Welding torch work angle

MIG/MAG Welding basics for beginners and less experienced welders.
Basics considering welding torch handling.

I give the same advice here as for adjusting the welding machine: start in the middle and boldly test how the extremes affect the result. If you're welding a 90-degree corner joint, the starting point is a 45-degree vertical angle.

However, not all workpieces form a 90-degree angle. The next basic principle is: when welding two pieces of the same thickness together, the vertical angle should be evenly split between both pieces.

When welding two pieces of different thicknesses, aim more towards the thicker piece. The thick piece can handle more heat without burning through, and the gun should be aimed so that the weld pool fully melts the thinner piece as well.

Lastly, consider the physical position of the weld. Gravity pulls the molten metal toward the center of the Earth. A weld made on flat pieces resting on a table behaves differently than one welded overhead. You may need to adjust your aiming to compensate for gravity’s effect.

While welding, it’s important to maintain a consistent angle. One helpful technique is to use a guiding surface under your support hand. If your workbench edge is smooth and allows easy sliding, you can use that. Alternatively, attaching a piece of steel tubing to the table works as well. The technique works as follows: one hand holds the welding gun, while the other acts as a support closer to the gun’s tip—similar to how you stabilize a pool cue. The support hand lightly glides along the table edge or steel tubing for control. How much the welding gun leans against your support hand is completelly a matter of personal preference. Btw, unlike in the image below, you'll want a thicker glove for your support hand.

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Articles:
Adjusting the welding machine
Push or pull?
Contact tip to workpiece distance
Welding torch work angle
How quickly can you learn welding?