welding marks from ground clamp

[1930artdeco]

Quick question, I am using my ESAB welder at 110 and wondering why my ground clamp leaves small scorch marks? What do I need to change? I am running about 13 amps because I am welding sheet metal on my car.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[rlitman]

Clean up the surfaces on your ground clamp and what it's clamping on. Maybe get a better clamp?

 

[Danny]

I’ve noticed that happens sometimes when the clamp is on there kind of loose, small gap that arcs from the clamp to the weldment. The clamp and metal surface should both be nice and clean and check to see that the bolt connecting the lead to the clamp is tight.

 

[The Cobbler]

yup. burn marks means it's arcing. arcing means a bad connection.

 

[larry_g]

Consider getting something like a C clamp style, https://www.zoro.com/powerweld-c-clamp-type-ground-clamp-600a-ecwg60c/i/G604191651/?gclid=7f0f19fd57841bdff6287ebb5dfdd7fa&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=7f0f19fd57841bdff6287ebb5dfdd7fa&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ml_all_dyn_main_pmax_medium - TP skus - Welding, Soldering & Brazing - bing&utm_term=2334606783813918&utm_content=Welding, Soldering & Brazing

To assure that your getting a large connection patch. If your not clamping on a large enough contact area then all the current flowing has to go through a small contact point causing heat and your resulting marks. Think of it as a spot welder.

 

[cgrutt]

I know ESAB is a good welder but consider upgrading your ground clamp if the one on it is not getting results you are after. I just have a small Lincoln flux core that I upgraded to MIG with shielding gas. I replaced the ground clamp that came on it with a Lenco like this one. All copper alloy and Made in USA. No issues with burn marks, etc.

 

[rlitman]

I know ESAB is a good welder but consider upgrading your ground clamp if the one on it is not getting results you are after. I just have a small Lincoln flux core that I upgraded to MIG with shielding gas. I replaced the ground clamp that came on it with a Lenco like this one. All copper alloy and Made in USA. No issues with burn marks, etc.

I should take a picture of the jaws of my Lenco clamp. It's full of burn marks from where I've grabbed rusty parts, and yes, those parts got matching burn marks.

Get a good connection to clean metal and you won't get arcing. Poor connections lead to arcing. The C clamp above is a good idea when you cannot afford burn marks. I've even been known to clamp my ground to a sacrificial pair of vise grips (be sure to grab the jaw and not the handle).

 

[danielbuck]

if I'm grounding to something that isn't nice clean looking metal, I'll usually give the ground clamp a twist back and forth a few times once the clamp is tight to the metal. not sure it helps any, but in my mind it grinds away at the rust/whatever and makes the connection better

also, clean the ground clamp jaws every now and then, get it back to bare copper.

 

[BigMike782]

Weld a tab somewhere out of sight and clamp to that.

 

[danielbuck]

if I ever get another clamp, I'd like to try this style.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Jacko264]

You need a clamping clamp there better then spring clamps only take longer to put on the work piece

stop it sparking it can burn parts out in the welder
don’t ask how I know

 

[yatg]

 

[Jacko264]

This is a lot like on my welder it’s very important to clean the metal before clamping to it
G

 

[OccupantRJ]

When welding on my welding table I shove the ground clamp back and forth while clamping it to the table to scratch it in. On other items I will sometimes clamp it to an old pair of vise grips that I clamp in place

 

[john.k]

Cheap vice grips,braze copper blocks onto the jaws ,and a terminal .

 

[1930artdeco]

I thought I had a good connection a few times-apparently not. I will look into an upgraded clamp made of copper. Thank you all for the replies. I just having fun learning to weld.

Mike

 

[tarmy]

I use a magnetic clamp…all kinds of shapes and sizes. Never had grounding issues with them.

 

[Muckin_Slusher]