As professional stud welders and stud welding suppliers, we know pretty much everything there is to know about stud welding. We did not get here overnight though. Stud welding requires copious amounts of experience and practice. Below are a few stud welding fundamentals that every novice should learn!
Pre- Stud Welding
To make a proper weld, you need to have your supplies and work space properly prepped. First, it is important that the work surface is clean and that there are no contaminants that may interfere with the quality of the weld. If your work piece is dirty, we recommend cleaning it with a cleaning solution and a paper towel. Let the work piece dry before beginning the weld. You also want to make sure you keep all studs and ferrules clean and dry. This protects against all kinds of rusting.
Setting up the Weld
Once you’ve prepared everything for the weld, its time to calibrate your stud welding equipment. You want to set the appropriate weld time and amperage for the weld base diameter; this will depend on the type of weld (Arc or CD) and the type of fastener you are using.
When inserting the stud into the chuck, you want to make sure that the negative pole of stud is facing the stud gun. In Arc welding, 3/16″ to 1/4″ of the stud should protrude beyond the ferrule. If it does not, then align the legs to that measurement. Now wimple place the stud firmly and directly on to the work piece and pull the trigger to initiate the weld.
Post- Stud Welding
After the weld is complete we recommend inspecting it. Even if you feel that you have done everything right, the weld may come out weak. If the weld seems to be sitting on top of the parent material, there may be weakness in the weld zone. Another indicator of weakness could be excessive burn-through.
Which looks like the right stud weld?
From stud welding contractors to fasteners to rental equipment, Sunbelt carries all the stud welding supplies and services you’ll ever need. Give us a call at 713-939-8903 for more stud welding advice and to inquire about our stud welding equipment and fasteners.