New to welding

[BMan2005]

I've only been stick welding a couple years so I am pretty new and I remember the problems I had starting an arc. For me there were two things I could do to make it easier. Turn up the amperage for practice to get the feel and relieve frustration. Then try turning it down to measure your improvement.

Now if I need to use very low amps I find starting the arc with the rod tipped at a very steep angle so I use the coating as a spacer so to speak really helps. Soon as the arc starts tip the rod up where you want it.

But practice is the best thing to do.

gg

This was great and really helped!

 

[BMan2005]

Shield Arc I may have had the plug wrong, but I got a chance to practice tonight and made sure the leads were correct. With the above advice by Gordon I tilted my rod my and faintly dragged it and started my arcs much easier tonight! Here are some 6011 & 7014 practice runs flat, 6011 with the stacked look. You pros I'm sure knew that. Also after more practice with 7014 I ran two last beads then quit for the night. I think they looked my best for the 7014.

But, what do you guys see here to help me out!

 

[Shield Arc]

WOW! Those look really good!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Now do it like when you're in welding school. Stack each weld half way on top of the other! Do this for a while, then move on to lap welds, and fillet welds.

 

[BMan2005]

That's really good to hear that they look ok! Should I just stick with one rod type for awhile? Or maybe do each like I have, alot of welds with each.?

Also, I ran the 1/8" 7014 from 80-120. The arc was steady but weak at 80 and weld seemed shallow, 100-110 seemed to be kinda a sweet spot, but much more spatter. 80 amps was the last two welds. Does it matter? Also this is 3/16" steel I believe.

 

[Shield Arc]

Should I just stick with one rod type for awhile?

Back in welding school, we started out with 6010. Ran 6010 in all positions. Then moved on to 7018. 6010 / 6011 will teach you puddle control. And help you learn how to read the puddle. 7018, and 7014 is childs play to run, compared to 6010 or 6011.

 

[tophoseman35]

lincoln 225 stick is what i just bought. I have just started back welding since a little time after high school. i have buddies that have always welded and that was the suggestions if i didnt want to go with wire.

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh, I forgot. Get a 5-gallon bucket of water. Make 2 or 3 welds, then dip the plate into the water to cool the plate off. When the plate builds up too much heat it is hard to control the weld.

 

[BMan2005]

How do these look? 6011 75 amps running the full rod, so I had several stop/starts. Criticism welcome on anything

 

[Shield Arc]

Those look great! :thumbsup:
Next I would buy some 1/4-inch thick flatbar, and practice welding lap joints, and fillet weld joints. After that, start working on vertical up hill welding. Then overhead welding.

 

[BMan2005]

So this looks good enough to progress forward to that?

 

[Shield Arc]

So this looks good enough to progress forward to that?

YES!
I don't believe in pad welding a lot. Lap welds, and fillet welds, then maybe later V-groove welds will teach you more about welding.

 

[BMan2005]

Ok cool! I have alot of 5/16 or 3/8 flat stock that was given to me and what I've been using so far. Can I use that instead of 1/4" for now since it's free and on hand?

 

[Shield Arc]

Can I use that instead of 1/4" for now since it's free and on hand?

You bet! Hard to beat free!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

How do these look? 6011 75 amps running the full rod, so I had several stop/starts. Criticism welcome on anything

Nicely done - excellent practicing

When students get that far they are definitely moved on to lap welds and fillet welds.

 

[4570Man]

When doing a vertical weld are you supposed to start at the top or bottom? My success rate is way better running top to bottom but I was pretty sure that's wrong.

 

[BMan2005]

Did my first repair last night on my utility trailer. Three places were cracked or completely broken. Most everything was flat position, but with the welds curving or cornering on two of the repairs it felt completely foreign changing my weld in flight. They will hold I believe, but didn't feel comfortable or as nice as I want them to be. So yeah, as I knew already lots more practice needed before I tackle other stuff. Just sharing

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

When doing a vertical weld are you supposed to start at the top or bottom? My success rate is way better running top to bottom but I was pretty sure that's wrong.

Depends on the rod and what you're trying to do.
6010, 6011, 6013, 7014 all run pretty well vertical down.
7018 vertical up.

I run vertical down on thin material (under 1/4") if I'm using stick pretty often.

Even on thicker material I'll run first pass down if there's a gap, or it's hard to reach, or I'm uncomfortable and can't see good, etc.

6010 and 6011 are great for this
Run in the upper amp ranges for the rod, point the rod up far enough to keep slag at bay.

 

[BMan2005]

I had enough time to get 6 lap welds for practice tonight. This was the last 3, and better than the first. Not near as easy as flat on a piece of metal. School me!

 

[Shield Arc]

Not bad at all. It will take some time to get the perfect stack of dimes.
Little trick for you. When you get ready to stop, back up just a touch, and push the rod into the puddle some. This will help fill in the crater. An under filled crater is where a crack will start.

 

[Big Barn]

I think I need to download the Shield Arc "app".