One of the reasons why a beautiful, high-quality weld is obtained is the constant angle of inclination of the electrode throughout the entire welding process. Experienced guys don't even think about it, everything here happens on reflexes.
And beginners often change the angle of incline a lot during the process. It is undesirable to do this, so I will show you how to keep the same angle of the electrode to the part all the time.
In most cases, when welding, the electrode itself must be held at about 45 degrees to the part to be welded. This will be the optimal penetration depth of the metal and the arc pressure drives the slag well - for rutile-coated electrodes.
If we clamp the electrode in the holder at 90 degrees. The first moments of welding, the angle to the part of 45 degrees is controlled without problems. But difficulties soon arise.
When about half of the electrode burns out, this is for 3 mm rods. The handle of the holder begins to rest against the part - if the part is long. Beginners start to lift the handle and the angle of the electrode changes. This is undesirable.
You just need to move the handle to the right, counterclockwise. The shorter the electrode becomes, the more we move the handle to the right. You can move to the left, but it will just be inconvenient for the brush to continue welding. Probably it will be easier for left-handed people to take it to the left, I don't know, I'm right-handed.
If you clamp the electrode in the holder at 45 degrees, then there are no problems at all. Throughout the seam, the angle is easily controlled and you don't need to do anything to the end of the electrode, just weld. The only thing, while the first third of the electrode is on, there will be a slight voltage in the brush. Then everything is fine.
Welding of ceiling seams. Just fix the electrode in the holder at 45 degrees. It is convenient to hold the handle in the brush in a horizontal position, so the electrode goes as needed to the parts to be welded at 45 degrees. There is one difficulty for vertical and horizontal seams, I will show you now.
Of course, we attach the electrode to the holder at 45 degrees. But in order for the electrode to be at 45 degrees to the part, you need to control the handle of the holder strictly vertically. For the hand, this position is not very comfortable. Therefore, the brush tends to the normal position and you get such a small blockage forward. Here the electrode will no longer be to the part at 45 degrees. What are we doing.
Just bend the electrode slightly up in the holder. Taking into account the blockage of the grip in the hand slightly forward, this action compensates for the lack of a 45 degree angle for vertical and horizontal seams.
When a person just started to get acquainted with manual arc welding, these simple tips will make his first steps a little easier. Over time, you will develop your own welding style. Every welder has one and every one is different.