Stick welding
What angle should the torch be for stick welding?
Quick answer
Drag the rod, holding an arc length about one rod-diameter or less, tilted 10–20° in the direction of travel. 'If you're pushing stick, you're doing it wrong' is shop-floor law.
Why the angle matters
Angle directs the arc force and the shield. Pushing pre-heats the path and gives a wider, flatter bead; dragging focuses heat into the metal for penetration but risks slag trapping on fluxed processes. Pick per process and stay consistent — wandering angles make wandering beads.