Having trouble with 3GF.

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as i stated before i am a student welder in a 2 year course.........my trouble is that i am trying to weld a 3 GF of 3/8 x4x6 inch plate with a 1/2 in root gap welded to a backer........now for the problem...........when i weld the fillet i have no problem with penitration but when i weld the beviled side , i keep getting a deep valley between the two beads and when i weave i seem to lose my penitration on the beveled side.........p.s.   1/8 7018 all the way.
Reply:oh ya ........and if i weave to much i get a ton of heat near the top......welding at about 95-100 amps
Reply:..............................?,,,,,,,,,,,and still nobody will help.........?
Reply:Is the valley you are talking about getting filled with slag inclusions that are really hard to get out?  I have seen this when the weld is being contaminated with oils and rust.  Is it like you are jumping from one side of the gap to the other, without dragging the arc across.  I generally clean a bit more and use a deeper U shaped weave.  I am not sure I am getting the whole situation here.  If you could take some pictures, the problem might be readily apparent.Last edited by smithboy; 02-12-2006 at 01:02 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:but when i weld the beviled side , i keep getting a deep valley between the two beads and when i weave i seem to lose my penitration on the beveled side.........p.s. 1/8 7018 all the way.
Reply:Like Sandy said, thats a little cool  for that size rod. Also, when you go from side to side, dont just flick the rod tip back and forth. You need to move your hands and arms so you get the rod aiming more at the side, instead of the arc burning out from the side of the rod. Picture a pivot point about an inch or two from your  weld and try to pivot around that. Is that making any sense?....Hope it helps.
Reply:ok i am pretty sure what you mean and will give it a try on monday .......i just got a digital camera and will try to take some pics of set up and progress .....thanks all....james
Reply:I don't have my code with me but half inch opening sounds wide.  If you look closely at the requirements the root gap changes on your weld coupons according to position.  It is worth a double check.
Reply:When you drove your first car/truck did you do it by yourself ?I don't mean to upset anyone, but welding is a trade that needs to be shown to the apprentice from the journeymanThanksLast edited by MetalSculptor; 02-12-2006 at 08:33 PM.
Reply:When I drove my first vehical, I did  it myself on my own.  If they didn't like it, they should have stayed off the dang sidewalk.
Reply:MetalSculptor, perhaps you can post a pic or give a little advice that might be helpful to someone instead of opening this same line of bull****? All you've been so far is talktalktalk---------
Reply:c.w.b. coupons are all 1/2 in except for horizontal.............which is 5/16...............got to do what they tell me to do...........
Reply:winter freak   (3gf) is this  vertical q2 plate?It's good enough for the girls i run with
Reply:I looked up the root opening and 1/2 is correct for SMAW.  Keep in mind also that you do not have to put in a large bead.  Usually the maximum is 8mm ( 5/16 )   I know many people think they have to put in a 8mm fillet but it will still pass if that first fillet is only 6mm.  The size of your first fillet will determine how much room you have in the bottom of your joint to tie the first fillet with the toe of the bevel.  After that first weld you want to keep things a flat as possible!!!
Reply:winter freak ..seems you might be a bit cold and slow..your running with a backing strap in the 3g position right? are you getting any arc blow?? if so, at the top?..try tacking a bend sample to the top of the plate and it will help out and run your ground to it..Owner - Certified Welding & Fabrication / 22yrs in businessSteamboat Springs, Co(970) 879-5491AWS structural shopHMI 70t iron worker2 field trucks specailizing in structural steel, aluminum and stainless steel
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalSculptorWhen you drove your first car/truck did you do it by yourself ?I don't mean to upset anyone, but welding is a trade that needs to be shown to the apprentice from the journeymanThanks
Reply:i cranked the welder to 110 amps and increased my travel speed and my bead is small and permits me to put a 3rd bead between them i just hope this won't effect my pena.tration
Reply:That is the best thing to do IMHO. Are you using run-off tabs? Those will help with the too hot at the top problem.
Reply:yes i am running tabs about 1" at each end so i can run off the piece.