A quick (possibly dumb) question

admin

Just working on my holiday project - the world's strongest carport.I've borrowed a stick welder as mine doesn't seem to be penetrating thivker steel.My one has terminals labelled 'work' and 'electrode', so I know where to put each lead.The borrowed one just has + and -. So is + the electrode or the work?
Reply:Your stinger is +,ground clamp - Victor SuperRanger O/A                                         Solar migLincoln Powermig 140Southbend 9in lathe350# kohlswa anvilMiller Maxstar 150 stl etc....
Reply:Thanks.I'm looking forward to trying this stick welder - Esab. Apparently they're pretty good.
Reply:Scott, is it AC only or AC/DC?         Your lead terminals determine polarity....and your rod choice dictates it.
Reply:Are you wanting to tig with this machine, any time in the future.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Scott is it an Esab Caddy? in which case it is DC and your electrode will be - if it is an AC machine it doesn't matter as the current changes polarity 50 times a second anyway.
Reply:Scott, some rods as already mentioned will be reverse polarity, in Aus one that comes to mind is Austarc 16TC but they tell you that on the packet anyway.Clive
Reply:Originally Posted by TEKScott, is it AC only or AC/DC?         Your lead terminals determine polarity....and your rod choice dictates it.