Welding Techniques and Troubleshooting Tips for Beginners

Study Notes

Natalio Cortes, Director of Training at Tulsa Welding School's Houston campus, discussing 101 welds and moving onto T plates.
Welding is a challenging skill requiring time, practice, and continuous learning.
Machine setup: ground connections, positive and negative settings, shield metal arc welding selected, power off.
Hot start: machine sets a higher amperage for a hotter start, then drops back to the set amperage for smoother welding.
Art control: affects the shape of the arc, opens up more in negatives, becomes more focused in positives.
ABCs in welding: always be comfortable by keeping cool.
Discussed fundamentals, building on what's learned in 101, and carrying knowledge through career.
Using a 7018 electrode, 332nd size, running at 90 amps.
Common issues students face: difficulty striking the arc, dragging the electrode, making puddles too wide and hot.
Provided solutions for better starts in 101 welding.- Welder is demonstrating various welding techniques and troubleshooting tips for beginners
Discusses the issue of electrode getting stuck to the workpiece
advises to pull and twist the electrode if it gets stuck, and quickly release it from the stinger if necessary
Warns against touching the electrode with bare hands to avoid burns
Talks about the importance of travel speed and maintaining a consistent puddle width
Demonstrates proper angle and distance from the workpiece for welding
Discusses the issue of dragging the electrode or waiting too long in the puddle, making the weld wide and uneven
Demonstrates proper body positioning and use of a guide to maintain a straight weld
Discusses the importance of chipping off slag properly and not using a sharp tip or knife edge to do so
Talks about the importance of knowing the correct arc length for proper welding
Discusses the difference between long and short arcs and their effects on the weld
Discusses the importance of keeping the tip of the electrode at the front edge of the puddle and guiding it down as the welder
Demonstrates cleaning the workpiece with a wire brush before welding
Talks about the importance of having a clean, bright, and shiny metal surface for welding
Mentions the use of a guide to help maintain a straight weld
Discusses the importance of proper body positioning and work angle for comfortable welding
Demonstrates the process of tacking a workpiece into place for horizontal welding
Discusses the importance of not moving the body during welding and keeping the electrode at a consistent angle and distance from the workpiece.

Description

Learn fundamental welding techniques, troubleshooting common issues, and important safety precautions for beginners. Topics include machine setup, hot start, art control, electrode selection, common student issues, proper body positioning, travel speed, maintaining consistent puddle width, and more.