Welding Tips and Tricks

Ive been having trouble with the 5f Stainless Steel tube to plate weld test. I keep getting burnthrough and is very aggravating how can i prevent this and make it look decent?! ( 0.040 plate, and 1/2 diameter 0.035 tube )

You're saying the plate is over 3/8" thick(.400") and the tube has a .035" wall?

LtBadd wrote:You're saying the plate is over 3/8" thick(.400") and the tube has a .035" wall?

No, sorry about that! I fixed the post .040 plate .035 tube

I'm going to assume you can't weld this on a rotator, I would purge the inside, then its going to have to be a very tight arc. Practice is the only way to get there.

Will this get xray?

What dia. filler are you using? Hopefully it's .030"

If you make the fist pass a fusion weld to ensure penetration to the root, let cool then do the filler pass.

That's how I passed many such tests for GE and Pratt Whitney certs.

LtBadd wrote:I'm going to assume you can't weld this on a rotator, I would purge the inside, then its going to have to be a very tight arc. Practice is the only way to get there.

Will this get xray?

What dia. filler are you using? Hopefully it's .030"

If you make the fist pass a fusion weld to ensure penetration to the root, let cool then do the filler pass.

That's how I passed many such tests for GE and Pratt Whitney certs.

No xray, im using .020 thats what they are recommending for me to use I never have any issues with burnthrough with the fuse pass, but my cap will burnthrough in 2-3 tiny burn spots and I cant tell if its my stops or starts that burningthrough im at 22 amps and im dipping 3 times and stop but im still getting burn through.

Ok so just a few small areas of burn thru, you're close just keep going. Are you stopping so often because it's hard to feed the .020 wire?
I've used this for years, very handy for smaller diameter wire, those starts and stops are typically problem areas.

I have to stop so frequently to reposition its in a fixed 5f position in a fixture with a purge on the back as well on the inside of the tube. Plus the tube will get to hot if i dudnt stop and cool it with air. The test isnt allowed any burn through at all on the inside of the tube or the plate. Im not getting burnthrough on the plate, but the tube and I dont know how to prevent it ive tried to go fast, fix my torch angle, if I can know how to combat burnthrough on the tube i can fix my issue and pass its the only thing in my way!

I’m taking this test soon and was looking for any tips or tricks you guys would have to offer for me.