Suppose you’re in an emergency condition. You need a welder immediately, but what if an operator is not available on time? What if he takes a long time to come? Then you must know a bit about welding and its position to get rid of any severe and demanding condition successfully. Following are some basic welding positions:
Basic Welding Positions
- Flat Weld
A Flat weld is the simplest weld, with the torch held at 90 degrees to the workpiece and perpendicular to its length. The torch head should be approximately half the thickness of the workpiece from one side to the other. When welding metal thicker than 1.5 mm, the torch should not be vertically held as it will cause a ‘clunking’ effect, nor should it be used with a face shield as it can heat up and melt through the shield.
When welding two metals together, a ‘flat’ or horizontal weld is a relatively simple process, as it can be done by keeping the torch at right angles to both blanks. TThe flat weld is the most economical and economical to use. They are often used to join thinner metals such as aluminum and stainless-steel sheets for these reasons. economical
- Horizontal Weld
With a torch and shielding, a horizontal weld can be made between two pieces of sheet metal; because the end part of the weld is made at right angles to the edge of both sheets, it does not require any special skills to make. Horizontal slides are commonly used in manufacturing industries such as the automotive and steel industries, where welding is frequently required in small areas. It is also common in metal farming because it allows for equal temperatures between adjacent sections, reducing heat-affected zone (HAZ) formation.
- Vertical Up-Hand
A vertical up-hand is a welding position in which the torch is held at an angle of 90 degrees to the workpiece, with the nozzle in line with the blade of the torch. The torch’s nozzle should be positioned about 5 to 10 mm from the workpiece. This position can be used for joining thicker metal or when there is a need to cut metals such as steel and cast iron. In this position, both blanks are brought together in a ‘V’ shape and then welded at a right angle to each other. It can also be used for welding horizontal steel sheeting with a ‘U’ shape – by making a second weld on top of each other.
- Vertical Down-Hand
A vertical down-hand is essentially similar to the vertical up-hand, except that the torch head is held at an angle of 45 degrees to the workpiece. The torch head should be positioned about 5 cm from the bottom of the workpiece. It helps in joining thicker metal or when there is a need to cut metals such as steel and cast iron.
- Vertical Head Up
This welding position involves holding the torch at an angle of 45 degrees to the workpiece, with its nozzle approximately 5 cm from it. This position can only be used for welding thick metals requiring advanced skills. It requires extreme care because sparks can quickly jump off material, causing burns.
Advanced Welding Positions
More than the basic positions, there are many other different positions used for welding. These positions involve varying circumstances and situations and require different skills to perfect. Following are some of the most advanced welding positions
- T-Shaped Position
The T-shaped position is also known as the ‘pattern’ welded, patented by Siemens in 1892. This position requires less technical knowledge but requires more skill than any other position because it involves welding an angle or ‘T’ shape into the workpiece. This type of weld is used explicitly for steam boilers and heavy piping (such as oil refineries). This position is also known as the ‘zigzag’ weld and should be used when making welds that require a straight and smooth weld. Although it may seem difficult to master, it is effortless to perfect for those with the right skills. Some of the common welding positions that use this technique include:
- The Star Position
The Star Position is similar to the T-shaped but doesn’t involve welding an angle or ‘T’ shape into the workpiece. It involves holding the torch at right angles to the workpiece and height. It is used when making very small welds to join small areas. Some of the common welding positions that use this technique include:
- The ‘P’ Position
The ‘P’ Position involves welding the torch straight to the workpiece at a 90-degree angle. It can be used for joining metals such as steel and stainless steel without any burn marks and metals that require a precise and clean weld. The positioning of the workpiece is crucial in this position because it determines how easily the weld will penetrate all of its thickness even with low amperage. Some of the common welding positions that use this technique include:
- The ‘V’ Position
The ‘V’ Position is one of the most common welding positions used in many industries. It is used to join metals at a right angle to each other. This position is similar to the ‘V’ Shape but different because it requires less skill, time, and equipment. This position may be challenging to master for those without the proper training but can quickly be learned with practice. Some of the common welding positions that use this technique include:
- The ‘S’ Position
The ‘S’ Position is used for joining sections of metal at a very high temperature. It is different from the previous positions because it involves holding the torch at an angle of 45 degrees to both blanks. It can also be used to ‘drill’ holes if the correct sized drill is used. It can be challenging to master but can be achieved with training and practice. Some of the common welding positions that use this technique include:
Conclusion
These are all of the primary positions that can be used in welding. Many other positions exist, but these positions are the most common and require the least amount of training. Depending on the situation, one or many of these positions can create the desired weld. Before beginning any welding project, one must understand what kind of weld they need to use the correct position necessary for their project.
