Employing the proper shielding gas is a critical step in producing high-quality welds. Shielding gases stream down onto a workpiece, surrounding the arc of electricity as it is drawn down to the workpiece. This process greatly increases stability of the arc, making precision welding much easier. Shielding gases allow for the creation of smoother welds and help prevent contaminates from compromising welds.
Argon gas is the most widely used shielding gas in most methods of welding. A shielding gas consisting of argon and carbon dioxide is ideal for working on thicker-gauged steel. While working on thinner steel, a combination of 75 percent argon, 25 percent carbon dioxide shielding gas is ideal. Argon with helium shielding gases work well while welding on aluminum. An argon, helium and carbon dioxide combination will work well on stainless steel.
Having a welding system properly grounded is a critical step in ensuring streams of electricity will be steady and go uninterrupted. An improperly grounded system can make it more difficult to provide a starting voltage to the welding system. While copper is one of the more efficient electric conductors, most modern-day grounding clamps are made out of plated steel. These steel grounding clamps have a small amount of copper at the contact point. Employing an all-copper grounding clamp makes it easier to create a starting voltage.
Welding with only one hand on the electrode is not recommended. Using both hands while welding results in the creation of more even and accurate welds. Having the contact tip at the end of a welding gun protruding too far out or retracted too far in can negatively affect the quality of a weld. Sticking the contact tip out about 1/4-inch is ideal for welding on most materials. Having the tip out a little more (about 3/4-inch) makes welding on thinner sheet metals a little easier.