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What is Stick Welding?
Stick welding is an arc welding process that uses welding sticks, also called welding rods. This process is also known as manual arc welding or shielded metal arc welding. The welding sticks are composed of filler metal and flux. The flux component serves to protect the molten metal of the weld while the filler metal is used to join two pieces of metal together.
The equipment and method used in this process are very basic. A ground cable is clamped to the work piece and connected to one side of an arc welding power supply. The electrode cable and electrode holder are connected to the other side of the power supply unit. The consumable welding stick is placed in the electrode holder and is used as an electrode, closing the power supply circuit. When this circuit is closed, the electrical resistance of the base metals of the work piece and filler metal create the high amounts of heat necessary for welding.
To start the stick welding process, the electrode is quickly struck against the work piece to create an electric arc. This step is called striking an arc. By moving along the joint and maintaining close proximity with the electrode and the work piece, a long, continuous weld can be made. Once the weld is made and allowed to cool, the slag created by the protective action of the flux is tapped off using a slag hammer. The joint is then ready for finishing or more welding.
Due to ease of operation and low operating costs, stick welding is one of the most common industrial welding processes. While it is primarily used to weld base metals such as iron and steel, there are many other metals that can be joined using this process. A few of these other metals include aluminum, copper alloys, and nickel. These other metals may require special welding sticks to avoid problems with incompatible metals in a weld.
The stick welding method is commonly used in the construction of pipelines, automotive repair, steel building construction, and industrial fabrication. With the methods versatility and low equipment costs, it has also found a place in home workshops. The main drawback to using this method of welding is weld splatter. This occurs when pieces of molten metal adhere to the areas outside of the joint. While the stick welding technique does not produce the clean welds of the laser welding processes, it is more than adequate for many industrial and home welding applications.
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![Welding goggles.]()
By: mbongoWelding goggles. -
![Welders should wear helmets and gloves for protection.]()
By: T-REXWelders should wear helmets and gloves for protection. -
![Stick welding is also known as shielded metal arc welding.]()
By: cbphotoStick welding is also known as shielded metal arc welding. -
![Stick welding uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the bead.]()
By: roman023Stick welding uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the bead.
Discussion Comments
@ToniMorr Yes, stick welding usually leads to spatter, but this can quickly be cleaned up with an angle grinder. Removing the spatter in this way does add a second operation, but it goes by pretty fast.
Stick welding is best used in applications where appearance isn't critical, like welding structural I-beams together. The welds (and the I-beams themselves, will all get covered by other building materials anyway.
I took a welding class where we learned all kinds of welding. Stick welding is probably the easiest to master because you just clamp your pieces down and drag the stick along the joint. There are settings on the machine that you have to play with, but when you are starting out, trial and error works fine. You also have to control your speed, but this only takes a little practice.
The materials that you are welding can also impact the difficulty. Welding an inside corner of two plates butted up against each other is probably the easiest. Pipe welding on the other hand is one of the hardest because as you make your way around, your position constantly changes.
The weld from stick welding can be very strong but unfortunately the bead appearance is pretty poor. There is usually a lot of spatter.
MIG welding is also surprisingly easy, but it takes a little longer to master.
TIG welding - now that's hard!
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