll be my first for other stuff. Good job kid!

[@JC-sl9bc]

Thanks, mate. I was struggling with the stick, sticking this video helped me alot cheers

[@benhamilton4881]

Just got into stick welding, this video was very helpful, keep at her!!

[@ajsironworks3937]

I’m a professional welder and I watch all sorts of content. I always learn bro. From you from who ever. Some welders are elites and they want to look down on others. I don’t. I love the skill and I am not the best welder. Saw your tig welds and I’m not a good tig welder but I appreciate your ability. My point is I can learn from you all. But you don’t know until you click watch and listen. Good work sir. And thanks.

[@StrangeGarage]

You are the man, man. I appreciate you. I always try to keep my mind open, because that's how you learn and grow. I wish more people had your attitude. Thanks bro!

[@ajsironworks3937]

I appreciate you too sir. I learned this years ago by a young man who showed me a better way to do a job easier. I swallowed my pride and he taught me a better way. My welding instructor tried to teach me this when I was younger. But I was a fool. But you have a lot to offer. And your welds look good. Thanks for your kind words.

[@mbrrideitlikeyoustoleit8436]

I think you're a kick-ass welder and you've helped me out so thank you for the video

[@ALIAHMED-ur7wh]

thank you, you actually helped me out a bunch, negative comments = jealousy, thanks for sharing man

[@DatBoiOrly]

God damn that go pro trick is killer, also one thing that screws with my head even as a professional when switching between 5 different welders is removing the slag off a finished weld when doing a multi layered weld using stick since it's the only one that actually creates slag and it ends up all in pores once it's done you can't fix it. Nothing wrong with going back to basics lmao.

[@davidwoods607]

A beginner here. This video was really helpful. Thank you.

[@motivate-your-mindset]

You are awesome I had my first welding class today.....you are way better than my professional teacher lol Thank you xx

[@MrRyand24]

You have a real optimistic Point of view, and a REAL GOOD attitude!

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

I love that you’re using a Chicago Electric welder. So many of these video have people showing beginners various forms of welding and they are these nice ESAB, Miller’s or Lincoln units. Those machines are obviously a lot more purpose built, but for the average person getting into this, they are way too much to be paying for. Thanks for the advice. I’m looking at buying my first ARC welder so I build me some industrial style shelving for my man cave.

[@StrangeGarage]

Yeah, this welder was $200 used, I really am your "average joe". One of my welders at work retails for about $13,000. It doesn't weld better than this Chicago, because the machine doesn't weld anything, I still have to do all the work. Everyone tells me the best beginner arc welder is a lincoln tombstone welder. Cheap, available everywhere, variable power, and very heavy.

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

@@StrangeGarage I had just looked at that over at Lowe's. I think they are somewhere in the tune of $350. At some point, I would like to get one of the Multi-process welders. I've been seeing good things about the Vulcan over at Harbor Freight. $1,000 bucks to do a little bit of everything in one convenient unit sounds great.

[@StrangeGarage]

@@HvyMetal4Ever Gotta go used man. I got one for free. For 350 you are better off buying my exact welder, which is honestly a great TIG/stick machine, in my opinion.

[@toddsmith1087]

Thanks for the tips, gonna try stick welding for the first time next week.

[@grahamharris4941]

This is really informative and inspires confidence. It confirms what I was knowingly doing wrong. It has helped me find the way to improve. Thanks.

[@liamkelly1724]

Hi genuine great guy, great video, nice welding, there isn't many genuine guys like you left. He who comes and does his best will go down the road same as the rest. This

[@StrangeGarage]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm an ordinary guy, just ask my bank account :) i hope my advice helps.

[@jakeborder4660]

I'm brand new at this stuff, so appreciate all the knowledge. 👍

[@piggybakkers]

Hi. Just found your vid. I've been struggling with my home hobby stick welding for a while and found your short but sweet vid a great help. Your comments on the nay sayers and negative vibe muppets were great, don't let them get to you. You're always helping someone i.e me. i really don't get people who thumbs down and criticise genuine you tube vid makers. Keep on rockin. Just subscribed.

[@StrangeGarage]

Yeah, I used to let them bother me, but after about 10 thousand haters I had to let it go. Thanks for watching!

[@br4nd0n79]

Appreciate it! Man i weld at work not every day or week. But I haven’t been completely getting the slag off. Also 100 % right about the burning through. I was on top of a semi trailer bracing its corners and it completely burned through. I made circles around it and let it cool then laid another bead around until it filled. But it’s good to know how to fix that issue, also I started using bolts and rebar as filler and it helped the gaps. But I do work at a scrap yard and it is very near by. Thanks for the tips Man U are awesome!

[@wandyl8328]

Keep doing what you're doing man. I know I learned from this video. Kudos for offering your experience to the watchers.

[@jonathanadams7399]

Thanks, just getting into welding, already use soldering, so your video helped in getting a start.

[@a_freaking_lime-gaming9287]

I just picked up my first stick welder I’ve done mig never was interested in stick welding but now I have some down time might as well try thank you for the tips time to go burn some rods lol

[@johnhayes4217]

I never could figure out how to keep from sticking the rod until I watched this. THANKS

[@Laura-wc5xt]

as an experienced weldor I feel your short video was great information for the beginning weldor. Best Wishes....PB

[@terisavea6117]

Just love how its explained so well and the ending part of the vid bout the comments made me subscribe

[@Girlsontop21]

same here lol

[@devanedwards5986]

Just picked up a stick welder myself, I tried before and thought something was wrong with the machine, but literally verbatim everything you said is what was happening to me! Can't wait to practice on my neighbor's projects!

[@benjaminzhou9503]

thanks for sharing. I got my first ever MMA welder this last Saturday which I was pretty excited about. But upon turning on to 40 Amp with a 1/16 6013 rod on my new exhaust pipe with a new CAT, it sticks right there, and I wasn't able to do anything before deciding this is a skill I need to learn first before even attempting... and here's your video.... it helps boost my confidence a little bit... thank you!

[@jimw6991]

This sounds like me .... I bought a used stick welder and a bunch of 6013 thinking I could repair my broken farm tractor. I "fixed it" but weld was all over the place ... more is better?

[@jimw6991]

Should go on to say after 2 hours grinding off my ugly repair weld I plan to reweld. But first I am practicing until I get the hang of it. Glad people share thier experiences on video ... keep the tips coming :).

[@thomaslewis9526]

I like that small 6013 for sheet metal with the dab-dab technique. There's a guy in Indonesia (RAPUCUF) who has a lot of these videos on his You-Tube channel. The basic idea is that you strike the arc (first on scrap), get a molten puddle, break the arc, let it cool a second or two, strike the arc again before the metal goes dark and so on. You drag the stick at about 45degrees, using the arc-force to push that sneaky slag back from your leading edge. You are welding about 1/4" (6mm) at a time. The formally trained welder may react to this like a bull to a red flag, because this is craft welding. You Can make Very Bad Welds this way (also found on You- Tube). The one side-effect of this style is a bit of a rib from the weld bead. 6013 will tend to sit on top of whatever you weld, as you can't t grind a groove into the already too thin base metal.

[@loy3100]

thanks bro i’m a sophomore and it’s my first year welding you helped me out quite a bit bro thank you

[@SARGENTSATIVA]

Thanks for doing this dude I've been doing a course of welding, blacksmithing and fabrication at college and it has helped me quite a bit

[@reginaerickson8112]

Lol I am a professional welder, mig welder. Sounds cooler than it is, anyway, I’ve been embarrassing myself in my garage trying to learn on my grandpa’s stick welder. Pft, of course I can stick, I can mig, right? Wrong! Thanks for the advice (tips, ha!). I stuck that damn rod to everything in the garage but the flower pots. Keep it up!

[@mattfogarty8144]

When you stick weld keep your rod an 1/8th of an inch off the plate and either tap it or scratch it to start the rod if you tap it tap it hard it's the same concept as mig welding just now the end of your stick is the end of your mig gun and with stick welding you dont need to make circles or ls with the rod but it also depends on what rod you're running some rods do need manipulation a basic stick welding video on youtube will help you out tremendously the older videos of welding are the best ones hope this helps

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

With flower pots you need ceramic rods and higher amperage and then you have to put them in an anealing oven.

[@lbar2458]

Thank you. Im just starting to weld and having problems with the sticking. Thank you for this vid

[@ashmoniquelove]

Yes I just start welding and your videos helps me alot

[@CHRISDJS72]

It’s only been 16 years since I last tried stickweldin and today it was like riding a bike, hardest part is always striking it without sticking it to the steel

[@xChromerSatanasx]

Funny you mention negative comments, many construction videos I watch I learn more from comments and usually read them as video is playing. You are smart

[@sonyyoung1036]

Sir, good comments and attitude on learning thru feedback regardless on the tone of the message!

[@Bob_on_Bikes]

I'm a real beginner and you just earned a new sub. Great content.

[@StrangeGarage]

Thanks, my friend! Tell your friends 😉

[@41172]

im so very thankful for these videos sir,,so far ive gained a lot of knowledge..

[@StrangeGarage]

So glad I could help!

[@ronaldkobbo7347]

Thanks for the video sir. I am a beginner and I found it very helpful. Keep them coming. Cheers

[@thomasjefferson1457]

You're honest about what you tell us. Keep up the good video's. I worked with "professional welders" all my life and the really good welders don't have to tell you their good, they show it in their work. I've watched your welding and there nothing wrong with it and even the best welders make mistakes now and then.

[@RowboTony]

Thanks for the dark lens GoPro! Too many welding videos show the blazing bright weld process without a dark filter, which render them mostly useless. "Professional" or not, this was helpful. Thanks!

[@stevecampbell8616]

Brilliant advice, you have pointed me and my welding rod in the right direction..top man

[@Jvset]

thats the tip ive been looking for. i cant start an arc or the spark or whatever they call it consistently. and thanks for that scratching tip it does work well for me. Ive seen lots of videos but they just do it professionally and you wont even notice it and they its like theyre just showing off how good they are hahahah

[@allanchalmers9359]

Like a blank piece of paper you have to start somewhere! By posting and wanting to help you make a difference to people like me who are interested in learning how to stick weld :) thank you keep posting

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

You just keep doing what you're doing. Thanks for the help!

[@Anth4044]

Great video thank you for sharing 👍👍

[@scottmckenna9164]

I took notes because I inherited my fathers machine and Once I start I know I can get dangerous in a hurry. Thank you !

[@Seven.And.The.RaggedTiger]

I'm not a professional welder myself and do about as good as you.. I'm a State Licensed Certified Plumber though and solder,braze really good.. so and I love fabricating things on/for my Motorcycle,doing repairs on our vehicles,whatever... so I picked up a Lincoln Flux Core,and a Stick(Arc)welder and been practicing alot My point is so what "you dont know what you're doing" well neither do I but I'll learn it,and get better and better,same for you,even professionals started out not knowing,but a good Welder/Fabricator don't discourage someone from learning,they comment with advise.. not the opposite Keep it up.. I know I will 👍

[@burritogodduvall7926]

Helpful, taking a welding class this year and I couldn't figure out how to actually start the arc but this helped

[@dustinjewel3612]

Thanks! Great intro video for SMAW beginners.

[@kristamoore3683]

Im stick welding for the first time at work tomorrow, thank you for this video! Def cleared some questions i had! 😁

[@SouthParkStudio]

Boobies that weld very niceee

[@georgesimpson3113]

Keep doing what you are doing! Don't be afraid of learning other rods and thicknesses.

[@subasalaramir4130]

Proud of sir its verey good video i even saw

[@passthatcap]

Dude! Great video. Am about halfway through the same box of electrodes. Forney 7018 3/32. You’re right, they’re pretty hassle-free. Awesome advice you’re handing down and some solid looking welds. 👍🏼

[@agbarumba]

Well all I can say is this clip was really good and useful, I'm on the learning curve and am making all the mistakes that you mentioned!

[@markginimalanaphy8963]

Ty for the imfo. I like that you use the nail pull of the hammer to clean the weld. I was wondering what to use. 😎👍

[@tedh7543]

Good to see you back SG! Nice looking stick welds. I wish I could accomplish this quality. I agree with you 100%. What are experienced/pro welders doing watching beginner welder videos? It makes no sense. Your content is for guys like me that weld occasionally and need tips from a guy that presents information an awesome and often humorous way. Keep up the good work!

[@StrangeGarage]

Thanks for watching, Ted. Always good to hear from you. It's weird, but I honestly do like the negative criticism. They help me find the holes in my videos and it makes my videos better. Ultimately it makes your experience better:)

[@tedh7543]

@@StrangeGarage I hear you SG, I'm always looking for a better way to accomplish things and I'm willing to admit when my way is not the best or wrong

[@scottt3491]

Great vid. Thanks for the tips! Love the comment about pro welders watching the vid.

[@pjstledger]

You do good job for a beginner. As a beginner myself, I never knew about the tapping method. I'll give it tey next time. I personally like 6011. Slag doesn't always clean up as nice, but in my experience I can keep the arc on it longer.

[@thomaslewis9526]

Me too, you can get it anywhere and run it on any kind of stick welder. I saw a guy make a box out of 18ga (1.2mm) sheet using 3/32" 6011 at 35A DC. It almost looked TIG welded. I think some machines will do this a lot better than others, but the aggressive arc of 6011 can let you get away with low current, and it it fast freeze like 6013. I know what I'll be trying this welding season.

[@terrinewman7390]

I'm NOT a pro but I still liked the video because I'm thinking of trying stick welding!

[@insidemarketacornerstoneme9215]

great stuff fella. love your attitude too.

[@broderickclemons2268]

Appreciate the video sir. Before a professional was dawned a professional they started from the beginning just like you and I. No one ever just picked up a skilled trade day one and made professional status same day. How can you do something right if you never do it wrong ie.. Learning, proficient, no give up, equals professional.