Welding Tips and Tricks

Holding small pieces at odd angles has always been a problem for me. I am have made a proof of concept magnetic fitting for a magnetic dial indicator holder. While the one I made was on a 3D printer is very heat sensitive it does work. Just some food for thought one of you may find a better way to do it.

Depending upon the strength of the magnet (and its proximity to the weld) it can aggravate a TIG arc in my experience. Might not be such a problem for a quick tack though.

i usually use the strong hand magtabs.

I have the stronghand magtabs and the work fine most of the time, but this is gust another option.

As Cj stated, magnets interfere with tig welding and I've had magnets interfere with mig welding. When I need extra hands, I use a "third hand" that I put together using a connecting rod from Caterpillar engine and pieces of 1/4 inch round stock. Nothing fancy but gives me that extra support.

Magnets do interfere with the arc but it's kinda fun to drag the arc back to where you need to tack.

I can usually hold it "pretty close" and get 1 small tack on it, then adjust from there. It's pretty easy to bend one small MIG tack.

That looks like a good solution. For me, the hardest thing is clamping something that is curved. Clamps want to slide off.
I had to make a jig for this job: