Having trouble with your SMAW? Have no fear — Practical Welding Today® is here! This article talks you through the SMAW process from start to finish and even includes a section on troubleshooting some of your more troublesome welds. Enjoy!
SMAW: A welder’s guide
Advice and troubleshooting tips for beginners
By Harry Sadler
September 15, 2009Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most common form of arc welding. However, creating a good weld is not always easy, especially for a beginner. Following a few simple tips as well as learning the common weld defect and how to fix them will have you on your way to laying quality SMAW welds.
Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most common form of arc welding. However, creating a good weld is not always easy, especially for a beginner. Unlike gas metal arc welding (GMAW), in which you basically point and shoot, SMAW requires a higher skill level and a mastery of certain techniques. By following a few simple tips, even beginners can learn how to spot common weld defects and fix them to create a high-quality weld.
Do you have any other practical SMAW tips that you’d like to share with the rest of the class? Well, don’t keep them all to yourselves — post some below!