Help me to expand my knowledge of welding!

[Eric1]

Hey everyone.

As I am new to welding, I am very interested in widening my knowledge of welding. I have been looking through youtube videos and articles on the internet but was wondering if you guys knew any useful videos,articles etc that would benefit a beginner ?

 

[shenion]

There are always the tutorials here on this web site. look at the ARC - MIG - TIG links at the top of the page.

One good source is the Miller resources page.

The lincolnelectric.com has similar articles.

 

[Eric1]

Thank you for the links, ill look them up.
Im wanting to get a good understanding of welding.

 

[Engineer]

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

 

[Eric1]

Thank you.
Has anyone got any links relating to pipe welding ?

 

[keith19]

Nice little video here on thin wall pipe welding, exhaust pipe in this case:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JohBHzhOyPg

 

[Eric1]

Ok, can someone clear something up for me regarding the basic arc welding circuit please ?
I have been looking up on the internet and I am a bit confused.

I would like to know, from you guys, what a Workpiece Connection, Workpiece Lead, Ground Connection and Ground Clamp are.
The websites that I have looked up differ in what they define as each.
I would just like to hear it from proper welders to try clear it up a bit.

Thank you.

 

[Country Joe]

Earth, the "other" connection that your torch/stinger isn't in!
The actual clamp is what makes it stay on the workpiece.
If you don't connect it, you don't get an arc.
Not always shown in the videos!
CJ

 

[Eric1]

Ok, so you have the Workpiece lead/cable that attaches onto the Workpiece by a Clamp. Is this what you guys call the ground clamp ? As thats what I have heard on the youtube videos I have seen.
However, ona certain article, it states that his is the incorrect term.

 

[Country Joe]

Ok, so you have the Workpiece lead/cable that attaches onto the Workpiece by a Clamp. Is this what you guys call the ground clamp ? As thats what I have heard on the youtube videos I have seen.
However, ona certain article, it states that his is the incorrect term.

All those terms just say "earth", to me.
Maybe it's just a pedantic article!
CJ

 

[Hitch]

Work connection, Earth, Earth Return, Return lead, Ground.... all the same thing.

Return is the correct term, but Earth is probably the most widley used.

As CJ said, its the one that isnt the rod holder.

 

[the snooper]

its has to be work / workpiece connection as it isnt a ground or an earth, it cant be simply classed as negative connection as some machines are AC and there is no polarity

 

[Eric1]

Ok, managed to find a diagram that clears it up a little.

Stated as the 'return lead' here, this is also known as the Workpiece Lead? The one that attaches onto the workpiece by a clamp ?

 

[Eric1]

As a beginner, what should I be looking up?
I dont want to be looking up stuff that is not really necessary.

I have been looking up stuff like, different types of arc welding, arc welding circuit, how the arc is created, arc shielding . . .
Should I now look up videos on welding techniques etc ?