SMAW slag question

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Whenever I weld 6011 or 7018 (AC)sometimes the slag easily chips off, but most of the time it is a pain in the you know what. What are general causes of this, and the solutions?
Reply:I find that it doesn't chip off easily when the heat leveel is incorrect. On 7018, I usually add a bit more heat and it peels off on its own.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Certain brands of rods release the slag easier than others. I haven't used much 7018 AC rod but I do recall it was much harder to get the slag off. Joint and type of weld can affect slag removal as well . On 6010 or 6011 a real stiff wire brush works as good as anything.
Reply:Usually that's a good sign that your "settings" are incorrect. It might be amps, arc length, travel speed or rod angle, just to name a few. When you get all this right or reasonably close, the slag will typically come off easily.One of the things that causes slag to not come off is undercut or cold lap, usually caused by one of the above being wrong. Picts of both the beads you don't have trouble with, as well as picts of those you do, along with as much info as possible on your settings in both situations, would help us point you in the right direction and make some suggestions to help you improve..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Weld joint type and location can hinder slag removal as well. If your in a real tight area and don't have much room for electrode manipulation, slag removal will be difficult. Some electrodes release slag much better than others do.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Under cut can cause slay to not come off. word of advice, dont use 7018Ac. Find a good dc rod that can run on ac, I know very few 7018 that wont run on ac, I think Excalibur is one. I use Lincoln rods they run on ac just fine. Generally with most rods if the last doesn't come off add 10 or so amps, with 6011(I use 6010) I just either grind it down or hit it with a flat wire wheel.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies. I think I am not running enough amperage.Lincoln AC-225 90 amp flux core