DIY: ARC Welder

An arc welder fundamentally consists of a high-current, low-voltage source of energy and a way to complete an electrical circuit. Common car batteries are an easy and cheap way to create this kind of electricity.

• 1

  Connect at least two 12-volt automotive batteries together. Wire these in parallel by attaching the negative lead of Battery 1 to the negative lead of Battery 2, and the positive lead of Battery 1 to the positive lead of Battery 2.

  Because these are wired in parallel, the voltage will remain 12 volts but the amperage will double.

  Use automotive-thickness cables to do this.

• 2

  Attach one end of a jumper cable to one of the negative terminals of one battery. Attach the other end to the metal you will be welding on.

• 3

  Attach a different jumper cable to one of the positive terminals of one battery. It does not matter which one. Attach the other end of the jumper cable to a stick of welding rod. This rod is available at a local hardware or welding supply store.

• 4

  Add more batteries, connected in parallel, if you want to weld on a thick piece of metal. The thicker the metal, the more batteries you will need.