My 2nd Session Stick Welding Today

[RookieWelder]

I hear you about getting proficient just as the job ends! It's the story of my life...

I increased the amps to 120 yesterday, and got some marginally better results. I dropped the amps down to 115 and got about the same results as at 120. After burning about 10 or 15 rods, I started using up the 3 or 4 inch bits of rods I had left over for re-strike practice, and inadvertently raised up my drag angle (to maybe about 15 degrees down from vertical to the plate). Suddenly, I wasn't getting the sharp peaks on my welds - I started getting nice, round curves instead! I guess I had a combination of errors going on originally - too cold and too much drag angle (originally about 30 or 40 degrees from vertical).

My welds look kind of wide, though. They end up being about 1/2" wide. Is this too wide?

Another question - when I end a weld, I get a big old crater that seems to be about 1/8" deep (I'm practicing on 1/4" plate). Is there a technique that I can use to reduce the size of the crater?

I'm using 1/8" 6013 because I had come to understand that it's a pretty easy rod for a beginner to use for getting used to striking and maintaining an arc. I also have some 1/8" 7018, but I figured I'd try to get a bit more proficient with 6013 before I crack open the 7018.

Dwight

 

[k0ua]

Time to open up the 7018. You will like the results. 7018 has one problem.. It forms a "corn" or covering over the tip end of the rod after you cease welding.. Now you have a problem restriking the rod unless done if just a few seconds as it is still hot. There are several methods for dealing with this "corn" , but I just break it off with my heavily gloved thumb before I go to restrike the rod. Some use a rough file, some try to tap tap tap it off, Some sling the hot ball off before it completely cools (I don't recommend this one). But whatever method you use you will have to deal with it.

Try your 1/8 7018 at abound 120 to 125 amps. DCEP. All machines are different, so you will have to experiment a bit.. when you fire up the 7018, don't start to move immediately let the puddle grow a bit and the flux stabilize. Move slower than you think you should.. look at the results. Hold a tight arc. My guess is you will throw rocks at that 6013 when you start running beads with 7018. Let us know what you think.. and good luck.:thumbsup:

 

[CNC Dan]

I hear you about getting proficient just as the job ends! It's the story of my life...

I increased the amps to 120 yesterday, and got some marginally better results. I dropped the amps down to 115 and got about the same results as at 120. After burning about 10 or 15 rods, I started using up the 3 or 4 inch bits of rods I had left over for re-strike practice, and inadvertently raised up my drag angle (to maybe about 15 degrees down from vertical to the plate). Suddenly, I wasn't getting the sharp peaks on my welds - I started getting nice, round curves instead! I guess I had a combination of errors going on originally - too cold and too much drag angle (originally about 30 or 40 degrees from vertical).

My welds look kind of wide, though. They end up being about 1/2" wide. Is this too wide?

Another question - when I end a weld, I get a big old crater that seems to be about 1/8" deep (I'm practicing on 1/4" plate). Is there a technique that I can use to reduce the size of the crater?

I'm using 1/8" 6013 because I had come to understand that it's a pretty easy rod for a beginner to use for getting used to striking and maintaining an arc. I also have some 1/8" 7018, but I figured I'd try to get a bit more proficient with 6013 before I crack open the 7018.

Dwight

All the issues you have raised are covered in this video:
Arc Welding Lessons - YouTube

 

[RookieWelder]

All the issues you have raised are covered in this video:
Arc Welding Lessons - YouTube

That video definitely has a bunch of information in it - I just wish it got to the point more quickly.

I found this one to be an easier watch - and as a bonus, it is retro as all get out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4bGRqG4F4

Dwight

 

[chad22]

Time to open up the 7018. You will like the results. 7018 has one problem.. It forms a "corn" or covering over the tip end of the rod after you cease welding.

My guess is you will throw rocks at that 6013 when you start running beads with 7018. Let us know what you think.. and good luck.:thumbsup:

Yeah 7018 is my new favorite rod. I love it. The only thing I hate about it though is the corn like K0ua said. It makes it hard to restrike without removing that corn.

But overall it's a great rod.

 

[CNC Dan]

That video definitely has a bunch of information in it - I just wish it got to the point more quickly.

I found this one to be an easier watch - and as a bonus, it is retro as all get out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4bGRqG4F4

Dwight

Yup, those old ones are good too. The image is very clear. I wonder how they got such clear images back then. Must be the black and white film.