Ugly beads, critics welcome...

[GManBart]

Okay, so I've finally started learning to stick weld, and figured I'd give some of you a chuckle, or maybe you can make suggestions. I've spent maybe three hours putting down beads, so it's a huge understatement to say I have a lot to learn. The bottom six were with 1/8" E6011 set DCEP. The top five (six really because the second from bottom was two separate beads) were with 1/8" E7018, also DCEP. The plate is probably 3/8" thick and I'm not exactly sure of the amperage settings because of the way my welder is set up (Hobart Champion Elite). I was using the middle coarse range (70-150amps) and around 7 on the fine range for the 6011 and 8.5 with the 7018.

Too hot, too cold, traveling too fast/slow, long/short arc, etc...tell me what you see. I know the first bead I ran off the edge, most of the beads I ended without really filling in the puddle and I had a couple of stop/start gaps when I found myself out of position and had to shift position to keep moving. Anyway, have a laugh, or post your thoughts.

 

[murphy1244]

I ain't laughing, better than I can do!!

 

[ovrszd]

Rod control is paramount. Nice, slow, easy, sweeping swings of the rod is the secret to strength and beauty. A beautiful bead is generally a strong bead.

If possible spend some time with a friend that can weld. Put on a helmet and watch him/her. You will learn rod control quickly. With a short session of watching and asking questions you will speed up your learning curve dramatically.

Nice work!!!

 

[Shield Arc]

GManBart those don't look bad at all!:thumbsup: It's very hard to make welds look good on a flat plate. They will look better when doing lap, or fillet joints. But for now, start stacking the beads half way on top of each other. Then move on to lap, and fillet joints. Again very nice!

 

[ovrszd]

An hour with Shield Arc would be priceless.

 

[Shield Arc]

An hour with Shield Arc would be priceless.

My shop is always open to members here! Several members have been to my shop for help with their welding.

 

[murphy1244]

Road trip G-Man! Off to Washington with you.

 

[ovrszd]

It's not that far from MI to WA....... They are both Northern States......

 

[murphy1244]

It's not that far from MI to WA....... They are both Northern States......

Depends on the salt content.

 

[Shield Arc]

Road trip G-Man! Off to Washington with you.

From the look of those beads, I could have him welding like a pro within an hour!

 

[murphy1244]

From the look of those beads, I could have him welding like a pro within an hour!

I do believe that too..

 

[ovrszd]

From the look of those beads, I could have him welding like a pro within an hour!

I believe that!!!! Would take the most time teaching him heat ranges.

 

[Mysfyt]

You're off to a good start. I can tell you've got the 'eyes' for welding. Try using two hands when stick welding by using your free hand to brace the wrist of the hand that is holding the stinger. I think the results will be worthy of some more pictures.

 

[crackerjack222]

Shield, if you are ever in Texas, I could use a couple of months of your instruction......

 

[Shield Arc]

Shield, if you are ever in Texas, I could use a couple of months of your instruction......

Just my luck, I was born in Arkansas! Grew up in California, been in Washington for the last 38-years.

 

[GManBart]

Rod control is paramount. Nice, slow, easy, sweeping swings of the rod is the secret to strength and beauty. A beautiful bead is generally a strong bead.

If possible spend some time with a friend that can weld. Put on a helmet and watch him/her. You will learn rod control quickly. With a short session of watching and asking questions you will speed up your learning curve dramatically.

Nice work!!!

Thanks! My brother-in-law is a steam fitter, but he's 8 hours away. I've got one friend who's done a fair amount of welding, and I'm going to get him to run some beads while I watch, but I already bother him for lots of other stuff, so I'm not sure when it'll happen. He did give me the 101 on gas torch welding, and brazing, and I've been working on that as well.

 

[GManBart]

GManBart those don't look bad at all!:thumbsup: It's very hard to make welds look good on a flat plate. They will look better when doing lap, or fillet joints. But for now, start stacking the beads half way on top of each other. Then move on to lap, and fillet joints. Again very nice!

Thanks! I will start stacking beads

 

[GManBart]

Road trip G-Man! Off to Washington with you.

Well, I may be in the Portland area in September...so I guess it depends where in Washington

 

[Shield Arc]

Well, I may be in the Portland area in September...so I guess it depends where in Washington

2 1/2-hours north. About 15-minutes north west of Tacoma.

 

[GManBart]

2 1/2-hours north. About 15-minutes north west of Tacoma.

Well, if I get into the class (why I would be there) I'd already planned a trip to visit a college buddy in Snohomish

I spent some time putting beads on the edge of previous beads....was this kind of what you were talking about? There are a couple of stop and starts where I changed rods, etc, which I'm sure you can spot for what they are. From the bottom to the chalk line is 6011 and from the line to the top is 7018. If I were to do it again I would space out the beads farther and then lay the second bead more on top of the first, rather than fill the gaps....just what came to mind.