Selecting an electrode holder for manual arc welding. DIY holder

We already know the conditions of a simple welding machine and a welding electrode. Let's continue the topic of welding and homemade welding machines and consider a method for making your own holder for welding machine.

Let's watch a video on how to make it homemade holder

So, before we start work, let's prepare necessary materials and tools:
- half-inch tube;
- plate 30x30 mm;
- two twigs 6.5 cm long;
- workpiece in the form of wire;
- PVC plastic tube;
- two transition rings;
- screw;
- bolt.

Separately, it should be noted that important factor is the use of stainless steel, since stainless steel does not oxidize, does not rust and conducts welding current well. Therefore, the author advises using stainless steel elements in the process of making a homemade holder. Let us also explain that two rods can be cut from old welding electrodes, and the workpiece can be knitted from a piece of the same electrodes.

Now that you've sorted out the materials, you can start assembling. Let's start by assembling the inside of the holder. To do this, take a stainless steel tube and saw it lengthwise to the thickness of the plate. The depth of the cut should be approximately 3-4 mm so that the plate holds firmly. For more stability, you need to weld the base of the plate.

Then we move on to the next stage. We take pieces of electrodes. We cook the straight pieces on the sides of the plate, and the spring piece in the middle. A small cut on one of the side pieces is also required. This is necessary so that the electrode can be inserted into the holder more easily and stay more stable.

Let's proceed to the next stage of making a homemade holder. Now we need to secure the cable. To do this, take a nut and bolt. To do this, we need to drill a hole in the side of the tube and attach a nut there. In order to secure the cable, you need to insert it, stripped, into the tube and tighten the bolt, tightening the cable.

Finally, let's start making the holder handle. We put the rings on the tube and stretch the PVC tube onto the stainless steel tube. The rings also need to be welded to the stainless steel tube.

To arc connect metal objects, you cannot do without special equipment. Today we will tell you what a welder needs to be provided with, and also share information on how to create a homemade electrical holder.

Fork and screw electrode holder: varieties

Electrical holders are necessary to ensure fixation of the electrode and to provide voltage access to it, as well as to enable various manipulations during the welding process. This tool must meet some important requirements, such as allowing instantaneous electrode changes without long pauses. The same applies to the removal of cinders, for which it is necessary that its length be minimal.

It is necessary that the equipment holder is secured as efficiently as possible during the welding process in any position: both at the required angle and perpendicularly. Naturally, it must withstand heavy loads, be easy to assemble, durable and comfortable to work with. All types of devices are available for a rated current with a maximum of 500 A, and the weight of the equipment ranges from 300 to 750 grams. The handle of the holder must be insulated with special thermal and electrical materials that are designed for protection.

Exist different kinds equipment. The most famous is the screw-type electrode holder, which has sufficient simple design, while it is distinguished by quality and practicality. There are other types of equipment: pliers, forks, lever devices - they differ in their use and, of course, capabilities. For example, pliers are used for welding and fusing seams at a voltage of no more than 500 A, and the clamping is carried out between the lever and the current-conducting jaw.

I am pleased with the ease of use of the tool, because even the removal of cinder is carried out by simply pressing the lever. Alas, tools are quite expensive, as is their repair, and therefore many savvy craftsmen try to make a spare tool with their own hands. But whatever type of device you choose, the tool must be safe to use and have convenient control. The design of the tool must meet the following requirements:

• High-quality fastening of electrodes;
• Possibility of instant replacement of electrodes;
• Light weight;
• Ability to carry out work in hard-to-reach places and under any conditions;
• 100% insulation of the entire instrument.

How to make an electric holder with your own hands?

There are several options for creating electrical holders - you will have to choose an option based on certain requirements and your personal capabilities. In any case, it will take you literally a few hours to create this tool, but you can save a lot of money.

Do-it-yourself instructions:

1. To create the first electrical holder we will need a piece of copper or metal pipe 25 cm long. On one side we weld a metal plate with a cross-section of 3x2.5 cm to it; it is best if it is made in the shape of half a ring with a diameter of 5-6 cm with a curved edge. On the second side, the pipe must be flattened; a hole must be created in it using a drill. Through this hole we will attach the tip of the welding cable using an M8 bolt. A part of the durite hose is installed on top of it.
2. We make the second device from a pipe approximately 30 cm long. On both sides, at a distance of about 3 cm from the end, we use a hacksaw to create a recess; its depth should be no more than 1.5 cm. In order for you to be able to press the electrodes to the holder, be sure to Using a notch, we weld a small metal wire, the diameter of which should be approximately 0.6 cm. The second side is also intended to create a hole (diameter about 0.8 cm). Using an M8 screw and terminals, we attach part of the cable to the holder. We put a rubber hose on top, selecting it according to the inner diameter.
3. To create the next tool, we use a metal corner 3 cm long. So that you can clamp the electrode inside, we weld a spring wire on the inside of the corner, the diameter of which should be about 0.4-0.5 cm. C reverse side We drill holes for installing an M8 screw, to which we will attach the cable in the future, and put a durite hose on top. At one end of the corner, 1 cm from the edge, we drill a hole with a diameter of 0.4 cm. This is necessary so that we can quickly and conveniently change electrodes during work.

As you can see, the design is very simple, tested by specialists. Her key features They consider lightness, low weight, ease of use, strength and quick replacement of “waste material”. As practice shows, such electrical holders will be convenient and very useful during welding work even in the most cramped conditions.

It should be reminded, especially for beginners, that you must take all precautions when working with such devices.

The main thing is to prevent the appearance short circuit at work. This can be achieved by protecting the instrument from too much long work– It is advisable to take short breaks. Don’t forget about your safety - use all the required “ammunition”, which is worth talking about in a little more detail!

Uniforms for a welder – what should you buy?

Welding electrode holders – not the only thing you will need in the process of welding work. You should also take care of other accessories and equipment that may be useful to you. We will need a helmet and pads, preferably made of plastic. Choose devices with a matte interior, preferably black, and the helmet should have a comfortable headband and a housing with a window, which will allow for a comfortable position.

You will also need light filters to help protect your eyes from radiation. They can be different types– it is best to purchase those that can withstand work with a current of up to 900 A. You also need to monitor the condition of the helmet with light filters – try to immediately replace damaged or worn parts. It is important to pay attention to the welder’s clothing.

So, overalls are a welder’s clothing that will protect you from hot metal splashes and harmful radiation from the tool. Workwear is represented by a set of trousers, jackets, boots and mittens, but if you rarely carry out work, it will be enough to purchase mittens and a jacket. Naturally, other specialist tools are also important. So, you can’t do without a brush, which is used to clean the welding area from rust and dirt - this work must be carried out before welding: to remove defective areas and seams, dried stains, use a chisel or a plumber’s hammer

It is important to store the electrodes correctly, for which you need to purchase a strong canvas bag. If you always have the clothing, tools and accessories listed by us in your arsenal, any welding work of any complexity will be carried out efficiently and quickly, as well as as safely as possible.

Welding machines have always been improved. They changed in appearance, design and operating features. Accessories for working with them have also been constantly improved. For example, a holder for a welding machine. This device has simple tasks - ease of use and reliable fastening. The purpose of the holder is to secure the electrode in it.

Despite its simple design, the electrode holder for the welding machine performs important role during the welding process. Today, welders have options regarding the choice of toolholders. You can use both new inventions like clamps and old ones like fork holders. Holders for welding machines can be either factory-made or home-made.

Trident

The most famous welding electrode holder is the fork or trident. It was very popular among Soviet welders. It has a very simple design, but far from the most advanced. Currently, manufacturers of welding equipment do not produce such holders. But you can still find it at flea markets. It is prohibited in production due to safety regulations, as the welder has a risk of injury. In addition, such a holder provides poor contact with the electrode. To remove the cinder, additional devices are needed, which is also inconvenient.

Pin

Popular design - such holders are produced in the most different forms and sizes. Accommodates almost any current and electrode size. But the design is not very convenient, since the lever sticks out. Among the disadvantages, it can also be noted that this version of the holder is very voluminous.

Collet

A very common type of holder. Well protects the master from temperature and electrical influences. However, its price is quite high. It has some limitations, for example, the size of the permissible current that can be passed through it.

The best companies that produce holders:

• Abicor Binzel. A company from Germany that has proven itself to be excellent. The holders are reliable, made from quality material, provide good fixation of the electrode. However, they are often counterfeited, so there is a risk of purchasing a fake.
• Esab. Company from Sweden. The holder provides reliable fixation of the electrode, which can be fixed in the mounting holes without play.
• Trafimet Eagle/Falcon. Italian company. They produce quite light, reliable and comfortable holders. The fastenings and fittings are reliable.

The electrode holder can be homemade. But before you start making a holder for a welding machine with your own hands, It is advisable to know the basic safety rules.

How to make a welding holder with your own hands? There are several types of designs available for self-production. However, the simplest is the trident

Trident

The most common homemade look holder. It is a trident made of corrugated iron. Making such a holder is very simple. To do this you need copper wire. Copper is used as a material because it has high temperature melting. To make it, you need to take a copper wire on which to wind soft wire. To compact the wire, it is advisable to tap it with a hammer so that it is flattened as much as possible and pressed against the wire. You need to form a trident from individual rods. Then the trident is welded to the part of the wire that is wrapped. An improvised handle can be made by insulating part of the winding

But this design has significant drawbacks. It is very dangerous to the health of the welder. Doesn't have much good contact Moreover, rust regularly appears on iron fittings, which must be cleaned off. The cinder is difficult to remove.

There is an improved trident design - a rod that is welded to a metal corner. This type of design is more reliable and holds the electrode well. However, it is still difficult to knock out the cinder

Trident with spring

Made of stainless steel, which ensures good contact. But the materials for such a holder are not cheap.

There is also a collet holder, but it is difficult to make it yourself.

Which holder will be better? Handmade or factory made? It depends on the purpose for which it will be used. If, for example, you weld a metal rod to a fence at your dacha, then a homemade one will do. If for some more important task, then it is better to stay with the factory one. Professional welders almost always choose factory ones, because such an electrode holder provides easy fixation of the rod, allows you to maintain a stable current flow and is generally safer for the worker.

Despite the reliability of the factory designs of welding machines, during operation, some of its parts may fail, including the device for holding the electrodes. Of course, you can purchase these spare parts in the store. They are widely available for sale, but the vast majority of professionals prefer to install a homemade electrode holder. Its design is simple, but it must strictly meet certain standards:

• the homemade product must provide dielectric protection for the welder;
• welding holder must be well insulated;
• wires must be fastened securely and efficiently;
• the holder must withstand electrical currents of several hundred amperes;
• the electrode must be held as tightly as possible;
• Replacing electrodes should be simple and quick.

The last two requirements actually contradict each other, so a homemade welding holder is always a compromise for the master.

Holder for a factory-made welding machine

Manufacturers offer three modifications of welding holders:

• Collet holder for electrodes. This is an easy-to-use option. Replacing the cinder with a new electrode is easy and works perfectly protective functions and looks aesthetically pleasing. But the collet is expensive and has a current limitation. In addition, it does not allow you to save on electrodes, since it is forbidden to leave a short cinder.
• Holder for welding - clothespin. The most popular offer from manufacturers. Manufactured in a wide range of sizes, electrode diameters and strengths welding current. The clothespin is not very convenient to use, but it is very reliable. It is characterized by good contact with the electrodes, no restrictions on electric current, and does not require devices. Its disadvantages are the problematic change of cinder and large dimensions.
• Trident or fork. This modification of the holder for welding equipment has practically fallen out of use because it does not comply with modern standards. The trident is a Soviet standard.

How to make a welding holder with your own hands

Similar to factory designs, a holder for a welding machine is made with your own hands. There are many technologies for making a device, but the most common are the following designs:

• Trident. This is a classic DIY version of the device. Also in Soviet times welders made their tools precisely according to this principle. The holder is a fork welded from three corrugated pieces of reinforcement. A bicycle handlebar handle or a fragment of a rubber hose is used as an insulator. In some cases, rag insulating tape was used as the dielectric of the holder for do-it-yourself welding. This design is easy to manufacture, but dangerous and inconvenient to use. It provides poor contact with the electrode, the cinder is difficult to remove, and the fittings are constantly oxidized. Soviet welders offered very original ways to make a welding holder. One of the most successful designs- This is a reinforcing rod welded to a metal corner. Its only drawback is the difficulty of replacing the cinder.
• Trident with a spring. This is an improved version of the DIY welding machine holder described above. This is the same fork, but the tines are located almost in the same plane. The electrode is inserted between the fingers, the central one springs it. This DIY welding holder is made from expensive materials such as high-alloy stainless steel. The contact with the electrode is strong, changing the cinder is quite easy. Rubber is used as the dielectric of the do-it-yourself welding machine holder to protect the welder.
• Threaded collet. The holder can be made of any metal. It provides reliable electrode contact, easy replacement of the cinder, is reliable and easy to use. Its disadvantage is the complexity of manufacturing. Design features are indicated in the drawing.

• Clamping collet. This is a modernization of the threaded collet model. Instead of threaded fasteners, it is used spring mechanism. The advantages of the design are obvious - the ease of replacing the cinder and the reliability of fastening the electrodes. Before wondering how to make a holder for welding this design, you need to carefully analyze electrical diagram. The more powerful the spring, the more reliable the contact, and the maximum current strength increases. If you use a weaker clamp, the current load is reduced. It is important to provide a second connector here, which supplies current to the ground. Although it does not need to provide electrical and thermal protection, the contact should be as reliable as possible. It is better if the clamping mechanism is made of brass or copper.

Let's summarize

Each welder decides to purchase a holder in a store or make it himself. But, as practice shows, it is advisable to do homemade devices, both for reasons of financial costs and ease of use.

Doesn't happen for work. Even such a seemingly insignificant detail as a holder for a welding machine should provide high-quality electrode retention and convenience.

The following designs can be used for welding machines.

Pin

An electrode holder of this design (spring or lever) is the most common and simple product.

The price of the clothespin holder is the lowest in comparison with parts of other designs. The use of this type of holding device allows you to quickly and safely perform welding work, while the quality of the weld will always be at a high level.

Fork trident

A simple device that makes it easy to fix any diameter.

Great care should be taken when using a trident due to the large uninsulated area of ​​the product.

The main advantage of a holder of this design is the possibility of self-production.

Collet

It is used exclusively when welding metal in a protective gas environment.

The device has a long service life and correct use allows you to perform work of the highest quality.

Non-burning holder

The variety of the device allows you to perform work with almost 100% use of the length welding electrode. The flameless holder consists of a cylindrical handle (2), into which a metal pin (1) is mounted on one side.

The electrode is fixed by welding its end part to the contact pin.

Screw

Screw-type electrical holders secure consumables well, have good contact and uninterrupted power supply.

The contact surfaces have an anti-corrosion coating. At correct operation The device will last for many years.

How to choose the right electric holder

When selecting a holder, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Size and weight of the device. The weight and dimensions of the holder are very important. When working for many hours, the extra 50 grams of the device will be felt. In this case, it is better to purchase a compact and lightweight design. If you have a choice, give preference to light and small parts, provided they have the same characteristics.
2. Specifications. The holder must match the current strength. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in burnout of the contact part. If the contacts burn, further use of the device will be impossible. You can determine whether a device belongs to a category based on current strength by the markings that are applied to the non-replaceable part of the product.
3. Quality of insulating material. To ensure safe performance of work, you should select a holder with a high-quality insulated handle. Plastic of sufficient thickness is used as a dielectric in almost all parts to reliably protect the welding machine operator from exposure electric current.
4. Price. You can buy a holder for a welding machine from 100 rubles, but the quality of a cheap model will not differ. Branded copies sell for several hundred dollars, but for everyday work there is no need to purchase holders at that price. It is enough to purchase a product in the middle price category to provide yourself with a high-quality tool for welding metals for a long time.

An inexpensive device can be purchased as a spare part. If the main device fails, if you have an additional holder, you can continue working without a serious time delay.

The best holder models

To purchase an electrode holder for a welding machine and not be disappointed in its quality, you should choose models that have been used by welders for a long time and do not cause negative emotions in them.

Negative reviews most often occur about Chinese-made products, but low-quality products can enter the domestic market from other countries.

1. ESAB Handy 200 (200 A) - is in great demand among professional welders.

The item has high performance characteristics, which do not decrease during the entire period recommended by the manufacturer. The product was made in Sweden, so you can count on European quality.

The Handy 200 weighs 550 grams, but given the good insulating coating and high-quality clamp, the slight increase in the weight of the holder compared to other models is quite justified. Handy 200 is a screw holder, which allows you to perform welding work efficiently and safely.

When using the device, you can weld metal with electrodes with a diameter of 2.0 to 4.0 mm. The cost of the product on the Russian market is about 500 rubles.

2. Sibrteh 500A - inexpensive, but quality tool domestic production, which can be used up to 500 A.

The Sibrtech 91455 500A holder is a clamp-type device in which the working electrode can be replaced quickly.

The product has reliable plastic insulation, which can protect the operator from the effects of electric current. You can buy it for 300 rubles.

3. ESAB 500 is a holder from a well-known Swedish company that has been producing high-quality products for more than 100 years. The esab electrode holder can be used for welding work with currents up to 500 A.

The main advantage of ESAB 500 products is their ultra-light weight, which is only 200 grams. The cost of the product on the Russian market is about 3,000 rubles.

4. Germany type 300 A - ideal for welding with currents up to 300 A and electrode diameter 2 - 4 mm. Thanks to the special corrugated design of the device’s handle, it is possible to achieve a reliable hold in the hand. The model is distinguished by high-quality plastic insulation and relatively low weight.