Five Essentials in SMAW

The five essential variables of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) include current setting, length of arc, angle of electrode, speed of travel, and __________.

• The amperage variable is controlled by setting the __________ on the welding machine before beginning the weld.

The distance from the tip of the electrode to the base metal is known as the __________ of the arc.

The __________ technique is used when the electrode is held in contact with the work at a slight angle to maintain the arc.

In SMAW, the two angles that a welder must control are the work angle and the __________ angle.

The rate at which the welder moves across the joint is referred to as the __________ of travel, which impacts the weld’s appearance and strength.

When selecting an electrode, the thickness of the base metal is an important consideration along with the __________ of the weld.

If the travel speed is too fast, it can result in a thin, __________ weld that lacks strength.

• In Shielded Metal Arc Welding, maintaining a proper arc length is crucial because an improper length can lead to unstable __________.

For vertical or overhead welding, a __________ electrode is typically required compared to flat or horizontal welding.