Pictures of my first welds!

[jeremyferg]

This is the result of 4 rods of 1/8 6011 on some 1/4 steel. For size reference, the piece is 6" wide. I just quickly went over them with a knotted brush on my grinder. I realize they aren't completely clean. Before I ran the beads I did go over the steel with a flap disc and got it mostly clean. The top bead was my last rod and I had it set at 90 amps. The second from bottom with the large crater at the end was set at 105 amps. The second picture is a closer up of the top bead. Please critique.

[triggerman]

My welding teacher said.........

..........."Learn to run those beads at 70-75 amps. It will make you a better welder when you crank it up later."

Sit down, crank the amps down and slow down.

1) Get yourself in a comfortable position. Don't start welding until you can comfortably complete the weld. If you can't complete it without moving, know in advance where you are going to stop. There will be plenty of occasions when you will be welding out of position and unable to get comfortable. Make it a habit NOW.

2) By dropping the amps, you will a- develop a better/more consistent starting technique, b- have more time to concentrate on watching the puddle (when your eyes wander over to the arc, you will have done less damage to your beautiful weld bead by the time your attention returns to the puddle), c- running lower amps forces you to develop techniques that promote penetration instead of relying totally on amps and d- less amps creates less crystallization in the HAZ (Heat affected zone) and makes for stronger welds.

3) Slow down. That rod will only burn as fast as it will burn.

Other than that, your beads look much better than my first. Good luck and keep the pics coming.

[jeremyferg]

Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely try some at lower amps. I guess I should add that it was DCEP using a Maxstar 150s.

[migman69]

id offer some advice i too am a novice at welding i only been doing it for two weeks now, But at school we run 7018 rods, with that series rod you have to crank the heat up alot like in the 120 range i get pretty good results but like i said thats with 7018, do not try to run that much heat on the rod your using it will catch fire trust me i know by experience.

[triggerman]

Meanwhile in another part of town........

When you get ready to cap that 1/8" 6011, switch to a 3/32" 7018, leave all your machine settings exactly where they are and run your cap. All the same rules apply from the above post.