Ugly beads, critics welcome...

[Shield Arc]

was this kind of what you were talking about?

No, you want them to lap half way on top of the other bead.
Like this.

 

[GManBart]

No, you want them to lap half way on top of the other bead.
Like this.

Got it...that's what I was thinking of when I said I should have done it differently. Back to the shop I go!

 

[GManBart]

No, you want them to lap half way on top of the other bead.
Like this.

So I didn't have much time, but wanted to try a couple. 1-3 are 6011 while 4 and 5 are 7018. Any closer? I thought I had too much overlap on #1 so I tried to have less after that.

 

[Shield Arc]

Looking pretty good:thumbsup:. Now go all the way across the plate, (from one side to the other side). Then fill the whole plate up, stacking the beads half way on top of each other. That is called pad welding.

 

[GManBart]

Looking pretty good:thumbsup:. Now go all the way across the plate, (from one side to the other side). Then fill the whole plate up, stacking the beads half way on top of each other. That is called pad welding.

Got it! Looks like I'll have to buy more rod soon...that's a good thing

 

[GManBart]

I didn't have time to fill the entire plate, but got a bit more than half way. Some stops and starts, a few ugly spots (lots?) and went off the reservation a couple of times, but more than anything, I think I'm relaxing enough that I can think about rod angle and travel speed a bit more. I definitely need to sort out finishing the bead better, but I'll get to that....more YouTube I guess! This was all 6011 rod....started at the top and worked my way down. I think I did one thing smart...positioned a fan to blow the fumes and smoke away from me...much nicer!

 

[Shield Arc]

Overlap the beads more. Half way on top of the last bead.
When getting ready to stop, close up the arc length, and back up 1/4" to 3/8".

 

[GManBart]

Overlap the beads more. Half way on top of the last bead.
When getting ready to stop, close up the arc length, and back up 1/4" to 3/8".

Got it! Thx

 

[Shield Arc]

Sometimes when I get ready to stop, I'll close up the arc length, backup some, and make a small circle until the puddle fills up.

 

[Shield Arc]

Here is a picture of what I'm talking about. See how the stop / puddle is full? I made a few small circles until the puddle fills up.