An arrangement is provided including an electrode extending to an electrode tip for contacting a workpiece. A welding configuration of the electrode tip is established by exposing the electrode tip to a selected welding environment for use in forming a weld having a target set of weld parameters. An electrode passage is defined in a biasing force arrangement supporting at least a portion of the length of an elongated, flexible electrode and to limit lateral movement sufficient to transfer at least a portion of a resilient force to the electrode tip so that the tip resiliently contacts the weld region. The electrode passage limits induced lateral flexing to an extent which transfers an amount of the resilient force to the first end portion of the electrode that is sufficient to provide for formation of a weld between the support arrangement and the workpiece.