Stick Welding Tips, Certification tests, machines, projects
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Hi guys,

I'm 45 years old, making a mid-life career change. I'm in my second month of a 2 year welding program at the local community college. I appreciate any hints or critiques of the work I'm going to post here. Thanks
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You'll have to get a little closer with the picture taking. Some of us old guys don't see as well as we use to. ;)
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No problem, I'll get in tight !
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prebres,
First welcome to the family from another Ohio native! Honestly, from my perspective it is looking good. To get picky I would say work on consistency first and it looks like there might be a hint of undercut in the first picture, not sure though. I believe you have it, more hood time and you will be showing us how it's done. ;)
-Jonathan
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We need some facts man!! :D

Metal thickness, size and kind of rod, amperage etc etc....
Just a couple welders and a couple of big hammers and torches.

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Thanks all for the help!

As for the specifics it's 1.5" mild steel angle, 1/8th 7018 @ 118amps using Lincoln Precision TIG 255. This is just fillet weld practice. Next I go to overhead....any suggestions? :D
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prebres wrote:Next I go to overhead....any suggestions? :D
Cover up! And keep a close arc length.
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Shield Arc wrote:
prebres wrote:Next I go to overhead....any suggestions? :D
Cover up! And keep a close arc length.
I SECOND THAT!!! :lol:

Seriously, though, for overhead I like about 5 more amps than I use for a vertical, a tight arc, and (where practical) about a 10-15* push angle.

Steve S
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I third that. LOL!

For me I always found overhead worked best with my rod at about a 5 degree push angle and keep the tip of the
rod pushed in tight. Almost feels like you are forcing the rod tip into the puddle. I always went for a tight, long
stringer bead. Hanging around in one spot too long and a longer arc will make your weld look lumpy like a bunch of
grapes.
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Well I finished my 2F. Now it's onto 4F. So here's my question to all of you experienced welders: Should I have my angle above my head? at eye level? throat lever? I'm all ears guys...


And thanks to Otto, Rake, ShieldArc, Akweldshop, and Superior for your comments and help!
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On the test/practice bench, I'd have the 4F about a foot above eye-level, so I can stand comfortably, and still tip my head back far enough to use my F$#E%^G bifocals... :roll:

Figure out for yourself what's comfortable. You can practice it in your head, or pantomime the movements, to get a feel for what height will work best.

Don't forget, when you're doing it "for real" on a job, you don't often get a choice, but in the practice cell, I suggest doing it as comfortably as possible. The fewer variables you practice with, the fewer things you have to sort through if you have a problem.

Steve S
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Been on overhead for 3 hours now. I may now be able to raise my hands to shave tonight and burnt a hole in bsx mug gloves. Back to the oven mitts for me. But hey, I'm all safeties up!
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Sadly, that's the nature of the beast...

Overhead welding means just that... All the crap that wants to splash or fall out of the weld? You're now under it.

After 30 years, my forearms are probably 10% scar tissue.

Steve S
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