26 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be reproduced or posted to a publicly accessible website. Actual size Field weld symbol Weld-all-around symbol Welding process or specification (often omitted) Tail (often omitted) Reference line Weld symbol Weld size A-2 1 4 Figure 5-2. The welding symbol is made up of basic and supplementary weld symbols and gives complete and specifi c welding information to the welder. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 5-3. This drawing shows the use of welding symbols. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher How Welding Symbols Are Used When using welding symbols to specify the required weld, the location of the arrow in relation to the joint is very important. When the weld is to be made on the arrow side of the joint, the weld symbol is placed below the reference line as shown in Figure 5-4. A weld on the other side of the joint (not the arrow side) is specifi ed by placing the weld symbol on top of the reference line, Figure 5-5.