Q about controlling heat, and Q about quenching

admin

So as I practice I have a couple things that are bothering me.  This applies to stick and OA mostly.  As I'm welding along, especially getting close to the end of the a coupon, the heat really starts building up and more difficult to control.  Should I stop, let it cool and restart or should I just speed up and learn to move quicker?Second question is about testing my OA welds on thin sheet metal, say 1/8".  After I've welded a couple coupons together, I am having trouble with the weld failing when I put it in a vise and test it with pliers.  I'm wondering if quenching the piece after welding it is making a brittle, weak weld that fails easily as compared to the rest of the sheet?I will try to post some pictures of the welds when I do up some more.  I think I've got good penetration and filler metal, but maybe the bottom edges aren't quite fused and I just suck  (feel free to confirm that  )Thanks
Reply:You could try less heat input to keep the weld from being too hot toward the end.  A picture would help.Don't quench your welds.  It could change the structure of the steel and make it brittle depending on the type of steel.Dan