Similarly, of mining equipment relies on a variant: thousands of overlapping puddles of tungsten-carbide-rich rod, creating a surface like a crocodile’s back. That’s puddle welding at industrial scale.
For stick (SMAW): run 10-15% below recommended. For MIG: drop voltage until the arc is soft. For TIG: low amperage, small tungsten.
The name evokes something primitive: melting metal into a liquid pool and letting it be . No weaves, no stringers, no travel angle. Just a puddle. And in that puddle lies an entire philosophy of repair.
As the lower structural member starts to melt, the welder manipulates the electrode in a tight circular or spiral motion. This movement deposits filler metal while washing the molten metal against the inner edges of the newly burned hole. 4. Filling and Cooling
Arc puddle welding methods, design capacities, and operator qualifications are governed strictly by the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.3 Structural Welding Code – Sheet Steel . Welders must pass specific certification testing for this technique before working on commercial job sites. Material Thickness Limits
It anchors lightweight Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) structural frames in multi-storey commercial buildings.
The heat burns an intentional hole through the upper thin sheet (such as corrugated steel decking). This exposes the thicker structural member underneath. 3. Creating the Pool
Dip filler (or let the electrode burn) until the puddle swells slightly above the surface. For stick, this happens automatically — just hold still.
Puddle welding, also known as plug welding or spot welding, is a type of welding process used to join two metal pieces together by creating a small pool of molten metal, or puddle, at the joint. This technique is commonly used in various industries, including construction, automotive, and manufacturing.
Hard to verify visually; requires strict operator certification. Technical Specifications and Code Compliance
There is a strange beauty to a good puddle weld. It is not the beauty of a TIG rainbow or a laser seam. It is the beauty of a dry-stone wall — irregular, pragmatic, and perfectly adapted to its rough materials.
According to structural standards, arc spot welds can penetrate multiple layers of steel deck.
Want to learn puddle welding? Forget coupons. Get a piece of 16-gauge sheet metal. Drill a ½-inch hole in it. Weld it shut with 1/16-inch 7018 at 50 amps or .030 MIG at 16 volts.