Share
There are many different types of welding positions. One of the most common welding positions is flat welding. When you are in this position, the workpiece is on a horizontal surface, and your body faces perpendicular to it. Welding in this position can be tricky if you have not done it before. Luckily for you, we are going to give you 6 steps on how to weld in flat position that will help you get started!
How to Weld in Flat Position
Step 1: Prepare the Work Area
Before welding, make sure that your work area is well ventilated. It should be clean and free of any flammable objects like gasoline or aerosol cans. You will need to wear protective clothing such as leather gloves, goggles (with dark lenses), cotton shirt/pants with long sleeves, steel-toe boots, and a welding helmet.
Step 2: Prepare the Work Piece
Make sure that the workpiece is as flat as possible and at a 90-degree angle with your body. It should also be free of any holes or dents, which will cause problems when you are welding it. If there are rusted or cracked pieces on your workpiece, make sure to replace them before beginning to weld in a flat position.
Step 3: Clean off Rust and Flux from Metal Surface
If you notice rust spots on the metal surface where you want to place your weld bead, clean those areas using steel wool until they look smooth and shiny again. You may need to use some sandpaper if necessary for heavy rust removal.
Next, use a flux brush to apply a thin coating of flux over the entire metal surface that you will be welding. This will help the weld bead stick to the metal and provide good corrosion protection.
Step 4: Tack Weld in Flat Position
Before starting to weld in full, it is always a good idea to tack weld first. Tack welding is simply welding short little beads (or “tacks”) all around the edges of your workpiece. This helps hold everything in place while you are welding and minimizes movement. Once the tacks are in place, you can start welding in full.
Step 5: Weld in a Zigzag Pattern
When welding in flat position, always weld in a zigzag pattern. This will help create a stronger and more consistent weld bead. Make sure that your welds are even with each other and do not overlap them. You should also avoid going back over the same spot too many times, as this can cause the metal to weaken.
Step 6: Finish off Your Welding Project
Once you have finished welding in a flat position, it is important to clean up your work area. Dispose of all the slag (the waste material created during welding) and make sure that everything is neat and tidy before leaving. Congratulations – you have now successfully welded in a flat position!
0 Comments