Homemade electrode holder for spot welding. Selecting an electrode holder for manual arc welding. DIY holder. Main types of welding holders

In the process of manufacturing structures, a joining method such as welding is actively used. It is used not only in industry, but also in everyday life. By doing welding work a holder for welding equipment is used. To avoid difficulties when carrying out welding work, it is necessary to pay great attention to all components of the welding equipment, including the holder.

Which holder to choose

During its existence, welding devices have been constantly improved. The result of this is that the market currently offers big choice modifications and devices intended for welding machines. Specialized stores offer a large number of various holders for welding. This largely determines the difficulty of choosing a suitable holder for welding machine.

To perform professional welding, you must use special holder. Also, welding work carried out by amateurs at home cannot do without it. When performing welding work great importance It has right choice mode. This affects the quality welded joint, obtained upon completion of welding.

When carrying out work, compliance with safety regulations is of great importance. The life and health of a specialist depends on this. To do this, you need to take the choice of welding accessories seriously.

When choosing a holder for welding, you should pay attention to the presence fixation possibilities on the electrode holder various diameters. They must be securely fastened, and the device itself must be durable.

Types and characteristics of holders

As mentioned above, the market offers big number modifications welding holders. The most common are the following:

• trident fork;
• collet;
• pin.

When performing welding work, you have to hold a welding clamp in your hands under different conditions:

• blows;
• cooling;
• strong vibration;
• high humidity.

For this reason, electrode holders are subject to a specific set of requirements.

• The handle should be comfortable for the welder.
• Plastic required thickness should act as the main material of manufacture. This ensures optimal insulation properties of the holder and also achieves the required structural strength.

Clothes clip

If we talk about the most common type of holder for welding, then it is a clothespin clamp. The demand for this type of welding fixture is due to its simplicity, as well as low price. In addition, this device has many advantages. The main ones include the following:

• compatible with big amount types of welding machines;
• simplicity of design;
• ease of use;
• reliability of electrode retention;
• absence of non-insulated areas of the current collector on the holder.

Fork trident

The demand for this type of holder is largely due to the fact that when carrying out welding work, specialists use just such modification of this device. In many countries around the world, professional welders use just such a holder during their work. But using a trident fork also has many advantages. The following are the most important:

• ignition of the welding arc is automated;
• when using such a holder, energy consumption is reduced by 60%;
• ensures high quality seams.

Disadvantages of the trident fork

The fork-trident type holder is chosen by many welders. However, the use of this type of holder is prohibited in many countries. This is due to the fact that its use causes serious harm to the health of specialists, as well as people who are in close proximity to the welding machine. Statistics show that welders who used this type of holder during work got burns or were injured by electric shock. The main danger when using this holder is that it has a large number of exposed parts that carry high voltage.

Another disadvantage of the trident fork is the high risk of radiation burns to the eyes. Cases where specialists received eye burns when using such a holder occurred quite often. This clip has a plus, but only one. It lies in its low cost.

But with a clothespin holder in manual and the usual version the situation is completely different. When using it, harm to the specialist is excluded. Therefore, for safe work, it is best to use a clothespin.

Holder, equipped with threaded fixation, is the most reliable element for welding, which can also serve long time. One of its advantages is that it allows you to select the level of inclination of the electric cathode, which can be located at any angle.

Welders with extensive experience do not consider quality and price to be insignificant factors when choosing a holder. They must be taken into account along with others when choosing this device. There's no need to choose inexpensive holder for welding. But you also don’t need to spend a lot of money on a high-cost device. Especially if the holder is needed to perform work in domestic conditions.

If a person decides to purchase a holder at a price of 500 rubles, then long work there is no hope. It is not suitable for professional welding, but for one-time work on connecting structures using the welding method, it is great solution. If your choice falls on an expensive welding clamp, then you need to make sure that the device has good quality characteristics. Professional welders should purchase the device at high price- about 3000 rub.

When choosing a holder, it is necessary to give preference to those devices that provide the ability to fix the electrodes, taking into account the amount of current required for the operation of the equipment. If the work of a welding specialist involves travel, then it is necessary to consider spare welding clamp. Saving on this device is not best idea. It is often necessary to perform professional welding work under high load conditions. By selecting quality product, a specialist can use it for a long time without experiencing any problems.

If the specialist chose a holder for the device, which is designed for 200 A, then when performing work in the 300 A mode, the welding fixture will only be enough for 2 days of work. When welding, you can quickly notice the appearance of a plastic smell, which begins to burn when the electrode holder heats up. Its combustion also occurs due to weak contact of the device with the electrode. All this leads to the fact that the clamp holder burns when welding. Pretty soon it breaks down and becomes absolutely unsuitable for further use.

When choosing a holder for welding, you should also take into account its ampere load for which it is designed. It may increase depending on the weight and size of the welding equipment. For ease of work, you need to choose the right holder. When welding requires a current strength close to the current strength of the welding generator, it is necessary to select devices designed for loads in the range from 200 to 500 A.

Conclusion

Welding holder - necessary equipment for convenient welding work. These products are in stores are offered in a wide variety. By choosing the right welding clamp, you can ensure the efficiency of welding and at the same time the safety of the specialist during it.

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 weld seam 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

This type of device allows you to perform work using almost 100% of the length of the 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.

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 are most often about products made in China, 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 a 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 is Russian market about 500 rubles.

2. Sibrteh 500A - inexpensive, but quality tool domestically produced, 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.

Welding is an integral part production process, and is also quite in demand in everyday life. Any welding unit requires an electrode holder, which, like other components, must be given sufficient attention.

Accessories for welding equipment are constantly being improved. As a result, there are enough on sale today a large assortment various components for welding. One of these is the welding holder, the modifications of which are also quite large. Therefore, many people who do not have sufficient experience in welding find it difficult to make the right choice when purchasing this tool. Some are put off by the high cost, others by the safety.

Welding safety requires paying special attention to:

• on the quality of components of welding equipment;
• for their compactness and ease of use.

The welding holder is used when carrying out welding work by professional and amateur welders. Correct selection welding mode, taking into account the totality of all requirements for quality implementation welding work is an important criterion.

When choosing a holder for welding, you need to consider first of all:

• reliability of fixation of electrodes of any diameter;
• duration of the operational period.

Most suitable option You don’t have to look for a holder for welding work in a store; you can easily make it yourself at home. Let's consider design features various homemade holders.

Trident

This tool is a classic welding activity. There is no electric welder who would not at least once use a homemade “fork” made from three pieces of reinforcement during the work process. The role of the dielectric handle was most often performed by a small piece of rubber hose or a bicycle handlebar handle. Regular rag tape was rarely used.

Features of using the trident:

• The design of the tool is quite simple, but it is not very convenient and safe during the work process. The main disadvantage is problems with removing the cinder;
• When using such a holder, the electrode is almost completely consumed - this, of course, has always been welcomed. Cinder in in this case removed with pliers or a hammer. One could often observe how the welder beats the holder on the asphalt, thus knocking out the cinder;
• One of the disadvantages of this tool is poor contact. Welders often attributed poor-quality welds to poor-quality electrodes, but in fact the reason for this was oxides on the reinforcement, which resulted in current loss. When using such an electrode holder, you should always have a file on hand.

More reliable design is a rod welded to a metal corner. This device is different good contact and securely holds the electrode. The disadvantage is similar to the trident - it is problematic to get rid of the remainder of the used electrode.

Trident with spring

This is a modernized version of the trident. The tool is made of steel good quality. To achieve the most reliable contact, it is recommended to use stainless steel. The peculiarity of this design is that the finger located in the center springs the electrode - this makes it much easier to replace the used electrode.

The disadvantage of such a holder is that the materials used are more expensive, but the cost is significantly lower than the product made at the factory.

Threaded collet electrode clamp

Such a homemade welding holder can be made from any available material; the process itself is quite troublesome. The tool itself is quite reliable and easy to use. The main thing in this case is to ensure reliable cable contact.

Collet electrode clamp

This is an analogue of the previous tool, only in this case instead of threaded connection A spring clamp is used. The main advantage of the product is the ease of replacing used electrodes. It is worth considering one nuance: the more powerful the spring, the more effort will be required when replacing it. But then the reliability of the contact increases, and accordingly the current strength increases.

Recommendations from experienced welders on selecting an electrode holder

1. Experienced welders advise paying attention when choosing a holder to the quality of the tool and its cost. It is not recommended to purchase the cheapest products, but you should not choose the most expensive ones either (especially when the holder is planned to be used for one-time work at home).
2. The most reliable tool is a holder with threaded fixation, which also has the longest service life. This tool allows you to select the required angle of the electric cathode.
3. It is better to give preference to products that provide fixation of the electrode depending on the current value.
4. If welding work involves traveling to different sites, then you should take care of a spare holder. In this case, savings are inappropriate.
5. If you decide to buy a welding holder for 500 rubles, then you can’t count on its long-term operation. This holder can be used at home to perform one-time work, but not for professional welding.
6. If you purchase an expensive tool, then you need to carefully analyze it quality characteristics. Welding clamps for professional welding cost approximately 3 thousand rubles.
7. Also, when choosing a holder, you need to pay attention to what load it is designed for in amperes. Depends on parameters, weight welding inverter current load increases. If the current required for welding is approximately equal to the generator current, then it is recommended to purchase holders that can withstand current loads of 200-500 amperes.
8. If you purchase a welding holder for welding equipment designed for 200 amperes, and you carry out welding work at 300 amperes, then the tool will last a maximum of two working days. During the welding process, the smell of burnt plastic begins to be felt very quickly when the electrode holder heats up. This can also occur due to poor contact between the electrode and the clamp. As a result, the tool clamp burns out when performing welding work and very quickly fails, that is, it becomes completely unsuitable for further use.

In production, construction and everyday life it is very important process. Along with the choice of welding machine, it is necessary to pay attention to the electrode holder for. On this moment There are a huge number of clamps that differ from each other in design, weight, etc. In addition, you can make a welding holder yourself. In this article we will talk about how to make a holder with your own hands.

The electrode holding device is very important node, although its design is quite simple. The following are some requirements:

• proper dielectric and thermal insulation must be ensured;
• the wire must be fastened securely;
• reliable retention of the rods must be ensured;
• The cinder should be easily replaced with a new rod.

Factory fastener models

Before you consider homemade holder electrodes, you should inquire about factory models. There are several types of them.

Collet

A very convenient type of clamp, it is light and compact. The electrode here is easily replaced with a new one. The collet handle is good from electric and temperature influence. The disadvantages include high cost, operating current limitation. You should also not leave a short stub, as this can damage the handle.

It is important to remember that as the length of the electrode decreases, the current passing through it also increases.

Pin

The most common type of restraint devices. Depending on the operating current and diameter, the holder can be different sizes. The clothespin can be used when working with almost any current value. The contact with the rod is good, and with the help of the handle you can easily get rid of the cinder. The disadvantages of clothespins include a larger design and a more complex process for replacing the electrode.

Fork (trident)

Currently the holders of this type They are not available for sale and can only be found on secondary markets. The fork differs from previous types in its simple design. The electrode is almost completely gone, the cinders are very short. But, perhaps, these are all the advantages of the trident. The trident does not match, which causes high level its risk of injury. In order to remove the rod from the fork, you must use additional tools, such as a hammer or pliers.

DIY welding holders. How to make a welding holder?

If desired, you can make a homemade holder for welding. Maybe, homemade models and are inferior to factory ones in quality and reliability, but they can also be used. Such holders are enough cheap analogue expensive factory models. Here we will look at the designs of homemade holders of various types.

Trident

We talked about this type of retainer above when we described factory models of retaining devices. This model is easy to make yourself. The trident consists of three pieces of reinforcement welded together in a certain way. In order to protect yourself from electric shock, you can put a piece of rubber hose on the handle.

Despite the simplicity of the design, it is necessary to use a homemade holder with extreme caution, as there is a risk of injury during operation. Due to the fact that the reinforcement is constantly covered with scale, it must be cleaned in order to obtain a good result. Scale affects the loss of current, thereby impairing contact and making the welding process less efficient.

Metal corner and reinforcement rod

This option is more effective than the trident. Here the contact of the rod with the holder increases, which has a positive effect. But a homemade holder for electrodes of this type has the same disadvantage as a plug - the electrode is difficult to remove.

Fork with spring

Modernized version of the fork. The trident (fork) with a spring must be made of high-quality material, which will improve the quality of the welding process. A homemade holder of this design has a spring-loaded finger instead of one reinforcement rod, which makes it easier to replace the cinder with a whole electrode.

The welding business is developing by leaps and bounds: new types of equipment make welding accessible, useful and interesting for beginners and professionals. Let's add one more word - “comfortable” business.

What does it mean to work “comfortably”? This means convenient, pleasant and effective. This comfort is added by various modern components. These, of course, include the electrode holder, whose new and varied forms have appeared on the market in large numbers.

What is he doing? In short, it controls the electrode during welding: it secures it and moves it welding current. Hence the desirable properties.

Homemade holder.

Functions and technological properties that a welding holder must have:

• provides strong fixation of the electrode with a changing angle of electrode exit;
• gives reliable and complete electrical contact;
• durability;
• capable of quick replacement;
• should be light weight so that the hand does not get tired. The usual weight of the holder is about 350 g. For a current of 500A, the device is more powerful and can weigh up to 750 g;
• Mandatory ergonomics: comfortable position in the hand, requiring no effort.

One of the classic stereotypes is buying a larger and more powerful device with a pipe dream in my head so that it works longer and better. In reality this does not happen. This also applies to the welding holder.

Classification of electrical holders

Generally speaking, these devices are divided into two large groups: specialized and universal, regulated in GOSTs.

Homemade electrode holder.

The most popular types of universal holders are as follows:

• Holder – clothespin clamp type can be presented in two versions: spring and lever. This device, which can be called an electrode clamp, has the utmost simple design And low cost. It is compatible with almost all welding units. Gives excellent characteristics: good arc ignition, high quality seam and, importantly, energy savings.
• The trident fork is perhaps the most common version among professional welders. With these electrode holders for manual arc welding There are some nuances involved. The point is that in traditional form it is poorly protected: many parts are live, which carries a high risk of harm to health. In addition to electrical injury, there is a risk of additional radiation injury. There are, of course, modified automated models that are considered safe and show good technological performance.
• The holder is a clamping type collet used in narrow direction: Only in argon arc welding torches.
• Screw holder in several versions: the clamp can be straight or curved with in different directions threads - both left and right.
• The flameless holder works on a different principle. True to its name, it prevents the occurrence of cinders and reduces the fastening time of the consumable, which is not secured with a clamp, but is welded to the end of the electrode so that it will eventually melt during welding. After this, the next consumable is taken.

Dimensions

Electrode holder designed by Anikin.

What is behind the concept of ergonomics? It is compact and suitable size for specific hand masters light weight. If you have a line of welding holders with the same technical characteristics, choose the one that is lighter and smaller in size.

If you travel to different work sites, purchase a second spare welding holder.

Degree of reliability

The reliability of the devices is tested under non-standard operating conditions. Holders for welding must work reliably and without loss of their qualities when critical temperatures, high humidity, dust pollution, etc. The plastic of the handle should be durable with good insulation.

It is better if the clamp is cast and massive. Screw electrode holders with rigid threaded fixation are very reliable. They are the most durable in operation and, in addition, make it possible to change the angle of the cathode end.

Price

The range of prices is impressive: from one hundred rubles to fifteen thousand. Of course, the cheapest models, by definition, cannot be considered safe or reliable. If you are not going to buy disposable equipment, you need to pay attention to the average price categories models.

Expensive options are designed for large-scale professional work; these are also unlikely to suit you. If you decide to purchase an expensive model, analyze its characteristics most carefully. Clamps for professional work cannot cost less than three thousand rubles.

DIY power holder

Varieties of homemade holders.

Trident

Most often, craftsmen make a homemade holder for electrodes in the form of the well-known trident. In more detail, they are making the same simple version trident, which is difficult to find on sale due to health hazards.

Types of holders for welding.

With all this, the trident can be made quite safe using the following algorithm of actions:

• The base of the do-it-yourself holder is reinforcement or a metal rod made of steel after bending. The diameter of the rod must be at least 8 mm.
• Two parts of the tube are welded to the trident: one part fixes the cable insulation, the second part crimps the cable without insulation.
• The insulator can be a piece of reinforced hose. Careful installation is the most important thing; the safety of the device will depend on this. The fasteners of the insulator must not be allowed to loosen; for this, you can use a special anaerobic thread locker Done Deal.

Screw model

How to create a screw holder model:

• A copper tube can be used to make an excellent screw-type holder. Scraps of copper tubing can be found in abundance from air conditioner installers. Typically this is a pipe with an outer diameter of 19 mm.
• The handle can be made from metal-plastic pipe with an outer diameter of 26 mm. The most the best option there will be a rubber hose. The handle must be pulled copper tube so that it completely covers it.
• The handle should be wrapped in a piece of jacket or glove so that it does not slip in your hands.
• The final step will be to glue an M12 bolt with a through hole into the cover from plastic bottle. Your homemade electrode holder is ready.

Electrode holders for both manual arc welding and argon welding are an excellent help for craftsmen for ease of work and improving the quality of products. These devices can be purchased, or you can make them yourself. The main criteria in all cases are safety, stability and reliability.