Here’s What You Need to Know About Stick Welding: Pros, Cons, Cost and More

Whom It’s For

If you mostly want to do down-and-dirty welding where appearance isn’t an issue, stick welding is for you. It’s a simple, cheap way to repair dirty or rusty trailers and equipment (especially outdoors).

COST

• $100 to $1,000.

PROS

• Economical.
• Best for welds that don’t need to look nice.
• Works well on dirty and rusty parts.
• No bottled gas required.

CONS

• Best used outdoors—there’s lots of splatter and smoke.
• Can’t be used on metals thinner than 18 gauge.
• A bit difficult to learn, and it does require some practice.
• Slag must be removed after weld-ing using a chipping hammer followed by wire brushing, because slag absorbs moisture and won’t accept paint.

Stick Setup

The flux on the outside of the electrode/filler rod provides the shielding gas, so no bottle is required. This is the machine you want for ultimate portability, as a stick welder is often integrated into a generator and works well outdoors.

Plus: Learn how to build a really cool welding table for your home shop.