Earth Clamp Sticking to work

[MrBlobby]

When welding some angle iron with my Clarke 135SE, I found the earth clamp had stuck to the workpiece, presumably due to heat build up.

I'd sanded the angle prior to welding. Is it me or is it worth fitting a better clamp?

 

[gordon stephenson]

Your earth clamp will have been arcing to the workpiece, denoting a bad contact.When possible always grind the workpiece clean and it sounds like you do need a much better clamp,
(there's no such thing as too good an earth connection)

 

[pedrobedro]

Also is your clamp steel ? Get a better quality one with brass clamping surfaces and wire it onto your earth lead, the stronger spring in them makes a lot of difference.

 

[MrBlobby]

Thanks Guys
Yes I'm using the standard Clarke earth clamp that came with the MIG - like a pressed-tin clothes peg

I'll have a look on ebay

Steve

 

[shenion]

Look for a Lenco-style clamp:

Really improved my 130EN. The sock clamp did not hold well. This one can take two hands to open wide.