Don't Flame Me For A Stupid Question!

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In the books i am reading, it meantions about electrodes, and filler metal. i just want to know exactly what the electrode is, cause its saying that the stick that you use for the filler metal, can also be an electrode, and its kinda confusing, so can anyone shed some light on this for me please."One World...One Muay Thai...Muay Thai Never Dies..."
Reply:Here's the way I understand it....the electrode is present only in processes that use electricity.  It's the thingie that electrons jump to or from.  In mig and fluxcore, the electrode and the filler are one and the same, the wire.  That's true for stick also, the filler carries the electrons to or from the workpiece.  But in tig, the electrode is the non-consumable tungsten.  The electrons flow between the tungsten and the workpiece, but the filler is added by hand.When you are welding with oxy/fuel (whatever fuel) there is no electrode, because there is no electricity involved.  You just have a flame and filler.This is not a dumb question.  I have heard some long-time welders mistakenly talk about the electrode in oxy/ace welding...it's a word that gets tossed around alot without much thought.  I can see why folks get confused.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Thatnks for that smithboy, i understand what it means now, im jus reading a few books at the moment, and i have my dads welder in the shed, which is jammed packed full of useless ****, its a WIA miniweld welder, but i dont know the exact specs on it. but its got 2 claw like things, like jaws, ones red and the other one is black, and on the front of the welder its got what electrodes to use, like 13s and 12s i think, and its a bright yellow.yea so im jus going to spend Sunday reading and writing down notes and learning a bit more.Thanks again smith, im sure there will be plenty more questions to come."One World...One Muay Thai...Muay Thai Never Dies..."
Reply:dont forget safety: even the people around the welding can get flashburn so never let friends watch - i like blue for indoor welding an green for outdoor and never have used a auto darken. and everything is hot! good luck an have fun
Reply:Weazy it sounds like you have a SMAW ( shielded metal arc welding ) or a stick welder as it's commonly known.  For stick you will need flux coated fill rods, some metal to weld on and the appropriate safety gear.  Heavy long sleave shirt, welding gloves, Welding hood and leather boots or shoes.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Tailshaft56Weazy it sounds like you have a SMAW ( shielded metal arc welding ) or a stick welder as it's commonly known.  For stick you will need flux coated fill rods, some metal to weld on and the appropriate safety gear.  Heavy long sleave shirt, welding gloves, Welding hood and leather boots or shoes.
Reply:The electrod is the thing that makes the spark, the filler is the metal that you add to the molten puddle.  In some instances, the two are combined.  For example, a stick welding electrode also supplies the filler metal.