Learning how to properly strike an arc while arc welding can be quite a headache. There are several ways to strike an arc and we will cover them here. Probably one of the most difficult things is that you can't see what you are doing, so I highly recommend that you get a welding cap that automatically darkens. This is probably the most important investment you will make in learning how to arc weld.
The basic theory behind how to arc is simple. You must bring the metal of the electrode into contact with the metal you are welding. It must then be immediately pulled away from the metal by about 1/4 inch. If you don't pull it away, it will just stick to your work. If this happens, a quick twist and drag will usually loosen it. If it does not break free on the first attempt, you will need to squeeze the clamp on the electrode holder and pull it free. Remember, whenever the electrode sticks to your workpiece, the welder will short out. This will cause it to overheat faster and could blow a fuse or circuit breaker in the breaker box.
There are a few tips on how to arc, and I suggest you try all of them to see which one works best for you. Remember, practice is the key to being a good welder. The first method is the stab-and-poke method. This works by placing the electrode about 1/2 inch from the work. Then flip the helmet down. Now you want to quickly jab the rod into the work and then immediately pull it back out. Another method is the scratch method. This method works very much like striking a match. Imagine that the rod is matched and the spot where you want to place the weld is the firing pin. If you make sure to use a very fast stroke, it is unlikely that you will use an electrode rod when using this method.
A common problem that people encounter is that whatever the electrode is, it simply freezes to a working state. If you experience this, it likely means that the amplifier on the welder needs to be turned on. Try turning it up 10 amps at a time until it stops sticking. If you succeed in starting the arc, but then it immediately goes out, then you are pulling the weld rod too far away from your work. Remember, you only want to pull it back about 1/4 inch.
Once the arc is gone, you need to start feeding the electrode into it immediately. The electrode will burn out quickly, so you must keep it at the correct distance to maintain the arc. When it is at the correct distance, it will crackle. If you get it too far away, it's more like a popping sound with sparks flying in all directions. If it's too close, you'll see the arc start to go out and it will make less noise. If the arc goes out after a bit of welding, you can restart it more easily while the metal is still melting. Simply insert the electrode back into the puddle while you can still see it glowing through the mask.
Sometimes it's necessary to get the arc started in the right place. This can be difficult if you don't have an auto-darkening helmet. One trick is to place a small piece of clear tape over the metal that ends right where you want the bead to start. This allows you to place the electrode on the tape, turn the helmet up, then lower the helmet and drag it off the tape.
Learning how to strike the arc can be one of the most frustrating steps in learning how to arc weld. Fortunately, once you get it down, it becomes almost natural. Learning how to arc weld is primarily a hands-on process. Buy yourself some scrap metal, spend a few afternoons burning electrodes, and then try to weld anything that matters.
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