"Tapping" the rod

admin

I spent some time this week showing a neighbor how to strike an arc and run a bead. While showing him, I realized something I'm doing that I wasn't previously aware of. While welding, I will rhythmically touch the tip of the rod, or the flux anyway, to the work piece to recalibrate my arc length. So I'm basically feeding the rod into the piece 1/16" or 1/8" at a time, instead of a smooth motion.What's y'all's opinion of this? Sure, with a drag rod like 7014, that's probably fine, but what about other rods? Is this an acceptable technique, or is it a crutch that I should be trying to train out of?
Reply:I was taught to maintain a consistent arc length. I stuck with that. Shorting out the arc intentionally is not what I would advise.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonShorting out the arc intentionally is not what I would advise.
Reply:Well when I first started school my instructor told people if they didn't know how to run beads with 6010 to just tap the rod side to side because when you tap it you're depositing rod, he said that they would eventually develop a technique. Something to that effect."Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's Liberty, Teeth, and Keystone under Independence." - George Washington
Reply:So they just tap the little white rod side to side...Further proof of something I've long suspected after looking at welds over the years - blind people get taught to weld too!! If you don't believe me - check the welding fail thread! LOLhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...t=welding+failDave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Depends on the rod.  An F3 class rod you "tap" os "step" the rod if I understand you use of "tap". It should look like a dig and fill, back and forth, or whatever you want to call it when you manipulate your rod.  I have just laid the rod and not manipulate it and let the rod burn a key hole and fill.  With other class. Rods they have their own technique.