arc going out on root pass

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I am having trouble with my arc going out on my root pass.I can be welding just fine (the roots look really good)and all of a sudden it just stops.I don't think it is the machine(miller maxstar 300sd)because I have tried a different machine ...same result..I have tried putting the dig all the way up or down...no difference.I have it set on about 80 amps usually.Do you think maybe I should use a whip motion instead of just dragging the rod?
Reply:You will need to provide some more information... We still don't know if the arc is going out because the rod is getting stuck to the pipe... or because you are long arcing so much that it just goes out... or because the edges are so spread appart that you are loosing contact. Did you establish a pattern when it happens? Say it always happens when you are between 9-6, 9-12... or what? I am no pro at all, but even the pros will need a few more details.
Reply:Are you using 6010? My maxstar hates them. They go out like someone blew a match out  constantly.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeAre you using 6010? My maxstar hates them. They go out like someone blew a match out  constantly.
Reply:Hello Mikel 24..Yes for some reason it usually happens at about 5 oclock position doing a root downhill and with the rod a little under half gone.(6010).I have also seen it on flat root passes too.About 3/32 gap and land.I do not think its because I long arc because I put the rod against the gap touching both sides and just pull it down.
Reply:Hello Weldermike and Minnesotadave,Yes I am using 6010 downhill root pass.Yes kinda like a match going out .Welding nicely and then nothing.Not like the bit of a sputter and then start again like older welders I have used where you knew it was the machine.I did not think it was the machine because I  used a Miller Dynasty 300dx the other day and the same thing happened.
Reply:I wonder if your 6010 is too dry? Try dipping them in water, and let air dry for a day or two before using them again.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Hello Cep..Maybe but I just opened a new box the other day (Lincoln 5p+)thinking it might be the rod but the same thing happened.You mean dipping the whole rod in water?
Reply:My gut tells me you're running too cold, but that must not be the case for down hill welding.Generally when 6010 gets too dry it burns off to one side. I don't use enough 6010, so it drys out on me. Funny I know nothing seems to dry out here in the North West! Take a hand full of your 6010, lay it in the kitchen sink, run some water over them, and let air dry for a couple days, and see if it makes any difference. Word of caution, wait until your wife goes to town!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Thanks for the advice CEP .I don't think I am running to cold.Funny you should say burn to one side .The arc always seems to concentrate on one side a bit.I already have some rod drying..Oops thanks for theadvice on waiting till the wife is gone but saw it to late!!.Its going to be a cold night here in this doghouse ..the dog is whiny and smells bad.
Reply:if your running 80 amps with 1/8" rod I vote too cold.miller machines, I usually run my roots 87-92. seriously I bet it makes a difference. if you burn holes, just adjust your fitup to work for you, unless you wanna step down to 3/32" rods which aren't very funbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:again to cold.   Also I think I'd have a hard time positioning my body and head to have the right angle of view at 5 oclock down hill.    I'd probabaly have to take a yoga class first.   Because for me, I like to view from under the weld, because I can see whats going on better.   I like to have a little oscillation on my root, (clockwise).    But being not every fit up is the way you want, when it's tighter than I, I drag.   If it's happening at 5 oclock, it must be due to the angle of your view, or the molten slag is falling on top of your cold downhill weld.  The reason I don't drag, is when I was practicing for cert, after buffing out and bending my practice coupons, I saw how many little places I failed to tie in on the root, when it appeared that I was.   I think, if you want to continue the way your doing it, tighten your fit, and turn the amps up.
Reply:MILLER INVERTERS SUCK BALLS WITH 6010! THEY SNUFF OUT AND THAT IS IT! Ok I'm done but keep chiming in guys and really confuse the living piss out of the guy and make him sign up for a yoga class.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:You're too cold.  I usually have my pipe pro set around 90-95 amps for a 1/8 bead rod.  3/32 land sounds good but you may need a touch more space.  Millers eat those wide spaces up but struggle when it starts getting tight, this is light wall pipe?  If the rods just snuff out it also could be the rods but in my experience it's usually when they absorb too much moisture from the air, is this a can that's been open a while?  Bend a new rod in half slowly, the flux should snap crackle and pop clear off the rod.  Though I've never used a maxstarr or dynasty so I could be way off.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeMILLER INVERTERS SUCK BALLS WITH 6010! THEY SNUFF OUT AND THAT IS IT! Ok I'm done but keep chiming in guys and really confuse the living piss out of the guy and make him sign up for a yoga class.
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeI have not had this problem with the XMT series machines. They run 6010 well.
Reply:Hey thank you very much for your advice guys.Appreciate your time.So the shop where I practice stick welding ,the welders are set up for mig and tig but can all stick weld.The welders are as followsMiller maxstar 300sdMiller Dynasty 300 dxMiller Invision 354mp Older Esab svi300iWhich of the following would you guys think is best to practice with?Okay you guys know a lot more then I do but I doubt I am to cold.If I set the welder on 85 or more amps it blows through easy and the root is wide and no buildup inside the pipe.Comparing welding 7018 3/32 with it 75amps seems plenty hot for uphill.On welding flat 7018 will get red and start burning after a bit at 90amps.123WELD..You are right I do have a very difficult time seeing at 5 oclock.But what does a guy do?I do not quite understand what you mean VIEW FROM UNDER THE WELD.Are we still talking downhill root?I will try the circular motion.I am sure my angle is a bit off at 5 oclock but not to where it should stop.DONK I do not think the rods are old.I just bought a brand new box.Same results.If I bend them ,the crackling and the flux falls off around the bent area.Maybe I do need a wider space.WELDERMIKE thanks for your information on the Maxstars.Which one of the above welders would you use?Practicing 5g on 6" pipe.A bit over 1/4 wall thickness.What do you guys prefer for a land and root gap.
Reply:I can't say I've ever seen a Miller Maxstar 300sd, or a Miller Invision 354mp. One thing I can say, my Miller Dynasty 300 just plain sucks for SMAW. Great Tig welder, but Miller really dropped the ball with SMAW!I guess that leaves you with the ESAB svi300i, what ever that is! I'm beginning to think you have a welder problem more than anything else. For around $300.00 this is what my Everlast PA-200, and PA-300 can do with up hill root with 6010. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:CEP  Looks great man.Especially at 6 oclock.
Reply:Thank you Jake! I'm not a pipe welder, I' am a trigger pulling structural welder.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Hello CEP..Trigger pulling structural welder?I have a bunch of questions I will have to ask on that to.
Reply:@ snoepro - check.  My XMT304 is solid with 6010.  Had a few extinguished rods over the past 6 months.  Wouldn't want to rely on the "304" or "200DX" for rip'n 6010s  24x7.  No way.  Switching gears, the "304" brings the heat with 1/8" 7018 Lincoln Excaliburs @ 135-130A.  Attached images is a 7-bead fillet stack on a 12in section of 2" x 2" x 1/4" dirty/rusty HRS.  Note:  picture, as captured, needs 90deg CW rotation. Attached Images"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi