Advice on heat settings and Machine purchase

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I am taking a pipe test in 3 weeks, 2"XXH E6010 root, E7018 cap. Question #1 What should my amp/heat range of settings be on root and the cap. Question #2 I'm going to buy a machine off ebay or rent a machine to practice. Not sure if I would be okay with a Miller 150STH or Lincoln 160-T or basic Lincoln arc machine. Or if I should go straight for Miller Maxstar 200. My question here is, how much should spend or what level machine should I look at to make sure my practice is not lost in a crappy machine. Thanks in advance for your feedback!Also, Later I'll be taking a test with same pipe 2"XXH with GTAW Root ER70S-2 / SMAW Cap E7018 filler metal. Any recommendations on the setting?? 3/32 gap or 1/8 to be safe
Reply:It would help to know what diameter rod you're using. As for your choice of machines, you've got to watch those smaller inverters, they tend not to like 6010 rods. Pay attention to the description of the machines, if they don't boast 6010 capability, then they wont handle that rod. I'm pretty sure niether the Miller 150-sth or the Lincoln 160-t will tollerate 6010. I'm practicing on pipe myself. I bought the Thermal Arc 160. Easier to find, and a little beefier is the Thermal Arc 185. I personally find Thermal Arc machines to be just as nice as Miller or Lincoln, and usually cheaper.
Reply:Just get a lincoln buzzbox off craigslist. It should be under $200, last a lifetime and work well for that application. If you need rod let me know. I have several #50 boxes of 5P+ (6010) as well as 7018.
Reply:If you do get a Lincoln buzzbox, make sure it has the DC setting. Just runs nicer than an AConly machine.
Reply:3 weeks is not a long time to practice for a pipe welding certification test. I'm not sure what the requirements in the US are like, but they are pretty strict on weld quality here before they will issue a ticket. I would suggest saving your cash for the next round of testing and doing a pipe welding course. There is a lot to it, especially the root runs.Also try running your root pass on DC-, you get better penetration (but harder to run) because more arc heat is concentrated at the work, where DC+ has more heat at the electrode.Last edited by stamp; 02-19-2010 at 04:52 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Grimm1It would help to know what diameter rod you're using. As for your choice of machines, you've got to watch those smaller inverters, they tend not to like 6010 rods. Pay attention to the description of the machines, if they don't boast 6010 capability, then they wont handle that rod. I'm pretty sure niether the Miller 150-sth or the Lincoln 160-t will tollerate 6010. I'm practicing on pipe myself. I bought the Thermal Arc 160. Easier to find, and a little beefier is the Thermal Arc 185. I personally find Thermal Arc machines to be just as nice as Miller or Lincoln, and usually cheaper.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerJust get a lincoln buzzbox off craigslist. It should be under $200, last a lifetime and work well for that application. If you need rod let me know. I have several #50 boxes of 5P+ (6010) as well as 7018.
Reply:Originally Posted by stamp3 weeks is not a long time to practice for a pipe welding certification test. I'm not sure what the requirements in the US are like, but they are pretty strict on weld quality here before they will issue a ticket. I would suggest saving your cash for the next round of testing and doing a pipe welding course. There is a lot to it, especially the root runs.Also try running your root pass on DC-, you get better penetration (but harder to run) because more arc heat is concentrated at the work, where DC+ has more heat at the electrode.
Reply:For what organization are you taking a pipe test? Maybe I can help.UA Local 598
Reply:jacant you will find that even machines of the same make and model will vary a bit. its a case of getting to know your welder
Reply:jacant you will find that even machines of the same make and model will vary a bit. its a case of getting to know your welder
Reply:o.k. ... i'll ask it... what the hell are you doing taking a heavy-wall pipe test when you don't even know what to set the machine at?.. honestly.. practice?.. what?.. c'mon dude.. start slow.. get yourself an iron job first and learn how to weld.. welding pipe is waaaaayy different than welding structural steel.. so if you can't weld structural steel, you ain't gonna weld pipe... pipe incorporates your flat, overhead, vertical passes all in one pass.. with iron, you do one at a time.. so you can pretty much practice your verts.. your flats.. your overheads.. your heat settings.. even if you pass the test, when you get out in the field, you'll be so slow, the other dudes are gonna hafta' pick up your slack... and that's not counting you're welds busting out.. i think you're in over your head..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:Hang on, Ibanez, it could be an entry test to get into a union welding apprenticeship.UA Local 598
Reply:sorry man.. but this is basic stuff we're talkin about.. pipe is not basic.. iron is basic... union or not.. learn to weld at a level where you know your rods and heat.. you're waistin people's time.. and union or not.. time is money.. he won't last and just get discouraged.. just my opinion tho.. so.. grain of salt..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:For what organization are you taking a pipe test? Maybe I can help.The Pipefitters Union(UA), I am going to take the UA 21 (2"XXH Pipe E6010 root, E7018 Cap) and ask them if they will let me take the UA 22(Same pipe but Tig Root, Stick Cap). I'd like to go into the interview with those under my belt. I did go to pipe welding school for 22 weeks, 11 weeks Tig, 11 weeks Stick. My dilemma is the machines I went to school on were way hot. For example, I had the dial set at 48 for 6010 root, 7018 Cap on 6"Sch 40 Carbon Pipe. When I practiced on a NEW inverter based machine, I set the root about 78 and the cap about 88. It took me a while to dial those in. Too much time to do it in a test and get it done and right. My hope in asking the question was to find someone that has welded those tests and could give some guidance on where they had their heat set and if they have to adjust the more you weld into it.  The practice coupons are $13.00 each so you can burn through some cash fast just dialing in your heat. That's what I was trying to conserve. If you have any experience in those welds, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for your input.Jacant
Reply:Originally Posted by WHughesFor what organization are you taking a pipe test? Maybe I can help.
Reply:Originally Posted by jacantI am taking a pipe test in 3 weeks, 2"XXH E6010 root, E7018 cap. Question #1 What should my amp/heat range of settings be on root and the cap. Question #2 I'm going to buy a machine off ebay or rent a machine to practice. Not sure if I would be okay with a Miller 150STH or Lincoln 160-T or basic Lincoln arc machine. Or if I should go straight for Miller Maxstar 200. My question here is, how much should spend or what level machine should I look at to make sure my practice is not lost in a crappy machine. Thanks in advance for your feedback!Also, Later I'll be taking a test with same pipe 2"XXH with GTAW Root ER70S-2 / SMAW Cap E7018 filler metal. Any recommendations on the setting?? 3/32 gap or 1/8 to be safe
Reply:I am looking at one right now on ebay, thx