Difference Between Forehand vs Backhand Welding

Welding is an important fabrication process utilized in the manufacturing and commercial construction industries to connect numerous objects. As you might know, this is done by heating the objects, which melts them.

As the objects cool, they become one contiguous object, thus creating a permanent connection. Welding processes melt the objects together, although in general, there are 2 types of welding, forehand or backhand. So, what is the difference between forehand and backhand welding?

What Is Forehand Welding?

Forehand welding, commonly referred to as push welding or forward welding, entails holding the welding torch at an angle of approximately 30–45 degrees to the push (or forward) angle.

With that push angle, the welding rod is pulled behind the torch. When the torch is being utilized, the headset is directed toward welding direction between the filler rod and the molten puddle.

Next, the flame and the filler rod/electrode are rotated semicircular, where the flame and filler rod/electrode are pointed in opposite directions.

Therefore, by pushing the filler rod and welding torch in the opposite direction, you can quickly melt the end of the rod and the sidewalls of the plates into an even melting puddle which is distributed evenly.

When utilizing forehand welding, the edges of the metal will be pre-heated evenly, resulting in great arc welding.

Since the heat of the welding torch tip is pointed away from the rod, the metal will be circularly molten. In general, forehand welding is noted for excellent control of the puddle and depth of penetration. In addition, forehand welding is effective for overhead and vertical welding positions.

Even though the push welding technique allows for a faster travelling speed when welding, the penetration is lesser than the backwards welding technique. Finally, forehand welding may produce more spatter and random arc.

What Is Backhand Welding?

In the backhand method, the torch tip is in front (on the weld side) of the rod and the flame is directed towards the molten puddle and completed weld. The end of the rod will be putting between the torch tip and the molten puddle.

The angle of the welding tip should be about 45 to 60 to the plates or joint being welded. Less oscillation is required when using the backhand method rather than the forehand method. If you are using a straight welding rod it needs to be rotated so that the end can roll back and forth as the end melts off evenly.

You may also bend the rod and when welding move the rod and the torch forwards and backwards at a rapid speed. If you are welding a large weld move the rod in such a way as to make concentric circles in the molten puddle.

The torch is moved in a line back and forth across the weld area as it is steadily and uniformly moved in the direction of the weld. You will find the backhand method is best for welding materials thicker than 1/8 inch. It is possible to use a narrower “V” on the joint than is possible when the forehand method is used.

An included angle of 60 is a sufficient angle of bevel to produce a good joint. It does not take as much welding rod or puddling capability with the backhand method as it does with the forehand method. Using the backhand method on thicker material does allow for greater welding speed and better control of the larger puddle, as well as better fusion at the root of the weld.

In addition, when the backhand method is used with a reducing flame, the amount of base metal which is melted when welding a joint is reduced. The backhand method is rarely used for welding sheet metal because the additional heat generated when using this method will cause the likelihood of accidental overheating and burning.

The use of the backhand method when welding steel with a reducing flame means that when welding steel, the absorption of carbon by a thin layer of surface metal lowers the melting point of the steel thereby allowing for a more swifter welding operation.

Forehand and Backhand Welding for Other Fabrication Processes

Forehand welding and backhand welding are different because of positions of the torch and rod. In forehand welding, the torch is ahead of the rod (held before applying to the base metal or using it), and, in backhand welding, the torch is behind the rod (held before applying to the base metal).

With names mean “forehand welding” and “backhand welding,” you might assume they are used for welding only. In fact, both forehand and backhand techniques can be used for fabrication processes, such as brazing and soldering.
 
Brazing and soldering are fabrication processes that are different from welding because they don’t melt the objects to be attached together, but it is still correct to use forehand and backhand techniques for welding, soldering, and brazing.

Similarities between forehand welding and backhand welding

• The forehand and backhand welding techniques relate to fusion welding processes (primarily gas welding but the notion can be extended to most arc welding processes).
• Most of the arc welding and gas welding processes can be performed either in the forehand or in the backhand technique.
• Filler metal can be added in either configuration.
• The flame or arc length is constant and in the same area depending on the forehand or backhand approach.
• Joint integrity relies almost entirely with the skills of the welder, regardless of the technique.

Differences between forehand welding and backhand welding

Forehand Welding	Backhand Welding
In forward welding, the flame or electrode is pointed towards the direction of weld progression.	In backward welding, the flame or electrode is pointed away from the direction of weld progression.
Here the torch is inclined at an obtuse angle (usually 135° – 150°) with the feed vector.	Here the torch is inclined at an acute angle (usually 30° – 45°) with the feed vector.
The torch is situated above the deposited weld bead (puddle).	The torch does not remain above the weld bead, rather it remains above the unfilled root gap.
Filler metal is applied ahead of the torch.	Filler metal is applied behind the torch.
Pre-heating of the base metals takes place automatically in the forehand technique.	No pre-heating occurs here.
No post-heating occurs here.	The backhand welding technique facilitates the post-heating of the deposited weld bead.
The weld joint is subjected to undesired residual stress.	Post-heating allows the joint to be continuously annealed which helps to relieve the residual stress.
Pre-heating offers a faster torch-feeding rate, which helps in improving productivity.	Torch feeding rate is usually slow due to a lack of pre-heating.
It increases the filler deposition rate but cannot fetch deeper penetration.	It assists in achieving deeper penetration, though the filler deposition rate is slow.
The tendency of spatter formation is more with the forehand technique.	The backhand welding technique creates comparatively less spatter.
This technique offers good visibility to the welder.	The weld zone has poor visibility.
It is preferred for joining thin plates (usually up to 3.0 mm without edge preparation).	It is preferred for joining thicker plates.

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