Flaw in a weld

admin

I was watching the slag on a weld cool today after finishing a weld and saw something interesting:  a small piece of...something...floated to the top of the slag and left a defect in the weld when I chipped off the slag.The area where I placed the weld was clear of other slag from previous welds.  There was a defect in the area where I saw the spot come to the surface when I chipped off the slag.  Any ideas on what I was seeing?
Reply:What rod were you using? Usually some sort of residue, maybe oil.
Reply:Any chance you can take a pic?Thermal Arc 210 FabricatorHypertherm PM 45and lots of other tools the wife doesn't know about
Reply:3/32" 6013 at about 75 amps.  Sorry, I didn't think to take a picture of it.  I think I might have moved the rod a little backwards in the puddle or let the puddle get ahead of the rod.
Reply:Porosity?Miller bobcat 225g  - spoolmatic 1Mm250 - 30a spoolMiller spectrum 375Thermal arc 95 Everlast Ex 250As the boiler turns, these are the days of our lives
Reply:Could it have been a typical "6013 worm hole?"  (Aka: porosity, slag inclusion?)  This is why I hate 6013.  Yes I use it, but only when I'm out of 7014.   Whatever you need 6013 for, 7014 is simply better in it's place.   Easier to run, very smooth weld bead, great on thinner metals, doesn't leave the "worm holes" like 6013 does and finally, 70,000 psi tensile strength, vs the 60,000 of 6013.  Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I find it interesting that you mention the '6013 worm hole" because many of my practice beads have a small hole right at the end of them.  I passed it off as the way I terminate the bead.
Reply:you need to hold a little longer at the end of your weld to fill in the crater at the end of your bead.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqyou need to hold a little longer at the end of your weld to fill in the crater at the end of your bead.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI like to finish off with a small circular motion at the end, no wider the diameter of two electrode rods together.  I've also discovered through trial and error that the "worm holes" for 6013 seem to form if I release my "tight" arc.   Basically long arcing a 6013 and there goes an instant slag inclusion.  6013 welds do look beautiful, but man is that a finicky and unforgiving rod.   Not so with 7014.