SMAW for an 11 year old?

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Was knocking out some practice beads last night and my 11 year old daughter asked if she could watch. About a half hour in, she asked if she could try it, but I said not this time. I had no worries about letting her use the MIG last weekend, as that seems intrinsically safer...you let go of the trigger and the power is cut off. Not so with a stick rod stinger. So, my questions: 1. how young is too young for SMAW? 2. what's the best way to get her started? 3. I am sure she is going to stick a rod to a plate and maybe freak out a bit. Heck, even I get a little antsy when I stick a rod. How do you handle that with a kid? Appreciate any thoughts.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I don't see any issue with children that age with parental supervision. Sticking rods isn't all that huge a deal if you have the typical clamp type stinger. Just hit the handle and open up the stinger and drop the rod. Yanking the rod loose works, but be careful they don't yank the piece off the table and hit someone. Of course as soon as the work looses contact with the grounded table, you've broken the arc as well.7014 would be my rod of choice. 3/32" or 1/8" with the amps up fairly high. Going high does two things #1 it makes it harder to stick the rod. #2 it makes it easier to start the weld, and #3 they can just drag the rod on the plate to get it to weld. If anything having the machine set too high is better than having the machine set too low. They aren't going to be making text book welds the 1st time out anyways. Whatever they look like is fine.I'd try and show them what happens when they stick a rod ( with my luck I wouldn't have it happen ) That way they can see it's not a huge deal and see how to deal with it. Don't rush or act panicked when you do the demo. You won't kill anyone if it just stays and gets stuck. It's a bit hard on the machine to just sit there for a minute or two super heating the rod.  but I doubt you'll do any serious damage in the short length of time it takes to drop the rod or even turn off the machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:When she tries it for the first time could be her last. I would cut the rods down or grab them short so she has better control. She will need to be reminded that the rod is always '' READY, " anything that is in contact with what's grounded it's gonna light up. This could be a really interesting video to make. Just remind her that dad must always be there. You never know, she might have friends to show them what she can do.
Reply:Good point on short rods BD. I sort of forget kids arms aren't as long as mine. I like to have new guys keep their elbows on the table if possible and roll their arms down as they weld to start. It makes things easier if this makes sense..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you don't show her now, who will ?Strike while the interest is there, she may never ask again.7014 in half length rods is great advice.
Reply:cool, thanks!Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Sneak up with the stick size. Make the first dozen about 7, then 8, then 10. Kids pick it up so fast it's amazing.Clean, fairly large pieces of steel and I betcha she'll only stick the electrode 1/2 dozen times. It's up to you to get the heat right.There's a little heavy set boy on the Tube about her age that does fairly well with his buzz boxes(and his video cam).It does take some thinking not to lay the stinger down on a steel bench like we do a MIG gun.Maybe make up a stinger hook.Make sure and get quality sticks so she doesn't get discouraged, in comparison with the pretty MIG beads that seem so easy to create.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I am kind of excited that the women in my family are so into this. This is going to be fun and yet probably expensive too. Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I'm glad to see a young child have an interest in this. All of the ideas on this post i agree with IE rod stubs and higher amperage for easy starting. Sticking the rod wont damage the machine. Show her what happens, let it glow red hot if you want but tell her that is not what you want to do. As for how young is to young to start learning, I think if the hand can hold the stinger and manipulate it the time has come. I do recommend some leathers for her and probably some sun screen. Keep it safe and have fun with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I am kind of excited that the women in my family are so into this. This is going to be fun and yet probably expensive too.
Reply:Here's a couple videos. Do you have a plasma cutter YET ??     This may help. I see  a  Hypertherm in your future; you can thank me later.
Reply:My son is 7 and has no problem with it. He actually does pretty good for a 7 year old!Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Throw out the TV and build 2 more welding benches. That's 60% up to the peak. Any kinda chatter brain cell killing game box will get the rest.But ...BUT. Video games are Kewwwwwl. Here.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:My father started me welding at 8 years old running 6010/6011/7018 off his 400 amp Hobart portableI was right handed he left handed so he would stand facing me and teach me how to whip and other techniquesI ran the same rods he did .. no special treatment or rods Learn to put that 2/0 cable across your shoulder to take the weight off the stinger in your handSent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I am kind of excited that the women in my family are so into this. This is going to be fun and yet probably expensive too.
Reply:If you can teach her the PROPER way while she is you then she will be way better than anyone posting on this. As a man i hate to say it but women with proper training tend to be better welders than men. They are more meticulous and down right more anal than men are. Teach her the "text book way" of doing things and maybe she wont put you in a home when you're old.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPOh yeah rub it in! I got 4-grandsons, none of them will get anywhere near my shop. They rather play video games.
Reply:louie,Good idea BD1 suggested with the short rods.  That way she can run short bead lengths and get the hang of it.  Might consider cutting the rods in half with cutters and trimming back the flux on the one without a stinger stub.  That way she'll have twice as many practice rods
Reply:I never tell my kids no when they want to try something in the shop. That's the time when you take it upon yourself to show them something valuable they can learn.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugAll those cool toys in your shop and they won't go near it??
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPNope!3 of them live 200-feet through the woods from me. Every fall when I put the mud & snow / studded tires on their pickup I can't even get them to come down and learn how to change a tire! Studs have to be off in the next 2-weeks, they won't have anything to do with switching the tires again.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYou are a lot nicer than me....
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhat I don't understand, why can't their dad put his own tires on?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI must have misread you, I thought you wrote you were changing out their tires for them and they would not help.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIt's their family pickup, (that I gave them). One of them will be driving this summer. So what happens when he gets a flat? Call grandpa to come change the tire? Like my 21-year old granddaughter and her boy friend do?Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHer boyfriend should be embarrassed
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI about fell over! The granddaughter called and said she had a flat. And the lug wrench didn't fit. I grabbed a 1/2-inch drive socket set, and some other tools. Headed out to find them. When I drove up he had the car jacked up. I grabbed the socket set out of my pickup, walked up to her car. But the hub cap was back on! I thought to my self why in the world would he put the hub cap back on? Went to the pickup grabbed a nail bar and jerked the hub cap off so I could get to the lug nuts. Her boy friend said "I didn't know those came off"!
Reply:Subaru has a great commercial on TV with some girl changing her tire in the rain while he dad watches. Good training for our kids male or female is important.Now back on topic;The greatest time to teach a kid to weld is immediately after they show there interested.
Reply:Double check her PPE... Dropping slag on a sneaker just isn't fun.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI about fell over! The granddaughter called and said she had a flat. And the lug wrench didn't fit. I grabbed a 1/2-inch drive socket set, and some other tools. Headed out to find them. When I drove up he had the car jacked up. I grabbed the socket set out of my pickup, walked up to her car. But the hub cap was back on! I thought to my self why in the world would he put the hub cap back on? Went to the pickup grabbed a nail bar and jerked the hub cap off so I could get to the lug nuts. Her boy friend said "I didn't know those came off"!
Reply:Cep, you need to find your granddaughter a new boyfriend. Maybe one who can weld..and knows how to change a tire.. Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugCep, you need to find your granddaughter a new boyfriend. Maybe one who can weld..and knows how to change a tire..
Reply:Lmao!!!Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by pin2hotA few years ago, I was "helping" my daughter put coolant (her term) in her car.  This was over the cell phone, half a continent away.  I told her "You need a boyfriend, and not one of those metrosexuals.  One that can actually do stuff."  She replied, "DAD, I'M ON SPEAKERPHONE!"   So I helped and embarrassed her, all in one go.  My work was done.And now she has a boyfriend and he can weld.  But that's probably pure coincidence since she rarely listens to me.
Reply:@ Louie1961 - Absolutely "yes".  My 12-yrs young daughter will soon be starting SMAW intro and training.  She's decided to do a welding-centric project for her 2015 Science Fair.  She wants to compare/contrast net fusion of different processes on multiple materials types/joints.  Stoked that she decided on the idea.  She will dial in an overall problem statement and then we'll attack.  In the interim, she'll acquire burn-in experience with SMAW....and then GMAW.....and then GTAW, plus plasma cutting with the Hypertherm PowerMax 45.  Long-term strategy bro.So, yes.  Show your daughter that "Stick's Boss!" and enjoy the journey. "Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Just an idea but there is a product called arc pig that is as I understand it a high frequency unit that is made to work for stick welding also so you can't stick the rod or just use a welder with hot start or dig function if I turn it all the way up on my unit you can just sit a 1/8 7018 lincoln excalibur on its tip and it will burn through like 1/2 inch steel.
Reply:I am delighted that your daughter also has an interest! Mine wanted to learn also. A little stick, a little mig, wrenching and pulling levers. Drives a diesel pickup, owns her own place with room for her horse, her guy friends borrow tools from her. Bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design and visual communication. All growed up, but the time under the hood with dad is only with dad. Sometimes mothers and daughters get to share and do and dad gets left out. But this is YOUR time with her, and believe me they grow up fast. Encourage her, share with her, enjoy the time with her. And let her know welding is an honest trade or an enjoyable hobby. And take pictures, you will want to keep them, and we want to see!   Chuck  To ride, shoot straight, and speak the truth. This was the ancient law of youth. Old times are past, old days are done, but the law runs true oh little son.Winpower 180 DCSA-200 redfaceXMT-304
Reply:@ sled dog - beautiful!  Well stated.  So true.  You raised a gem."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPOh yeah rub it in! I got 4-grandsons, none of them will get anywhere near my shop. They rather play video games.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI about fell over! The granddaughter called and said she had a flat. And the lug wrench didn't fit. I grabbed a 1/2-inch drive socket set, and some other tools. Headed out to find them. When I drove up he had the car jacked up. I grabbed the socket set out of my pickup, walked up to her car. But the hub cap was back on! I thought to my self why in the world would he put the hub cap back on? Went to the pickup grabbed a nail bar and jerked the hub cap off so I could get to the lug nuts. Her boy friend said "I didn't know those came off"!