Stick Welding Quick Tip... Shortening Electrodes (Video)

admin

Goodafternoon everyone, Just thought I'd share a quick video that I'd put together... This is on taking a full size 14" stick electrode, cutting it in half, and being able to use both halves.Its something that could help you when welding in close quarters, or around small diameter pipe, or other small objects... Its even something I did when I first started welding, because that shorter electrode amplifies less of your hand's vibrations and is a little easier to guide, if you're really new to welding.Anyway, maybe it can make your life easier... I like to use mini-bolt cutters and just "half" them, but I know some people like to "clean things up" with a belt sander, or angle grinder or the like... I personally don't, because this can crack the flux, but hey, whatever works for you...Heres the video, hope y'all enjoy it Have a good weekend, everyone [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Why not just replace a few electrodes when they get 1/2 used and save the shorties for special jobs?
Reply:This is a good idea.I suggest all the new guys that want a career in welding not to try this though. Its wasting material and your foreman wont allow this. If its tight quarters you need to bend the rod. Ive had a few parts come threw where they gave me the piece and X amount of rods. It keeps their budget lower and less waste obviously.The more bad habbits you learn now the harder it will be for you. (not saying this is a bad habbit for all though)
Reply:I have seen a lot of pipe welders just bend the electrode and the flux falls off at the bend and they run it half length with the bend. Obviously only if clearance problem areas and stop before the flux runs out from where you bent it.I think I just butchered that sentence.Miller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:Whenever I've got an electrode with messed up flux that I don't want to waste, I strike an arc on a piece of scrap and just burn away the filler until I'm down to good flux. Getting the rod started without flux is a bit of a pain. It either wants to stick or the arc wants to go out, but once the arc gets going and the tip heats up, it burns down pretty easily. I can see and hear when I'm down into the flux again.
Reply:8 minute video to snip a wire?  Too many electrons were sacrificed in this video.  Get Green.  Less is more."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Good tip and video.
Reply:Originally Posted by burnt09Good idea. Thanks. I sometimes like  a shorter electrode just because it's easier to control, especially for a short weld on thin material.
Reply:Lanse, you need to change your username to Cecil B.                                            MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldendum8 minute video to snip a wire?  Too many electrons were sacrificed in this video.  Get Green.  Less is more.
Reply:Lots of unnecessary blab.  I stopped the video even before he got to the "sweet spot" because I was bored.  How hard can it be to snip a electrode and then scrape off a short length of flux so the holder can get a good conductive bite? - MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoLots of unnecessary blab.  I stopped the video even before he got to the "sweet spot" because I was bored.  How hard can it be to snip a electrode and then scrape off a short length of flux so the holder can get a good conductive bite? - Mondo
Reply:Unlike the haters, I did find this useful.  Not everyone here has been welding for all their lives, and I'm not sure Lanse isn't aiming his videos at the experts.  I agree that it could be a little shorter, but those of us that are rookies at welding don't mind.JackJackFort Loramie, OhioMilermatic Autoset 180
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoHow hard can it be to snip a electrode and then scrape off a short length of flux so the holder can get a good conductive bite?
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerI managed one minute of it and quit. I just wanted to compare it with some of the other how-tos he has done.Total waste of bandwidth on this one.
Reply:And for those who don't keep tooled-up for it, but may once in a blue moon desire to shorten an electrode...Bending the rod, or rolling it against a sharp edge at the desired length,  will fracture the coating, then the electrode can be arced at the bared spot  to be burned off at that length.For those shortening sticks only to gain  better control... try steadying a long stick with your other hand, or maybe just resting it against an extended  finger.No, I'm not gonna mention gloves, if necessary,  that'll be learned soon enough.Last edited by denrep; 05-18-2013 at 02:04 PM.
Reply:I just grab the electrode in the middle with my Tweco holder twist it around to get the flux off and go, no need to cut the thing. An old pipe guy showed me that years ago, and I showed it to those interested at Zaps last time we had a thing.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:True Tozzi, when there's room for the "tail" to clear everything.
Reply:Okay, I'll bite.  Why cut off the uncoated end and prepare a new one, rather than using it as-is?  Seems like a waste of an inch of electrode.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepTrue Tozzi, when there's room for the "tail" to clear everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingYou wrap the tail around the stinger, I will get a pic.
Reply:Pix, and another methodhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...21#post2649821Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Big Problem with the video NO SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!!!  It's all fun and games till some one gets 7018 in there eye.
Reply:When your a stick god, like me, you never have to break a stick and you always have room to run em down to the numbers.
Reply:If your real good you bend the electrode in a "U", flux breaks away, you put it in your holder and run the root and the cover pass at  the same time,  Yeah! right , Tozzi , how many will try this now. LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400Meh, maybe you guys are too cool for this trick but it sure helped me pass a pipe class :wink:I do make longer videos... Because when I made shorter videos, people complained that they wanted longer videos... Now I make em long, and you can watch all that you want, or skip ahead if you feel the need [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Lanse, if you want to make long videos, break it in thirds.  First part, briefly tell them what you want to tell them.  Second part, tell them.  Then in the last part, tell them what it was you told them."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Gotta get a thicker skin.  First job you get they'll run you off in a New York minute if you can't take hazing.  Part of life.You'll get over it.  It comes with age.Anyways......no need to shorten a 3/32 rod, just weld for about a coupla inches, and it's half gone"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Might give cleaner ends if you cut them with a cut-off wheel or dremel.  Could do 10 or so at once by sticking them in a vise (bare ends in vise jaws) and just zip across them while holding on to the tops.  Then put new bare ends on the ones that need them with some wire strippers...
Reply:Lanse, I watched a couple of your videos, and to me it seems like you jump the gun when you make them.  It seems like when you learn something new, you rush to make a video without practicing and researching the skill.  You make excuses for not knowing everything about the technique, but you want to show it anyway.My suggestion, if you wanted to step up your game, would be to spend a little more prep time on technique and information before you make the videos.  I think the quality of your content would improve along with the quality of your production.  You need both if you want to succeed as an educator.
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotIf your real good you bend the electrode in a "U", flux breaks away, you put it in your holder and run the root and the cover pass at  the same time,  Yeah! right , Tozzi , how many will try this now. LOL
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboLanse, I watched a couple of your videos, and to me it seems like you jump the gun when you make them.  It seems like when you learn something new, you rush to make a video without practicing and researching the skill.  You make excuses for not knowing everything about the technique, but you want to show it anyway.My suggestion, if you wanted to step up your game, would be to spend a little more prep time on technique and information before you make the videos.  I think the quality of your content would improve along with the quality of your production.  You need both if you want to succeed as an educator.
Reply:Originally Posted by smilexelectricxAZAZELx13 on youtube does it all the time. he is a pipewelder and you can see him bending the electrode and burns it down to the bend where the flux runs out, then he grips it from that spot to finish off the electrode.Not quite the same technique but in the same category.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughCut him a little slack. Hes still in welding school. He's got enough on his plate right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughOrr if your really awesome (like me) you can bend a 6010 & 7018 and stick em both in the stinger for a root, hot pass, fill pass and the cap.
Reply:Man a lot of haters in here.  Chucke2009/Lanse, keep doing it.  I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos.  All of these people telling you to grow a thick skin are just a bunch of haters.  You're making videos and showing people good ideas - you clearly make it out that you're not a professional.  Most of all, you're enjoying what you do.  Life is too short to be 50+ years old on the internet talking down on a kid enjoying his time.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesyarbroughOrr if your really awesome (like me) you can bend a 6010 & 7018 and stick em both in the stinger for a root, hot pass, fill pass and the cap.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboI thought I was offering him some good constructive criticism.  He seems to have a real passion for learning and sharing.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseHey, would you and "kolot" make a video of that and the U-shaped rod....would REALLY be cool!!!
Reply::03 of cutting electrode8:10 of fluffI learned a lot."The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."