Welding Tips and Tricks

Just wondering if a grinder is absolutely needed to feather those tacks and restarts. Is there some way to successfully do this without feathering them? Thanks in advance.

Chadwarden.

6010 rod.

If there is excessive weld metal buildup at the extremities of the tack, then a quick hit of the grinder is recommended.

For a restart, the quicker the rod is changed and restarted, the better. This allows the restart to begin with the weld metal still hot. Normally it is not necessary to hit it with a grinder. When starting, it helps to preheat with a longer arc the weld metal, just before entering the keyhole.

Perhaps others have had different experiences.

Alexa

edit: There is also the need to consider the acceptance criteria. Some specifications and/or codes have a more stringent criteria. For example certain types of discontinuities, the API1104 use to have a more lax criteria than the ASME B31.3 piping code. If the amount of porosity that remains often at restarts is within the acceptance criteria, then some welders will choose to not hit it with a grinder before restarting to weld.

I prefer to feather the "start" side of my tack, as all the metal is cold when I begin, and while I'm at it, I'll lightly dress the tail of the tack just for insurance against inclusions. I prefer a 1/16" cut-off wheel for this work, so I don't affect the bevel or gap unneededly. I always dress starts, and sometimes stops, based more on "gut feeling" than any rhyme or reason.

Steve S