Let me start by saying I am always open to new ideas and viewpoints. If i thought i knew it all I sure as hell wouldn't be askin for opinions. I have had more experience in downhill procedures on pipe. and when I have done uphill, I have usually been able to weave it all the way out. I am pretty com...

I, like many others, learned to weld with an old lincoln cracker box. (AC only machine) If you can learn to weld on ac, switching to dc is like a dream. DC gives a much smoother arc. Remember, on a/c current the arc is trying to extinquish itself 120 times a second (60hz). Thats one of the reasons w...

There is truth in welding hotter allows you to weld faster. BUT, if your not ready to move onto hotter and faster 8-) then work in your comfort zone until you feel ready to crank the machine up and move quicker. You may burn that joint out quicker but if you blow a hole and have to repair it, or get...

I love the good ole 5p+++++. run it any position under the sun, and a good whip technique can lay down some really slick lookin beads. Theres also somethin about the way that slag just peels itself off 7018s and 7024s that always makes me grin. On a/c 6011s are hard to beat. I personally don't give ...

There is nothing wrong with a bit of overkill...sometimes. Depends on whose money is buying the material and paying for the labor. I have no doubt that is one heavy sucker. Not knowing the exact design, you could build the frame of the gate with the 3/16 wall, and make the braces 11 ga. (roughly .12...

I am relatively new to this trade in comparison to many. Been welding for four years now. I have a rig together and have been doing any and all kinds of work I could get my hands on during high school and now I am currently getting an Associates degree for welding technology. Being young has definit...

The "keyhole" during welding a root pass is key to having a good sound root. no pun intended there. On pipe, depending on the fit up, it is possible to make a nice root without whipping much at all. Whipping too much can put excessive reinforcement on the backside of the root. Personally, ...