[xtal_01]

First, thanks for all the advice on my last post ... we are off and running!

Now my next problem ...

I am trying to weld a 4" long piece of 2 x 2 x 1/4" angle onto a piece of 3 x 3 sold square metal.

I am running a 1/8" 6011 rod very hot (150 amps).

The root pass did fairly well .... even the verticals ... not pretty but when I ground off (just to even it out ... take off the drips )the top it was solid.

Then I went to make a few more passes.

I have tried three times and three times I have gotten a great weld on the angle but the weld seems to bead up rather than penetrate the 3 x 3.

I am aiming the rod at a 45 ( splitting the 90 degree corner ) and moving it from side to side but still the weld seems to be drawing to the angle.

I realize the larger piece is a much better heat sink but I thought by drawing the arc back and forth I would get a decent weld.

Maybe I just have to aim the arc at the 3 x 3 and not the angle at all?

I thought about pre-heating but nothing I have will even get a piece of 3 x 3 hot.

Just trying to find out if there is some special "trick" I should be doing.

Thanks again ..... Mike

[MinnesotaDave]

On mismatched thicknesses I find I generally run the amps I need to weld the heavy piece and aim most of the arc at it, gently nudging the puddle over to the thinner piece and then proceed welding straight up with most of the arc directed at the heavy piece.

You will want to pre-heat the thick piece so it doesn't draw the heat out of the weld too fast and cause cracking.
Your aim is to slow the cooling rate.

This is a good resource for stick welding.
http://www.jflf.org/pdfs/papers/fabguide.pdf

A google search for "Fabricators' and Erectors' guide to Welded Steel Construction" will also yield the free download.

[xtal_01]

Thanks again for the advice!

I have never thought about welding 3" thick steel before.

That book is excellent.

I just could not position myself to get the rod away from the smaller piece. I ended up lifting the mast up from the pit ( just 12" deep but limited my movement ... I still have the chain falls attached ) and I was able to direct the arc away ( or maybe more correctly beside) the area I wanted to join.

Worked out well ... got three good passes onto it.

Thanks again !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

[Antorcha]

Weld a foot on the angle and drill and tap the 3".

[xtal_01]

In in retrospect, tapped (and maybe even pinned) holes would have been the best. Unfortunately, the mast is now in place and it would be impossible to do this without removing it from the elevator shaft .... which would be incredibly difficult. As this is in a house, placing the mast has all been done with manual labor (while trying not to do any damage to the house).

Live and learn!

Thanks ..... Mike