What does freehand welding involve?

Freehand welding refers to the technique of manually guiding the welding torch without any mechanical assistance or support. This method requires the welder to hold the torch off the work surface while executing the weld, allowing for greater maneuverability and precision. This skill is crucial in applications where the welder must navigate around complex geometries or access tight spaces that would make the use of mechanical guides impractical.

The focus on manual control in freehand welding emphasizes the welder's skill and experience, as it demands a steady hand and a good eye for maintaining proper torch angle, travel speed, and molten pool control. This technique is often used in positions or locations where the use of fixtures or jigs is not feasible.

Other choices do not accurately represent the freehand welding technique: using a mechanical guide would imply assistance that is contrary to the definition of freehand, welding with the torch resting on the surface indicates a static position that limits movement, and having both hands on the torch may not represent the preferred method as it can restrict the welder's ability to make adjustments.