Which angle is defined as the angle between the plane of the welding gun and the joint being welded?

• A. Travel angle
• B. Lead angle
• C. Tilt angle
• D. Work angle

Answer: (D)

The work angle is the angle between the plane of the welding gun and the joint being welded. This orientation is what directs heat and filler metal into the joint, shaping the bead and ensuring proper fusion. When the gun’s face is aligned with the joint plane, the molten metal is deposited where you want it, producing a sound weld with good penetration and a proper bead profile. If this angle is off, you can end up with poor fusion, excessive buildup, or undercut, because the heat and filler aren’t entering the joint as intended. The other angles describe different aspects of gun orientation—travel angle relates to the direction you move along the joint, tilt angle is the up-and-down lean of the gun, and lead angle is a forward offset to help with fusion and arc control—so they don’t define the relationship between the gun’s plane and the joint itself.