Stick Welding, also called Shielded Metal Arc Welding or SMAW, is used in art and for repairs and quick assembly. SMAW is an effective method for bonding mild steel, even in poor condition. Stick welding equipment is compact, and the metal is effectively protected by both the shielding gas generated by the welding rod and the slag left on top of the melted weld pool, making it great for field repairs and working in outdoor conditions.
This is a safety & introductory class – a great place to begin if you’ve never done stick welding before! In this class, you will learn the basics of operating multiprocess welders for MIG welding, including:
Selecting and preparing the welding rods
Material preparation
Setting the machine for the type of material & weld
Basic bead laying
Cleaning the weld
This class provides certification to use the stick welding equipment at Mill Forge Makerspace. However, a Hot Works Certification is also required to use the welding equipment solo. We recommend this course from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
My Next Move, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.Upon completing this course, you will be able to operate the stick welding equipment safely and perform basic operations & maintenance on the equipment at the makerspace. However, unless you already have experience welding, we strongly recommend both taking one of our practical classes to learn specific applications of stick welding and taking plenty of time to practice at the makerspace!
