Comfortable welding position in real world situations

[ELL]

I can rest my arm against things to make it easier for myself when practicing stick welding, but are professional welders able to do that on the job or do you sometimes have to just stay as steady as you can without resting your arm on somthing? I really struggle at times with a shaky arm. Thanks.

 

[pedrobedro]

Some welders rest one elbow and grip the stinger with both hands and one who worked at the local scrapyard always gripped the rod with his left hand, elbow tucked in against his body till the rod burnt down too far, you do whatever suits you.

 

[Erie Fred]

We had an alcoholic welder with the shakes.....made for a nice weave.

 

[Erie Fred]

I can rest my arm against things to make it easier for myself when practicing stick welding, but are professional welders able to do that on the job or do you sometimes have to just stay as steady as you can without resting your arm on somthing? I really struggle at times with a shaky arm. Thanks.

We all do.
Just get as comfortable as you can, even if you need to use a small wood stick (or hammer handle) to prop against the table etc.

 

[Henry Morton Stanley]

I like to use a handheld welding mask. For some reason, my welds are better when I use only one hand on the stinger.

 

[Barking Mat]

I found doing five days solid, it's all very positional.

I found I was constantly welding in different positions which made me ache.

 

[sjp001]

When I have had to do tig welding in difficult positions it helps me find arc welding a breeze in comparison... might be worth trying if you have access to tig.

 

[Porkypine]

I always made a point of making myself comfortable as possible, and arranging things to lean on if necessary whether it be an arm, a length of metal /wood etc ( or bits of the job itself!) . I used to have a couple of spare old land rover seat cushions in the motor which were sometimes very handy to prop yourself up on or even put under your head if it was a job you had to do lying down in a cramped position.
Life's too short to be uncomfortable

 

[colnerov]

Whatever feels comfortable.

 

[Porkypine]

I have to confess I've done this kind of thing, erm, "occasionally"....

 

[Popcorn]

Did something similar years ago, to the gear change linkage on the girlfriends 1.3 Maestro