It is difficult even for a professional welder to weld large holes using only an electrode, let alone an amateur. Therefore, if you are just starting to understand the basics of arc welding, then do not neglect various tricks that will make it easier to complete a specific task. Let's look at techniques that can be used to weld a hole in metal very efficiently.
1. Welding a vertical hole using a rod
This method requires a high-quality steel bar. It can be obtained by simply tapping the electrode core with a hammer, removing the coating from it.
The edge of the stripped core must be applied to the wall of the hole from below. Then welding is done. The electrode must be placed in the gap between the hole wall and the rod. Spot welding is performed. We grab the rod and the wall, and immediately tear it off while it is hot. As a result, an influx of metal remains on the wall, and the hole decreases accordingly.
Then the rod is shifted to a new point, and the same tack is made. You need to move in a circle until the bottom appears at the hole. After this, we heat the electrode to full, and fill the hole with metal flush with the surface of the workpiece.Thus, the rod initially allows the molten metal not to flow down, and then everything is done simply.
2. Welding horizontal hole
If the hole is made in a vertical plane, then the molten metal will no longer flow down as much. In this case, you can move the electrode in a circle, touching the walls of the hole.
When the hole is large enough, before the first full turn is completed, the previous part of the seam will have time to harden. Thus, during the next circle, nothing flows anymore. When the hole is deep, welding is applied in layers until it is filled.
3. Welding with insert
If the hole is large enough, then it will take a long time to weld it with a rod, and it is not a fact that it will work with it. In this case, it is better to use an insert. Its use also allows saving electrodes.
It is necessary to select a metal rod slightly larger in diameter than the hole. Its edge is sharpened to a cone. The rod is then shortened to match the depth of the hole.
The result is an insert that, due to the difference in diameter, does not fall out from the reverse side. It will not be difficult to weld it in a circle, even for a novice welder.
