Abstract: A welder comprises a tubular support, a collar in the tubular support and a copper-coated carbon rod in the collar which extends coaxially therein. The collar is connected through a slot in the wall of the support to an exterior operating member, said operating member being operable so as to move the rod axially of the tubular support to a position adjacent a workpiece to enable an electric arc to be formed between the rod and the workpiece. A plurality of prongs is provided at one end of said tubular support, said prongs having free ends arranged to engage the workpiece at spaced apart positions adjacent the area where the arc is to be struck. Resilient means is provided to produce a bias which acts against the movement of the rod towards the workpiece.