Ugly beads, critics welcome...

[Cord]

Back when I was taking a class in high skool, we had a rig where we'd bend our welds. It was interesting because you'd have the perfect looking weld, but it would crack when bent. The test piece was two 1/4x2" bars with a butt weld. You'd put the weld, facing up over a bottle jack that had two rollers a couple of inches apart. You work the jack and it would bend the bar into a U between the rollers. I referred to it as the "torture rack".

 

[Shield Arc]

We use to call them the heart break machine. :laughing:

 

[jack707]

Polished those up nice

 

[GManBart]

Back when I was taking a class in high skool, we had a rig where we'd bend our welds. It was interesting because you'd have the perfect looking weld, but it would crack when bent. The test piece was two 1/4x2" bars with a butt weld. You'd put the weld, facing up over a bottle jack that had two rollers a couple of inches apart. You work the jack and it would bend the bar into a U between the rollers. I referred to it as the "torture rack".

I'm going to buy or build a shop press, and plan to do some torture testing of my own!

 

[GManBart]

Polished those up nice

Thanks! That was with about 15 minutes more practice, but I was able to stop by the steel supply place and buy 65lbs of drops (only $10) yesterday, so I can get back to practicing soon!

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm going to buy or build a shop press, and plan to do some torture testing of my own!

If you want to build a coupon bender, here is a print.

 

[GManBart]

So, I'm finally reasonably comfortable with vertical up, and decided it was time to work on overhead welding with 7018.

I read a short description by Jody at Welding Tips and Tricks and jumped right into it. I spent about half an hour and the pic below was my last, and best, bead. I played around with the heat a bit and felt okay with that, but really need practice getting into a comfortable, stable position. Lots of work needed, but I think this would stick together reasonably well.

 

[Shield Arc]

Not bad at all!:thumbsup: What you need to work on with over head. Take a flat plate and pad weld it. Go left to right. Right to left. Weld towards you, And weld away from you.
Welding away from you is a little hard to do, because the puddle blocks your view. So you really have to pay attention to your travel speed.

 

[k0ua]

So, I'm finally reasonably comfortable with vertical up, and decided it was time to work on overhead welding with 7018.

I read a short description by Jody at Welding Tips and Tricks and jumped right into it. I spent about half an hour and the pic below was my last, and best, bead. I played around with the heat a bit and felt okay with that, but really need practice getting into a comfortable, stable position. Lots of work needed, but I think this would stick together reasonably well.

I would be very proud of that.

 

[4570Man]

That's overhead? I wouldn't be ashamed of that even if it was in ideal conditions.

 

[GManBart]

Not bad at all!:thumbsup: What you need to work on with over head. Take a flat plate and pad weld it. Go left to right. Right to left. Weld towards you, And weld away from you.
Welding away from you is a little hard to do, because the puddle blocks your view. So you really have to pay attention to your travel speed.

Got it...thanks!

I know I need to learn how to be stable in odd positions, but I think I'm going to make an extension so I can stand upright while I practice overhead.

I've also started trying to change other variables like working with fairly thin metal (down to about 12ga so far) in the various positions, but I haven't done a good job of keeping up with this thread!

 

[GManBart]

I would be very proud of that.

Thanks!

 

[GManBart]

That's overhead? I wouldn't be ashamed of that even if it was in ideal conditions.

Thank you....you guys are too kind, but I'll take it.

 

[George2615]

You've come a long way since you first started. I've been hobby welding over 40 years and built quite a few projects but have never done or had to do any overhead. Very nice looking welds.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks George!


I had enough time today to tack up a plate on some square tubing so I can weld overhead while standing normally. I ran four beads to start a pad as SA suggested. As you look at this they were right to left, but we're actually done left to right. This will take some practice!

 

[George2615]

What amperage and rod are you using.

 

[GManBart]

What amperage and rod are you using.

Lincoln Excalibur 7018 1/8" and about 125 amps.

 

[Shield Arc]

This will take some practice!

That looks very good! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
It is hard to make a weld look good on a flat plate! You are doing really well with your welding!

 

[GManBart]

That looks very good! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
It is hard to make a weld look good on a flat plate! You are doing really well with your welding!

Thanks!

I ran a few more beads today, and was getting a pretty good curve in the line, so I stopped, drew a line with chalk, and ran another four beads just now. I also learned that if you don't keep a bit of rod angle at the end, the slag can fall on the rod and put out the arc....did that about three times before I got the message That's why you'll see the poor finish with undercut (left side of the picture). I was running these all left to right, so I think I'm going to try right to left next.

 

[GManBart]

I haven't had much time to weld lately, but there is a new addition to the welder family in my shop. The Everlast PowerArc 200ST went back, and this came in: