Equipment · Procedure
Stand up the welding bay for the day — gas, ground, and machine settings — before the first arc.
Don welding helmet, gloves, and apron
Full welding PPE and a current welding certification before you strike an arc.
Connect the ground clamp to the work
Clamp directly to the work table or piece — never through a hinge or the floor.
Confirm shielding gas flow and no leaks
Soap-test fittings. A gas leak is a fire and asphyxiation hazard in the bay.
Set amperage for material thickness
Dial amperage to the chart for the plate gauge and run a scrap test bead.
Knowledge check
Confirm where the ground attaches.
Q: Where does the ground clamp attach?