Dirty steel, wind, outdoors
Stick Welding (SMAW)
Stick welding — shielded metal arc welding — is what you use when conditions are against you. The flux on the electrode makes its own shielding gas as it burns, so wind does not blow the protection off the weld pool.
That makes it the right choice for outdoor work in Florida, and for steel that is thick, rusted, painted or otherwise less than clean.
What the job includes
- SMAW on carbon steel, low alloy and cast iron
- Outdoor and windy-condition welding
- Work on rusted, painted or contaminated material
- Thick section and multi-pass welds
- Electrode selection matched to the base material
Where it gets used
- Structural repairs outdoors where gas shielding would fail
- Heavy equipment and machinery repair
- Steel that cannot be cleaned back to bright metal
- Field work where dragging a gas bottle is impractical
Common questions
Why stick instead of MIG?
Wind and dirt. MIG relies on a shielding gas that a breeze will strip away, and it wants clean material. Stick makes its own shield and tolerates rust and paint, so it wins outdoors and on older steel.
Is a stick weld weaker than MIG?
No. Done properly, a stick weld is every bit as strong. The difference is speed, cleanup and appearance — stick leaves slag to chip and a rougher bead.
Can you stick weld cast iron?
Yes, with the right electrode and preheat. Cast iron is unforgiving — tell us what the part is and we will tell you honestly whether welding or replacing is the better call.
Stick Welding (SMAW) in your area
Other services
Tell us what needs welding.
Send drawings, photos or dimensions — or just describe it. We will tell you straight whether we are the right crew for it.