Trying for a decent bead!!!!

[barracuda]

Dustendee these guys are right about more heat if my memory serves me right my high school welding Instructor said a good bead with the right heat would sound like a egg frying, so also listen to your arc & adjust your heat til you hear that sizzle.

[Dustendee]

Hmmmmmmm thats a great way to put it! Im gunna start listing for that sizzling sound thanks barracuda!cheficon

[Freddytk421]

practice on thinner metal until you get the big machine so you can know what it's like using the proper amps for the proper thickness. And don't buy the metal from homedepot. That stuff there is crazy expensive. use some from a scrap yard or some old junk for practice.

[Dustendee]

Yeah I got a break on a bunch of scrap from some old woman that was moving out and her ex husband was a welder even a 5/8 2.5' X 4' plate that I want to make a table out of. Are there links I can go to to find out how many amps to use for thickness of metal?

[arandall]

[quote=Hamstn;
Hard to explain but if your angle is correct you can sort of just let the rod burn down and it will move forward, leave a good bead with out moving side to side or forward and backwards.

I agree. Experts might disagree, but I've found with stick, if the material is clean, you have the right rod, and correct heat, after you have struck the arc, you can pretty much relax your hand and arm, and let the rod feed itself - assuming that both metals are the same thickness.

Cheers,
Art R.

[Dustendee]

I have recently tried this very method and I think your right, to much movement makes a "snake" and not enough heat can cause it to be to thin or to thick..................thanks for the advise Art!

[KHK]

Maybe this is to basic, the heat and metal will go in the direction that the rod is pointing.

[Gadget]

. Are there links I can go to to find out how many amps to use for thickness of metal?

Although it doesn't directly answer your questions his should Help.

[strube1369]

Thanks Gadget, this chart will be handy for alot of us!

[stevehayes758771]

ark welding is sort of my thing the 6013 is a good filler rod with deep penetration but never makes pretty welds try the 7018 1/8 lead the weld and use both hands one supporting the other so you get an even smooth motion. and are you ac or dc welding