Do you V for butt welding 1/4" material?

[Shield Arc]

I don't have any pictures of how I like to prep my joints for open root welding. I do for Tig welding, but not stick. Here is a picture of how I like to prep for open root with backing plate, this is vertical up with 1/8 inch 7018. For open root stick welding plate or pipe, I like 37-degree bevel, with 1/16 inch gap using 1/8 inch rod. Now the land, (root face) depends on which brand of rod I'm using, it can vary from 1/16 to 3/32 inch.

 

[Shield Arc]

I did find these.

 

[Haywire]

Hehe.. my beveling involves eyeballing it with a 4" grinder. I gave it a whirl and did get closer to complete penetration but still not quite there. Needed a deeper V. Tried capping with 1/8 7014 but it piled up, should have used the smaller stuff or moved faster. I'm running out of scrap too. Need to make another run to the local welding shop, return this bunch of scrap and get some more.

Is there any disadvantage to using 7018 that hasn't been in an oven, or do you just lose the low hydrogen qualities?

Ian

 

[Shield Arc]

Is there any disadvantage to using 7018 that hasn't been in an oven, or do you just lose the low hydrogen qualities?

When you have time read this thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211904-7018-break-test.html

 

[Renze]

Joint prep, will make or break you! Even the best weldors in the world can only do so much with bad joint prep.

Amen to that

I keep saying that to my brother when he asks me to weld for him (i learned it from him as a kid) because his welds dont stick... especially in rusted or painted material, prep work makes the stick... If the rust is into the pores of the material, i certainly V it (mostly after tacking together i run the disk through the seam) because its harder to penetrate dirty material.

That said, i am pleased with the extra punch of my new 350A light industrial welder, over my previous 180A hobby machine... It sure does help to get penetration in thicker material.

 

[Haywire]

Thanks SA. First line of that thread told me what I needed to know.

Went and got some more metal and tried my hand at vert up. It went better than expected until I did a darn fool thing and flashed myself. Was using 7018, finished my weld, flipped up the helmet, and realized I had forgotten to flick the kernel off before it cooled. I looked right at it and tapped it on the vise --- that my ground clamp was attached to --- . Idiot.

Ian

 

[Shield Arc]

Remember now, 7018 will run oh so much better when kept at 250-degrees minimum.

 

[Haywire]

Now 5/32" 6011 at 150a almost (but not quite) penetrated without a V groove. Just a small gap of about 1/16. You can see the weld on the back side, but it's just a bit down in the crack.

Ian

 

[chad22]

until I did a darn fool thing and flashed myself. Was using 7018, finished my weld, flipped up the helmet, and realized I had forgotten to flick the kernel off before it cooled. I looked right at it and tapped it on the vise --- that my ground clamp was attached to --- . Idiot.

Ian

:laughing: I can laugh because I do that myself. :laughing: I also have grabbed hot metal without a glove after I got done welding. I've burned my hand many times doing that. Though not bad. :thumbsup:


I was welding my pivot for the swing on my backhoe and as soon as I got done welding it I grabbed it with bare hands (was gonna check fit) and I dropped it that instant.

I think I need someone to tell me no, that's not safe when I'm near hot things. (Like when I was little) I guess I never grew out of that stage. :laughing:

Chad

 

[Haywire]

No sandy eyes this morning, I guess I lucked out.

Ian