How to Weld Rebar
- 1). Position the two pieces of rebar that are to be welded. Secure the rebar with clamps to ensure they will stay in place while welding.
- 2). Ground the arc welder with the alligator clip to a surface away from the welding area. Secure the electrode into the electrode holder. Put on the protective helmet and insulated gloves.
- 3). Hold the electrode over the mating surface of the rebar at a 5 to 15 degree angle. Bring the electrode slowly into position over the surface until the electrical arc appears, which will begin at about an eighth to a quarter inch from the surface. Hold the arc in place until a weld-pool forms. The weld-pool is melted metal from the two materials that have begun to mix.
- 4). Move the electrode in the direction of the joint that is being welded. Keep it on the leading edge of the weld pool and follow the joint. Slower travel speeds will produce a wide bead with shallow penetration. Faster travel speeds will also cause shallow penetration and possibly undercut the weld.
- 5). Lift the electrode away from the joint once the welding process is complete. Inspect the weld-seam for imperfections or cracks. Repeat the welding process in steps three and four if needed.
- 6). Clean the weld-seam with a wire-brush brush to remove splatter or slag.
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