[bottchjr]

I am on the cusp of success, but there are a few challenges I could use help resolving.

1. The stinger snags my hood as I travel from the 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock and 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock positions. Do I just need to get used to seeing the puddle from a distance that will allow for clearance?

2. If my arc length is too tight, I have problems seeing where I am going out in front of the electrode. Would you foresee any problems with trying to keep a tight arc length, but not so tight that I can’t see where I am going?

3. Do you position the electrode in the stinger at a 45 degree angle for all interpass and cover pass welds? I have noticed it is a little difficult for me to adequately tie into the top bevel with the 45 degree angle.

Any other lesser known suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[DLewis0289]

Everyone has a "style". I am right handed most of the time so mine is like this.....I stand off in front of the pipe looking at it when I do the right side and put my rod just a little past 90 in the stinger and stand off to the side and just start with my palm facing up at the bottom and just roll my wrist as I come up and around. This is where I different a little bit from Jody. On the left side I stand on the left, my rod is straight up and I do a thumb/pinky prop starting a little past bottom to get my feathered out tack and collapse my thumb/pinky prop and get to the 9 O'clock. Then I stand on the back left of the pipe slightly and do it like I did on the right with the wrist just rolling around to the pipe.

And to REALLY confuse you, I reverse that procedure on a 6GR lol. Just dry run practice, move your head, get comfortable. One thing I like to use on pipe is my twist stinger so I can position my rod and it stays there. Just be careful on your stops and start tie-ins, stay out of the straps.

[Poland308]

You might just need to change or clean your cover lense more often to maintain a clear sight picture. Or if you have an auto dark hood that has a variable adjustment try tweeting it a bit less as your cover gets dirty. Angle wise I sometimes start with a rod that's only 1/2 as long as a full one. This allows you to move your hand less as you travel around yet still maintaining good angle.

[Bsmith]

What about the blue filter lenses? Would that help?

It really helps me see how big my arc is, and really just everything I can see better with it.

Its only 25 on eBay.

[DLewis0289]

I have always been a gold guy, but I am old never tried any others.

[Bsmith]

I have always been a gold guy, but I am old never tried any others.

You use it with gold or auto dark lense. Its just a filter that goes behind your gold. Its only 1/2 a shade.

[DLewis0289]

Didn't know that, I will pick one up for a try next time I'm in the LWS.