What is stick welding?

Stick welding  is also known as shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) or manual metal arc welding(MMA)  . Stick welding is an arc welding process in which coalescence of metals is produced by heat from an electric arc that is maintained between the tip of a consumable covered electrode and the surface of the base metal in the joint being welded.

 

 

Stick welders are used in small welding shop, by the homeowner, by the farmer for repair of equipment – as well as industrial fabrication applications, structural steel erection and other commercial metals joining. All common materials can be welded with a stick machine, be sure to select the appropriate stick electrode for the material being welded. 

 

Advantages of stick welding are it is simple to use, inexpensive and portable. Auxiliary gas shielding or granular flux is not required. It can be used in areas of limited access. The process is suitable for most of the commonly used metals and alloys. The welding current used for stick welding may be either alternating current or direct current depending on the electrode being used. Direct current is the most common current choice for stick welding. The current flows in one direction only and has many advantages over alternating current for the stick process. These advantages include: fewer arc outages, less spatter, easier arc starting, less sticking and better control in out-of-position welds. 

 

Alternating current is an electrical current that has both a positive and a negative half-cycle value alternately. Current flows in a specific direction for one half-cycle stops at the zero line and then reverse direction of flow the next half-cycle at regular intervals. The AC sine wave represents the current flow as it builds in amount and time in the positive direction and then decreases in value and finally reaches zero. 

 

DC welding offers more advantages than AC for most stick applications, including: easier starts, fewer arc outages and sticking, less spatter/better looking welds; easier vertical up and overhead welding. A 225 to 300 amp machine handles almost anything the average person will encounter, as most stick welding procedures require 200 amps or less. To weld material thicker than 3/8 in, simply make multiple passes-this is what professionals` do, even when welding on 1 in structural steel.