Welding Tips and Tricks

You would think after all the Youtube videos I have been watching I could really lay out some beads on a piece of flat (padding I believe is the term) like a pro, NOT. Seriously I am a tig welder and seldom stick. That has to change. Spent several hours burning rods today. Started with 6011 3/32 rods beads looked like crap. So grabbed same size 6013 and dam now I looked like a semi pro. Played for a while with rod angles, again on flat nothing fancy. Not shabby, but still bead varied a bit in width. Went to my 7018 and as usual a bit of a bugger to start and restart but again very good looking bead, slag popped up. I tried from 70 to 80 to 85 and 90 amps. Keyholed the 1/8 inch plate with 85 and 90.

I really need practice. I used the drag method about 20 degree angle and made sure arc length was short.

I want to try a bevel root 1G style one day and see how that goes. I cannot expect to be any better without hours of burning rods.

Its much easier to burn 70xx than 60xx rods. If you're new to it, or "renewing" yourself to it, put down the 60s and focus on 70s. At 3/32 7018, I run them closer to 90 amps for good hot burn depending upon the material thickness. I don't keyhole the material, but I do keep a tight enough arc I can feel the base "gouge". At 1/8" material, you'll need to lower your amps for successive padding once the material heats up.

Stay with it Bruce, you'll be laying some nice beads before too long. It's been years since I've stick welded, where I worked (before retiring) they got a Millermatic and it really spoiled me. So I'll be getting back into stick as soon as I get an outlet ran for my Lincoln Idealarc. Looking forward to it too!

Good luck!