Stick welding
Why does stick welding not need gas?
Quick answer
Stick welding needs no bottled gas — the flux coating on the rod burns into shielding gas and slag as it welds.
Gas or shielding detail
Flow rates for stick welding: no shielding gas needed. That's why stick shrugs off wind and works on rust: the shield forms around the arc from the rod itself. Store rods dry though — damp flux means hydrogen and cracking.
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