TFS: The Coolest Stick Welding Tacking Trick I Learned

[@TheFabricatorSeries]

Metal used in today's episode was provided by weldmetalsonline.com/ Tools & Gear We Use and Recommend www.amazon.com/shop/thefabricationseries Learn to TIG Weld in Our Class! thefabricatorseries.com/classes

[@raimondomonachino1394]

The Fabrication Series l

[@383SS350]

No link to that stick welder you like so much?

[@arisxinos7268]

Nice! Can you make a video on how to stick galvanized pipes?

[@trippsmclovin]

Love it man, good tips for newbies.

[@frankh.3849]

The start of the video was me today 😭

[@blizanthimum]

Keep your short remnant rods, even if they have an inch or less of flux left, and use them for tacking.

[@checkpoint3260]

And fine work... and Texas tig. Ya you can do almost anything with an old lightning box and some rod

[@damionlee7658]

Honestly this is what I thought the "Trick" was going to be.

[@OnRappel]

Yep, that's what I do.

[@jasonquizon7620]

@@damionlee7658 me too

[@SublimeSNJ]

this video could have been 5 seconds long.

[@Tommy_Mac]

Top tip! My welding teacher got me started on stick with a simple tip. Strike the arc with a quick, sweeping motion like lighting a match. Once struck move to the start of the joint. Usually the arc is maintained and has little or no transfer of rod to the work until you slow down to actual welding speed. Breaking away a bit of the flux on the rod tip helps too. Hope this helps somebody...

[@ellismidkiff6117]

I light tap with a little tickle. Lol seriously

[@GovtSlave]

A safety tip for any amateurs or beginners. Years ago when I was a young man, I was welding on a metal walkway in a factory. I had my stick welder ground clamped to the walkway and was sitting on the walkway while welding. For some reason I had taken my right hand glove off and grabbed a new rod, stuck it in the holder, and nearly electrocuted myself. I'm only here today because I was able to muster up enough strength to throw it down. Be very careful when handling the stick with the welder power on. Being in contact with the welder ground while handling the stick can have serious consequences i.e. death.

[@leehaelters6182]

Thanks for the caution!

[@rex_schd]

Does gloves insulate well ? especially when the worker is sweating .I believe normal welding gloves are meant to resist heat

[@GovtSlave]

@@rex_schd Probably better than bare hands and as long as your not in contact with the welding machines ground there's likely no issue. But, after my experience and to this day, I turn the welder off when replacing rods. Probably overkill but that one experience was enough for me.

[@arinasan247]

Thank you

[@ioanniskonovesis3438]

Yeah it's rare but it can happen it happened on a factory my grandfather was working a guy died from it

[@stevescoville5122]

Dude... I am the DYI guy with that exact problem. You’ll never know how much you’ve helped me (I’m self teaching, along with you) thanks so much.

[@maylockin]

Justen, I have welded for 50 years never thought to choke up on the rod for tacking great tip!

[@igorpadurjan5714]

How are you still alive

[@cid4887]

@@igorpadurjan5714 because he welded himself back to great shape everytime he's broken.

[@igorpadurjan5714]

@@cid4887 genius

[@coreymcconnell1908]

He didn't tell you he welded once 49 years ago and then again last year, hell been welding for 50 years right??? . Ya, I've met a few 50 year welders. Can't figure out one end of a rod from the other.

[@huygfc4257]

Bitch I've done it since i was born.

[@WranglerSlim]

When I did stick welding, I used the pencil method to start full welds, too. Just hold the stinger with your welding hand, and pencil-grip the rod with your off-hand when starting. After starting the arc, gently let go of the rod and smoothly bring your off-hand up to support your other hand or arm. Takes a little practice, but is well worth it when you need to weld stuff without leaving arc marks all over everything.

[@manoweb1]

so if I'm holding my welding hand with my off-hand, who's holding the stinger and rod? 🤪

[@colbybadeaux8499]

I do the same as you sometimes. Not all the time. How I do it depends on how and what I’m welding

[@thoughtlesskills]

I'm surprised sneaking up on it didn't work.

[@testbooster]

LMAO that was funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@usernamemykel]

Nah, they've got all those "sensor" thingies...

[@ramlife5437]

😂😂

[@willie_mccoy]

Oh man, that intro was me way back in high school welding class!!!

[@kundetjenesten]

I think that was all of us when we first started... 🤣

[@lansx42]

Same goes to me .. until now .. Hahaahaaa

[@harrypehkonen]

Such positivity! "It will burn your gloves off" with a smile. Good advice too! Like!

[@russellstephan6844]

Another tip for difficult starts... Have a piece of scrap grounded where one can strike the electrode and get it hot prior to touching the real part. Real part starts become lots easier. Also, one can run lower amperages on thinner material with a previously heated electrode.

[@shaunlastname391]

I prefer to go bare hand and unmasked. I cool my skin from burning with the tears of lesser men watching me

[@akumpi]

+lashes are the best eye protection for grinding

[@SLAutoRepair]

Safety squints!

[@Seanyseany-yx9py]

I think your tampon protects you from your "GAYNESS"

[@bioshockzoa]

Nice to see other alpha male on youtube

[@11304800]

Shaun you’re so full of it lol

[@kevinashby3784]

After all these years trying to figure it out, this is by far the BEST trick I’ve ever seen for tacking. Thanks SO much.

[@WebberAerialImaging]

Because of neuromuscular tremors, I've had to do this all my life. Makes Tig and gas welding fun, also. Great tip!

[@checkpoint3260]

I bet your welds are beautiful unique pieces of art.

[@markharrisllb]

I’m on a lot of medication that give me the shakes, the trouble is the more I think about it the worse I get.

[@HisNameIsTater]

@@markharrisllb I shake lots too but it's from drinking to much the night before with the boys. The shakes are how I put the ripples in

[@kevinmurphy398]

Informative for those who wish to stick weld. What was shown was flat stick weld, then there's vertical and overhead. After many years of stick welding, just as I did, it will become so much easier. The type of stick and the diameter of the stick are another choice that needs to be made. It will come to you in time.

[@willybee3056]

Also,,, the right rod,,, the right heat,,, and dry and fresh rods... We kept our rods in a hot box, so they did not draw moisture. This makes a big difference. .. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@christhespark]

first minute...show off

[@christhespark]

first minute...show off

[@Str8sixfan]

I love the infonercial drama, struggle at the beginning. Made me laugh. We all remember the first time we were trying to start to weld...the struggle is real. That was some good humor, because it was real. Cool tip!

[@garrettbrown2883]

Hell I still struggle like that with 7018

[@kcb5336]

I learned years ago in my introduction to welding to imagine your writing a letter. So set yourself up comfortable. Great advice. This was a good vid. Great tip.

[@monsterr6764]

I love how the beggining was exactly me when i first tried to learn how to strike an arc

[@Dr_Wrong]

everybody lol

[@andrewallen2999]

Same here, Bud. Especially the toss the thing and walk away. But it's a bike riding type deal... get on it again after a smoke and get to it.

[@wallacebiy]

Me this afternoon trying to weld 0.5mm steel tubing onto flat 0.5mm box , with a 2.5mm rod ( cos I hate the 1.6mm rods I have , they fly everywhere ) I made some dirty holes in that thing ..

[@michaelhite1433]

Did you record me stick welding for the intro!😁😂😂😂

[@zeropoint7665]

No Sh*t....the 1st minute was me in my first day of school years ago.

[@jpwdowiak]

😂

[@dragan3290]

Definitely me

[@WatchMeDIYIt]

That’s still me! 😂

[@blades2255]

Lol

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Any professional will find the easiest way to do things. This is a wonderful tip. :) I’m no welder and never do enough to get properly good. I cut the rods in half and use the angle in slot on the stinger handle. It puts the business end closer to my hand for better control.

[@Mecatronicgarage]

I always cut the electrodes in half or keep shorter electrodes of the remains.

[@Broadpaw_Fox]

This. Exactly this. If you're doing a reasonable bit of stick welding you're going to have some stubs laying around that still have enough on them for a few good tacks- just drop them in a handy box or container near the whole rods and grab one or two as needed when tacking. :) I will say though, if you run out of stubs, or are away from your normal welding area/supplies, then this method is a lifesaver. :)

[@timm.6391]

I agree, keep decent length stubs for tacking, also keep you from cracking and breaking the flux on the rod from weight strain using this guy's method.

[@timm.6391]

Or just 2 hand your electrode, other simple solution.

[@Broadpaw_Fox]

@@timm.6391 - that's definitely what I do when welding (guided the tip with my other hands fingers), but when tacking small things like in this video, you really need to hold them still. Yes, you can clamp them, but for small quick things it's usually down to holding them by hand and one handing the stinger... that's when the tricks above come into play. ;)

[@timm.6391]

Or just tack with you low power wire feed... wire feed flux has its place it larger welds, one being simply fast tacking

[@simonia3178]

Omg that's me in the intro just today I swear , just bought a wealding maching and tried it for the first time in my life

[@tommyt2854]

Love how you "snuck up on it" and later threw the stinger, reminds me of the guys at work!!! And yea, there is a "caution, flying objects" sign in our shop!!!

[@aaronevan4065]

I went to welding school for 2 years and this helped my stick game more than the whole 2 years

[@xkingdeus6019]

@Durval Clinton Ya no need to be rude but durval is right😂

[@KingOath]

You can also crank the amps up way higher for tacking than you’d normally weld with. Makes it a lot easier to strike the arc

[@iansmith8944]

A good welding machine has an amp jump at the Beginning then drops it down

[@KingOath]

Ian Smith That’s right, some of us don’t have a good welding machine though haha 👍🏻

[@iansmith8944]

Marty McFly yeah I gotcha man. To be honest when I was doing stick in welding school we had really nice machines but if I was doing a bunch of tacking I’d crank the amps

[@gumboot65]

@@KingOath Yup, that's my machine. A real old Hobart AC machine . I've tried everything possible and the only 2 rods it will weld with is 6011 and 6013 . And even then its a challenge getting the rod to start actually welding.

[@KingOath]

gumboot65 Yeah same, mines newish but just a budget AC buzz box to get me by till I can learn and buy a TIG. For some reason everytime I use it I have to find the right current setting again and it can be wildly different from one day to the next, same material same rods haha. The other day is was burning along perfectly at 50amps on a 2.5 rod, a week later it wouldn’t even strike at 50 and I ended up running it on 95amps doing basically the exact same type of weld 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jc-pj3nh]

Been welding a long time and you just showed me something I never knew. Never too old to learn new tricks! Thanks. Everlasting welders are great. It is my favorite welders in my shop.

[@alexmiller5751]

Also, if you struggle using 6011 rod, turn it upside to 1109 rod. 60% of the time it works every time.

[@nightmareinaction629]

Alex Miller that doesnt make sense

[@melgross]

nightmare in action yeah, it does. But only 72% of 81% of the time.

[@nightmareinaction629]

Mel Gross I dont think you know what I mean it's from an old movie

[@melgross]

It doesn’t matter, I’m sure that most people didn’t get the reference. A post needs to stand on its own. I think you should be responding to nightmare in action instead. At least my response was an attempt to be funny.

[@alexmiller5751]

Lol if you flip the rod to the other side of the stinger the 6011 is upside down, but it perfectly turns into the number 1109. Making it an entirely different rod meaning it starts right up

[@ronaldpantalena3023]

I am a very novice welder which is to say that I don't know what I'm doing. As I watched the beginning part of this video I laughed hysterically and wondered how you caught me trying to weld on video. This hint is a tremendous help and I plan to try it the next chance I get.

[@keithjurena9319]

Half used rods. Prep by grinding the tip on a 80 grit flap wheel. Even 7018 starts like new.

[@vTheCoDPhantom]

Just hit the end of the rod off the table, it usually breaks off pretty good. Good tip though!

[@bojengels1]

Just file the bastard...with a bastard file.

[@WranglerSlim]

When I went to welding school, they taught us to put the rod in the stinger and scratch the underside of the metal table with it. The combination of scraping the rod across metal and arcing it up, cleans the rod end well enough to make it useable.

[@theoprice721]

Josias von Leiswolf I just knock it off with my finger or drag it along something

[@JD-hf6me]

I just us thumb of my glove fresh start every time

[@ricoloco2803]

Man, I gotta thank you. Trying to teach myself, on a repurposed Transformer with little to no budget / time has not been easy. Quite discouraging in fact. The beginning of this video remind me I'm not alone in my frustration and helped me more than I think any tip ever could by restoring my resolution. Plus it made me laugh so loud I think I woke up my neighbors

[@NofaKingway]

Great tip, a lot of folk who've learned themselves tend to be a touch scared of holding or touching the electrode. All that heat, sparks and the fear of electricity (100 amps seems scary doesn't it?) But once you realise it's only 50v or so DC with gloves and get past your initial fears it is a great technique and can even be helpful for small precision welds. Don't be afraid to cut your electrode if you need to. Chip the flux off the end of the 2nd half and you have two small electrodes for tacking or more precision! As others have said, grabbing the ends out of the scrap bin is also good. Especially if you are using a rod that's difficult to start. Keeping those awkward short lengths around is good for tacks, even if they're no good for making a clean pass. I was lucky enough to get my intro to welding from a great old school machine shop owner. I'm by no means a great welder but he taught me this stuff early and it makes a difference.

[@TheUndyingAngel666]

Let's just be clear (From a Power Lineman) that 100 amps is about 99.9 amps more than is needed to end your life. The volts do not matter, they aren't what kills you, it's the amperage. 12v at an amperage even close to 1 (just 1 amp) is plenty enough to stop your heart. Not ragging on you, but the way you said it could leave some to believe that "It's just 50 volts DC, it can't hurt you" which is very false. Stay safe out there.

[@leehaelters6182]

@@TheUndyingAngel666, thanks for the cautionary counterpoint. With those numbers, are you talking AC or DC?

[@mikebrookes3856]

@@TheUndyingAngel666 You are of course correct about amperage being the killer (My first elex instructors of the US Navy taught the 30 milliamp lethal minimum.) but voltage is directly related. The inherent resistance of the human body will limit the current to less-than-lethal magnitudes (and likely less-than-noticeable) if only 12 volts is applied. In the US for just the reason of nominal body resistance, UL cert for an electrical appliance is not required for devices that operate at less than 48 volts peak. The greatest threat caused by potentials in the 50 volt neighborhood is the likelihood of secondary mishap. The welder gets shocked and the start/jerk/jump/twitch doesn't kill the welder, but the fall/drop/etc that results from the sudden involuntary motion kills someone else and/or the welder. Second your assertion that "50 volts is harmless" is false. But also concur with Kenny that the angst that one would experience dealing with utility line voltage or even household load center voltage is going overboard when applied to an arc welder. Thanks for your service out there with the big voltage. May the fangs of the Blue Light Serpent never find you. PS. Yes, there are ways to make even twelve volts hurt like hell, but this is a family-friendly forum, so they won't be mentioned...

[@mikebrookes3856]

@@leehaelters6182 With regard to heat-generating potential, 50 VAC is equivalent to 50 VDC. With regard to dielectric breakover such as sudden conduction through a glove, 50 VAC is more hazardous as 50 VAC == 50 Vrms which has a peak potential of ~71 volts.

[@leehaelters6182]

@@mikebrookes3856copy that, and thanks!

[@evankriel8661]

Man this was probably the first videos I watched about anything welding related in December of 2019. It's 2021 now and I've learned so much since then from MIG, TIG welding stainless and I'm finally starting to learn and practice TIG welding aluminum. So I just want to say thank you very much, and God bless😎😁.

[@stevejanka361]

As always, great tips, tricks and techniques. This trick is an excellent job procedure for all stick weld projects. Thanks and take care.

[@Jimmy-nv7mn]

Thanks for the tip. I love it when a pro gives good advice and helps a novice without a big load of ego. Just good helpful direction!

[@burniezarsoff4118]

I bought a welder years ago and just taught myself how to weld. I thought you were joking when you held the rod. All these years l thought that doing that would kill me.🤔😂

[@fakiirification]

it might if you have any uninsulated skin touching the ground source, I.E. your table, or the trailer frame, etc. At least if it doesnt kill you, it makes for a REALLY bad day, and a fun story you can tell the grandkids about that scar.

[@LukeA_55]

@@fakiirification wouldn't you be fine as long as your ground was correctly hooked to the work? The electricity should go to the path of least resistance.. or would you become that path?

[@fakiirification]

@@LukeA_55 yes, in most cases you would be fine. But we don't plan safety gear around the 99% of the time scenario. It's that one time something bad happens that gets ya.

[@dave-yj9mc]

@Aaron Czechlski I can feel a slight tingle through my gloves sometimes.

[@mikebrookes3856]

@@LukeA_55 The greatest danger exists while the electrode is away from the work and there is no arc. Under this condition the electrode will be charged up to the welding machine's Open Circuit (OC) voltage, and the welding machine operator will be the only conduction path. Putting the operator in parallel with the electrode while the arc is lit will expose the operator to the arc voltage, which is generally around 20 to 24 volts, and likely wouldn't be noticeable to most humans. OC voltage can be upwards of 72 volts, which can cause a pretty serious shock for all but the most calloused of humans. If the machine is modern with a high-frequency pilot, then the electrode will see pulses of the pilot voltage, which is essentially the discharge from an ignition coil. The purpose of the pilot voltage is to create an initial path of ionized air between the electrode and the work, and could be upwards of 20 kV (Twenty thousand volts.) Bottom line: Stay out of touch.

[@kiffaj9982]

As a trainer/assessor in Australia,I use this tip all the time. Ta mate. Queenslander.

[@VSO_Gun_Channel]

Shit...I’ve been welding DIY level since I was 14....if only I knew.

[@franksgarageandcustoms8321]

Never really thought about it,have used this before,watched an old guy welding. Has his hand on the rod to steady it. Great tip to share! And i usually use a hand to steady the rod when its full length.

[@HTHCLLC]

45 sec in...had to pause. Due to milk coming out of my nose while LMAO. Best Laugh this year. TY

[@salvagedsteelstudio]

So many questions... Who drinks milk anymore? How was this funny? Do you go the the movies? - if yes, are people around you always triggered? What if you hear something even more humorous before the end of the year, will you come back and edit your comment? Please... help us understand!

[@tomislavrom8906]

@Everything, @ben gib, @Protus: Enthusiasm destroyers....

[@tomislavrom8906]

@ HTHC As a professional welder, I also find this very funny. Keep up the good attitude bro' and don't let the haters bother ya! See ya, gonna drink some milk too.

[@MKChase-uj9vx]

@@salvagedsteelstudio 🤭 humour police in the house!

[@usernamemykel]

Mother's milk?

[@garrettbrown2883]

Also a great way to use up the sticks you’ve already partially used. I frequently end up with sticks that have 1-2 inches of good stick left and most of them end up on the ground and then in the trash. But I like to keep a few in a small cup on the side of my welding table.

[@jackthorne1663]

Been a boilermaker welder for the last 5 years and I haven't even thought of this wish I knew this when I was learning

[@thebob3712]

this is ok for a hobby/backyard welder but if I saw a fellow tradesman doing this id be taking the piss out of him for the next week. If I saw you doing this I would question your abilities as a tradesman.

[@dallasdavis3246]

@@thebob3712 lol as a boilermaker for 19 years id do the same thing they would be doing other things besides welding

[@TURBOTHETANK23]

20 yrs under the hood for me, so a tack aint no big deal. But i gotta say your introduction was spot on, i got a good laugh from it. Great tip!

[@darrenwesthead2612]

Why not use a striking up plate first to get the electrode hot enough to do your tacking. Plus turn up your amps for tacking.

[@santiagoperez2094]

Thats exactly what most of people do

[@rubygreen1249]

Yea agree higher amps less resistance in current flow = easier start up making nice tack welds, or using smaller rod for tacking allowing for less energy resistance making a better arc. Also making sure to have a good ground for very good start up also matters quite a bit.

[@johnkruton9708]

C W ain’t that the truth!!!

[@jonahmowinski4457]

Nice tip. I'm 5 months into welding school so those sticks dont get stuck as much but even the best of us get one stuck from time to time. Thanks for the tip!

[@PyroShim]

I always keep some almost used up rods around for tacking.

[@checkpoint3260]

Ya I ether do that or I find them in my pant cuffs when I wash my pants

[@DryLog420]

I thought about this. My trick is just to use my mig. If it's too thick, I can't weld it so I don't bother and instead wish I had a stick. Good trick though.

[@scottjacobs7341]

I do that too, but I have done it like in the video to

[@black07rr]

I just clamp halfway down the rod, wiggle the rod until the flux falls off and I have a good connection

[@jarrodpenton2649]

I been welding my broken tractor parts for years now I'm no pro by no means but in this 4 minutes of you welding i can tell you have done it a long time 💯 great video

[@jasonrowland1584]

I’ve found a beer takes care of those shaking hands.

[@berwidwhitaker2360]

Lol.... Good one!

[@toby621]

or 6

[@jarrodpenton2649]

Yes yes and yes he'll its only Electricity

[@ioanniskonovesis3438]

No wonder all drunk construction worker's do miracle at my work

[@jc9376]

Until you wake up one day and find you have shaky hands and a sweaty face when you don't have any beer left. Thats always fun.

[@vladorlovsky6623]

I’ve been cutting my rods in half for tacking things. This is so much easier. Thank you for the tip.

[@trg3761]

I use to save my 4” stubs and use them to tack weld when i was learning.

[@jafolost]

Just found your channel , what a great piece of advice . As a new farmer < less than 4 years > I need all the welding tips I can get . Welding is a constant on a farm Anything big or detailed goes to the local prows. Some day you just need it to stay together for one more day before you get professional help ! Thanks for your hard work .

[@brandonh.8882]

Clamp the metal to the table. Stand up, being bent over like that puts you in an awkward position and you wont be comfortable. Lastly dont poke the rod at the metal, drag it along the joint like your striking a match.

[@tonysmith5465]

Wonderful video. Great advice. Keep up the good work. Part time welder. SC Navy vet.

[@LosBestauradores]

Nice tip!

[@pienapple6969]

Brilliant. I’m an ex boilie on the tools for 10 years Back in the 80’s, and still in and around fab shops, though hands off, and I’ve never seen or heard of that. Really good idea

[@dandiller8358]

Bad ass been doing it for years. Thanks for showing that to new fabricators

[@NieMaZadnychNickow]

Damn, that is very useful. As an industrial mechanic I often do some welding here and there, unfortunately usually with no clamps or a decent bench so this will help me a ton. Thanks mate.

[@franknapolitano2745]

He really make everything better, great communication skills thank you

[@thomasbartlett6771]

Clever techniques and thanks for posting! Great for fixing 16 gauge automotive exhaust pipe repairs using 3/32 6013 @ 75 amps AC.. Update, choking up on the rod is THE BEST advice and technique I have seen to really improve welding, especially on thin metals!! THAN YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@ックエリ-j1y]

Or just cut a welding rod in half, or into 3 little rods, make a small supply of "tack only" rods.... Seriously, especially if you buy your own gloves. Lol

[@MrEd-fu3dq]

I have done that 1/2 size rods, too. Makes it easier to do a series of short stitch welds, and it helps when you're welding in tight spaces.

[@Lord-Murdoch-69]

I just came across this video and subscribed immediately. Brother, i am a hard chrome electroplater and we have welding for repairs. I bought a hobby stick and a MIG Flux-core, thinking i could learn through my work. The jokes on me, as it turns out the boss has no interest in helping me as he thinks I'm going to move on. I'm a hobbyist who wants to expand my skill set to metal work and taking a course is simply not in my budget lol. I will apply this technique the next chance i get. Thanks very much...

[@Drunken_Hamster]

That opening scene was exactly me the first time I tried a stick welder. I thought the whole concept was worthless. Ended up using a mig that was probably on the wrong settings and didn't set the project up correctly, so it looked like crap and had leaks. (it was my nephew's exhaust on his truck, also my first time ever welding.) Perhaps I'll try it again, but either way, the welder I've got isn't the best, lol. Maybe I should go to school for welding since there are some things I want to do that require welding skills that I'd rather not pay an ass of money someone else to do when it seems so theoretically simple.

[@usernamemykel]

Theoretically simple? - you'll find out in class, if you can afford the tuition.

[@cparis6911]

Nice tip... either this method or just drag the rod to your tacking point to get a smooth start. I've been welding for over 50 yrs and a light touch and the right setting is always a plus. Increasing the amperage a little when tacking will keep it from sticking.

[@Turin-Fett]

If you ain't building a bridge, DON'T tack with 7018, use a cellulose rod, turn the damn welder up, and yes use a shorter rod.

[@checkpoint3260]

But muh munster coupon?

[@robertsherman8887]

Yup after 40 years being certified... the half rod comments were wearing on me... 6011 turn the heat up and learn how to weld! Its pretty simple...

[@henryrollins9177]

@@robertsherman8887 All machines run 6011's?

[@robertsherman8887]

@@henryrollins9177 It's pretty simple the first two or three numbers are the Rod metal spec's and the last 2 numbers are the Position the the last number is the flux compound. 1 is All position vertical, overhead and flat. 2 is horizontal and flat and 3 is Flat only. 6011 all position 7018,8018 9018 11018 all position. 7014 all position 7024 flat and horizontal...

[@michaelsalcido3736]

I must say, your presentation is fantastic. The way you speak (clear and understandable), the actual presentation w a bit of comedy for the intro, is great. Your voice is sports announcer material. Your comedy skits are hilarious bc they are exaggerated (actually, not really that exaggerated ) real world situations. I was laughing pretty good bc that is exactly what happens. Most of all, your applications are common sense. What I mean by that is, many of us are not experts by any means. Just simple DIYers trying to get a project done. Thanks for the efforts in making your kind of videos and advice and sharing. Great job! New sub here.

[@reedsilvesan2197]

excellent tip thank you dude also had a couple of good laughs specially when you were trying to sneak up on it I haven't tried that one yet

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Been playing with MIG for a number of years at work, but I knew I needed to learn stick. Started learning from a coworker, using an oddball rod we have - high tensile strength (120k+ psi), low hydrogen flux, meant for mixed metals and alloys - doesn't use the typical AWS numbering system, so you have to pay close attention to the data sheet that comes with it. I was having hell of a time starting it. I was using a scrap piece, but it was still good quality steel, not dirty and rusty... but it still had mill scale. I mentioned the mill scale. That were should clean it. The guy seemed ambivalent, but said, "go ahead". Night and day. No issues starting, no issues keeping it flowing, even with rookie mistakes of getting a long arc, I was able to keep it running and get a good feel for it. So, to everyone out there who wants to play welder - start with clean metal. Once you know how to weld clean metal, you can learn how to weld dirty. Learn the basics and proper technique first.

[@bertkutoob]

So, like who the heck gave you permission to sneak into my garage and video me trying to tack...? The shame! The shame!

[@michaelscott3803]

I bought the DC inverter Klutch welding machine stick/tig ST80i Plus from Northern Tool Company. It is regularly priced at $209 I got it on sale for $150. It's a great little welder & I have welded up to 3/8 mild steel with it & had no problem. Even though it is a 20% duty cycle, it never cut out on me & I welded for a while.The TIG rig accessories are seperate & that would be great to have, but I bought it for the purpose of welding small things & I like that it is 110 plug in for major convenience. I didn't buy it until I did much review & I am not disappointed. There are a few review videos on KZbin. Great buy.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

And great tip that literally never occured to me after welding for 20+yrs lol......!!!

[@lbar2458]

I have been cutting my sticks into thirds for more control. Thank you for showing this its awesome

[@maxgood42]

Thank you , I do things like that and its comforting to know I'm not alone. LMAO at the start. AWESOME

[@brokencoffeestories8291]

Sweaaaaarrr this me at the beginning. Literally spend hours making sure it won't come off mid weld or crooked for a vertical weld. Mind blown🤯🤯🤯

[@ypaulbrown]

Outstanding... don't quit your day job..... hahaha.... that's why it's called Stick welding.... good info buddy.... thanks for posting... PB

[@robertmoore4330]

That's a great tip, I started playing around with a stick welder awhile back because someone gave me one. That was pretty much the same issue I was having, it was very difficult to get a start. I also had those issues with the stick getting stuck to the work. Back then, I hadn't done much practicing, and really have just gotten a pretty good grasp of making a decent bead with mig on sheet metal. You held the stick just as though you were tig welding/brazing. I'm sure that would have helped alot, and it will in the future. A good helmet would also be a great help. I would like to have a nice auto dimming helmet, more recently I have been using closed eyes for tacking, or a hand held eye shield during mig welding for beads.

[@ThisSentenceIsFalse]

Oh good. I feel vindicated now that I've seen somebody else do this. I thought I was commiting a cardinal sin, but it's so much easier to grab the flux.

[@checkpoint3260]

No... you must grab brush... by very far end. Teach control an concentration Daniel son

[@jw11432]

I just did a little bit of welding this past weekend for the first time with a 70 amp harbor freight stick welder and eventually went to this technique after realizing there was no way I could hold it by the clamp lol I agree, it's great to know I inadvertently was using a trick that is known!

[@leehaelters6182]

@@checkpoint3260, wax on, wax off!

[@Vermundr44]

What the hell, ive never seen someone explain something so informative and casually. Subbed seriously good

[@emoboy380]

The intro reminds me of the people I use to teach to weld

[@hicksy302]

I was taught to lay the torch lead over my wrist to support the weight of the lead this reduces the lead movement from affecting the rod tip movement and warm your rods before using them this always makes striking an arc a lot easier

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

Cool little trick.... Forty years of welding, I've never seen it done. What I have seen that's similar, is some poor bastard with we gloves working in the rain..... ZAP the crap out of himself when his glove touched the stick!!!! I confess, zapped myself a few times over the years switching sticks in adverse conditions too... Kinda electrifying 😎 Even better when you are out in a field, under a broken piece of equipment laying in the mud!!!

[@kevinshiley9061]

I worked in a railcar shop, and large parts would come in covered with snow and you would get wet. You had to be so careful, your every move to keep from getting lit up!! Also with so many positions close together, everywhere you looked someone was striking an arc.

[@youthised58]

I like the way you sneaked up on it. You got to catch it off guard.

[@throughmylens5127]

You didn't wipe the cobb webs off the rod

[@davidmay888]

Day four of lockdown here in Spain. All is good. This was both educational and entertaining. But the comment are what I truly enjoyed. New subscriber.

[@timturner7609]

At first I thought it was me trying to weld. but at 0:24 I realized it wasnt. I never rever remember to drop the mask before striking the arc.

[@capnbilll2913]

Use an electric (self darkening) mask.

[@MC-hs4mf]

@@capnbilll2913 what good if he doesnt drop it down?

[@HowlingWolfLeather]

This guy is excellent at explaining things.

[@xkingdeus6019]

The moment I saw the electrode shaking in the beginning I knew that part was a joke 😂

[@ataarjomand]

Thanks a million. It was priceless. I never dared grabbing the stick until now.

[@charlesblake7552]

Question; how do you keep from breathing that poisonous smoke. My brother died from it.

[@richardchase4019]

Liar

[@juwancummings6945]

Respirator, PAPR systems, exhaust things that inhale the fumes

[@jastrckl]

A fan helps

[@crazyd3mon968]

I've just started stick welding and trying to build up the muscle memory for tacking is a real pain this will help a lot thanks.

[@bbw4lyf]

Me with one short glove, a sleeveless t shirt, closing my eyes and looking away, with flip flops on 👁 👄 👁

[@oldoldpilgrim7898]

I have a no frills DC machine. Warming up the electrode on a piece of scrap or dedicated material helps me tremendously.

[@themikecranston]

May have just reduced my foul-language by 75%! Awesome!

[@tommyt2854]

Lol, it'll come back the first time you try this with damp gloves!!

[@ghostyasha7197]

I love this guy he seems soo chill

[@chadmerkley9465]

"Grab it by the flux." -Don Trump

[@leehaelters6182]

Hah!

[@usernamemykel]

Don Tweety?

[@michaelbanasiak3015]

As I am a combo welder. I think this is a well done video for beginners.

[@superpedro7295]

I learned something and i been welding for 13 years

[@777brucekim777]

Great tip which will try tomorrow. Your introduction reminded me of my welding. Thanks

[@laughingone3728]

That's a good tip. It's also good to keep stubs of partly used rods for the same reason. Obviously they must be kept dry.

[@69JANKS]

I just cut the sticks shorter , better & accurate control. A little annoying changing em over more often, but great for tack welding & them delicate jobs 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@shovelheadseven]

Great intro. Realistic as hell when you first start welding.