Welding Slang Terms and Definitions
Every trade has its own language — and in the welding world, it's a mix of grit, wit, and know-how. Whether you're new to the jobsite or brushing up your vocabulary, here's a list of welding slang you’ll hear in the shop, at the site, or over a cold one after clocking out.
Buzz Box
A nickname for a small AC stick welder, often found in home shops and garages.
Stackin' Dimes
Refers to a perfect-looking weld bead that resembles a stack of shiny dimes — a badge of pride for TIG welders especially.
Snot Weld
A rough, sloppy weld with lots of spatter — usually made by someone still learning or not paying attention.
Whiskers
Thin, sharp wires that stick out from bad MIG welds, often caused by incorrect wire speed or voltage.
Chicken Scratch
Sloppy or inconsistent welds with poor bead appearance — usually a sign of lack of control or rushing.
Hard Hat Time
When a job gets intense or dangerous, and everyone better have their PPE on. It’s go time.
Hot Pass
The second weld pass in a multi-pass weld, which fuses with the root pass and burns out impurities.
Burn-In
Describes deep penetration of a weld into the base material — good for strength, bad if you’re blowing through thin stock.
Under the Hood
Welding with your helmet down. Can also mean someone is actively welding — as in "he’s under the hood right now."
Spaghetti
A tangled mess of MIG wire caused by feeding issues or running out of tension — a shop-floor headache.
Arc Eye
A painful condition from UV light exposure during welding without proper eye protection — like a sunburn on your eyeballs.
Fishplate
A reinforcement plate welded over a joint or damaged section — often used in frame or structural repairs.
Feathering
Gently blending a weld bead into the base metal, often done with a grinder to make welds look smooth or flush.
Booger Weld
An ugly, lumpy weld — the kind you grind down before anyone sees it. Sometimes called a "gob job."
Slag
The crusty byproduct left on top of a weld from flux — needs to be chipped off for a clean finish.
Zap
Slang for initiating the arc. Also used to describe a quick tack weld — “just zap it right there.”
Know the Lingo, Weld Like a Pro
Speaking the language is part of earning your stripes in the welding world. Whether you’re laying beads or teaching rookies, Northern Tool has the welding gear to match your skills — no snot welds allowed.
