Earth clamp placement

[Beady]

Another beginners question...

When trying to weld two pieces of pipe, on a non-metallic table, what should I do about the earth cable?

I guess I'm really asking - do both of the pieces I'm trying to weld need to be connected to the earth clamp directly with a strong earth or is the connection obtained through a but joint sufficient to allow the earth clamp to be connected to one pipe only??

 

[the snooper]

just clamp one piece, one you start welding they will be connected by the weld pool

 

[brightspark]

eath one of the pipes. butt together start welding the second u strike an ark up both pieces will be touching and thats suficient

 

[Beady]

Thanks a lot for clearing that up guys!

Just wasn't sure how much an earth is required - seeing all these steel table tops on YouTube videos made me wonder if I needed a high capacity earth connection to the both sides.

Thanks again!

 

[mr migwire]

always try and keep your earth as close to the job as is possible, a good return path makes for good welds.

 

[chevy2]

A good contact is important, ie clean steel,
if on painted, corroded or galvanised surfaces the clamp will often spark when you first start welding,

I've never had a problem with earth return lead length,
the earth from my tig is 3m long and clamped to a bench, 2m away at the other end of the bench is another 4m earth which is bolted on which then clamps onto whatever chassis i happen to be working on which can be up to 5m long,
so in effect i could in theory be welding with a 14m earth.
Also stick welded on sites with large genset welders that must have had 50m torch and earth return cables without problems,
As above all thats needed is a 'good' earth.

 

[Wallace]

always try and keep your earth as close to the job as is possible, a good return path makes for good welds.

^^^ What he said is a good habit to get into when starting out.

 

[Beady]

Thanks for the advice guys!

50m cables!!?? Jeez they must weigh a ton!!!

 

[chevy2]

Thanks for the advice guys!

50m cables!!?? Jeez they must weigh a ton!!!

They probably did, with about 48 metres layed out along the floor the 1 or 2 going to the rod holder wasn't heavy at all

 

[ChrisNash]

You could get some copper cable (an old earth lead will do). Loop it around one of the pieces of the pipe and the connect your earth clamp to the end of the copper. More contact points and less awkward to do.

 

[Hitch]

Thanks for the advice guys!

50m cables!!?? Jeez they must weigh a ton!!!

Certainly makes your arms ache trying to wind it all up!

As Snooped said, just make sure you start the pool on the part with the clamp on, then the two become one once you get the puddle onto the other part.