Welding Tips and Tricks

I see in some of Jody's and a few others videos occasionally they use what looks like a 3/4" copper rod, bent at a 90 degree angle they sometimes set right on their work piece. Is this the make a better ground than just laying the parts on the table? To help hold small parts from moving around?

And what's on the "back" end? I thought I saw a 1 1/2" ?? bar stock wrapped with braided copper wire? Should there be a lug to clamp the ground to? Worth making one?

Thanks in advance.

Pretty sure what you’re describing is a copper “third hand”, which functions simply as a hold-down device. Being copper you don’t have to worry about it getting welded to the work piece. Ground comes via the table usually.


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Yes, they are often referred to as "third hands" and help to hold parts down, give the parts better contact for a ground with the table, and also to provide another ground path. You certainly could put a ground lug on them, but there is really no need, IMO. The table usually provides an adequate path. I make mine out of mild steel or SS. Copper/brass/bronze are great and do a better job of both sinking heat and conducting electricity, but I just don't see the need for the added expense.

It's called a "third hand", used for holding small parts in place while tacking or welding. The weight on the back provides a gravity assist

I see Sparten posted while I was composing this, oh well...

third hands are very much needed.
not only handy to hold stuff but electrical path is extremely helpful.
eg sometimes i have to use a vice to hold things and when you weld it tends to arc between the table and vice. a third hand provides a better current path and stops the arcing.

make them out of what ever you have. i welded a bit of silicone bronze on the contact areas.

Lowe's has number 4 bare copper for under a dollar fifty a lineal foot. I used that with a piece of inch and a half diameter steel as a body for weight and I was good to go. The copper is flexible and obviously a good conductor.

Reckon I'll be searching the shop and making one.