Today sucked

[deereman75]

Well after yesterdays welding went so well. (perfect smooth 7018 beads, slag falling off on its own..) I decided to try and get some nice t-welds done for some pictures. That didnt happen. Each time I layed a bead on a flat plate, it was perfect. Each time I tried to do a joint, it sucked. It had the worst arc blow I have ever seen, sometimes just the start of the weld, sometimes the whole way. I just couldnt make a joint. I tried many differnt settings, differnt arc force, 120-135 amps, nothing helped. It seemed even worse when I had it clamped in my vise, so I have a feeling its magnetic . But even on the table, I had the same issue. Also, while dropping the stub out, I some how managed to flash myself, so now my eyes are burning Then I decided I just wanted to have one go well before I went in, so I tried some 6013. That was ****. They wouldnt stay lit. I tried arc force from 0-10, and amperage from the recomended 70, to a blazing 130. (3/32 rod) Even with almost 2x the recomended amperage, and arc force cranked up all the way, it wouldnt stay lit. It would weld 1/2 and inch then stick, and had horrible arc blow. I almost pitched the whole box in the trash. Hopefuly things will start going as well as yesterday again, because this sucked. I can see I am starting ranting and rambling, so I think I will stop my self here. Any tips for fix these issues?

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Just a wild guess, are you having a problem with your ground connection?

 

[deereman75]

Just a wild guess, are you having a problem with your ground connection?

I dont think so, I had the copper of the ground clamp on bare steel on the part I was welding.

 

[Shield Arc]

Some things to try, place your ground clamp at one end of your plates, and weld towards the ground clamp. If that doesn't work try heating your plates to a cherry red color, and let them cool. If you do not have a torch, break your plates apart, lay them on a table / floor and smack them with a sledge hammer.

 

[deereman75]

Some things to try, place your ground clamp at one end of your plates, and weld towards the ground clamp. If that doesn't work try heating your plates to a cherry red color, and let them cool. If you do not have a torch, break your plates apart, lay them on a table / floor and smack them with a sledge hammer.

You know, now that you mention it the arc blow was a lot better when I tried welding the other way. When I get the O/A tanks filled, I will have to try heating it up. Until then, I have a few big hammers.

 

[Shield Arc]

I spent most of my life fighting arc blow. Generally moving the ground clamp, or wrapping the ground lead around the material will work. Next best thing is heat to cherry red. If you use the hammer trick, don't be gentle, really smack them hard! Or break out that AC welder, and run a small bead with 6011.

 

[deereman75]

If I keep having the issue, I will have to try the tomb stone. I just read a good article from lincoln, that talked about arc blow. It seems I had back blow. Tomorrow (or later tonight) I will try putting the ground clamp on the other end. The other odd part was if I weld a t joint, it has the arc blow, but if I lay a bead on the plate right next to the joint, it is fine. Does that make any sense?

 

[Shield Arc]

The other odd part was if I weld a t joint, it has the arc blow, but if I lay a bead on the plate right next to the joint, it is fine. Does that make any sense?

No it doesn't! If you were welding vertical up on your fillets, I've seen arc blow a lot of times in the last inch or so. Sometimes you can counter it with rod angle, other times you need to place the ground clamp at the top of the plates, and weld towards the ground clamp. But not being there it is really hard for me to understand exactly what is going on.

 

[blunosr]

Are you running DC? Maybe try reversing the polarity...

Just guessing...

Good luck with it.

Troy

 

[deereman75]

Are you running DC? Maybe try reversing the polarity...

Just guessing...

Good luck with it.

Troy

Nah I am running dcep. I checked in my pocket ref, and it seems that the issue with 6013 could be that it runs best on dcen.