Never weld galvanized steel as it produces dangerous gas.
Some welders require calibration at regular intervals. Always be sure that the calibration is up to date; there is no grace period.
If you’re using an angle grinder, be careful not to distort thin metal. If you’re working with thick metal, bevel the edges with an angle grinder to ensure the weld can fully penetrate. Paint and rust will inhibit the electrical connection created by the welder, and can also cause the weld to have porosity in it, which is unwanted
Remember to wear gloves when handling the welding machine.
If you move the weld gun too slowly, you may create holes in your sheet of metal. If you move your weld gun too fast, you may not heat the metal hot enough to melt it and your weld will be very thin.
The AC setting is used when your power supply only has an AC output. DC negative results in less penetration and should be used on thin sheets of metal.
If the rods provide an amperage range, split the difference. For instance, if the range is 100 to 150, use 125. The most common electrodes for steel include the 6010, 6011 and 6013.
Don’t slam the slag with a hammer, or hot pieces of metal can come flying off of your weld.
