Abstract: An arc welding simulator for instructional use includes a handpiece that supports a retractably mounted heat tube. The handpiece and heat tube are sized and shaped to resemble an actual electric arc welding apparatus, including an electrode. The simulator includes a drive mechanism for retracting the heat tube at a predetermined rate that simulates consumption of an actual arc welding electrode. A source of hot, pressurized air provides a stream of hot air through the heat tube. The simulator is used in combination with heat-sensitive paper that is preferably imprinted with a predetermined pattern resembling the pattern of movement that is followed during actual arc welding. A trainee uses the simulator by attempting to superimpose a thermal trace on the imprinted pattern.