Filling with arc welding, Secure?

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Hey all, Im an arc welder that has some experience. I took some classes and got my degree. I have an AC 225 lincoln electric and I love it. However about 1 month ago I was welding for some friends of mine. We were 2 guys welding. The other guy had 25 years of arc welding and knew a lot. I didnt see but a friend of mine told me that he was holding another electrode with the left hand and he was filling holes using both the one with current and the other electrode ( I think  he took off the core). My question is, Is it safe to do it? I also oxy-acetilene weld and I know how to do it, but oxy acetilene do not has current on it. Is it ok to be filling with another electrode? Is it safe to do it holding it with my bare hands? maybe some electrical gloves? on my short welder life I never saw something like that and I think it rules! thanks guys!
Reply:You're good to go there. Absolute worst case would be if it was wet weather and you and your work piece were wet and you leaned a bare arm against it. You'd get a buzz or tingle depending on body chemistry and tolerance level to shock. No death rays. 70 volts max. The fact that you have an arc going says that the electrode is the preferential path.
Reply:so is it safe? Do I use another electrode to fill, with or without core? Can I use filler metal from oxy-acetilene welding? (mild steel with copper core)
Reply:Originally Posted by elvergonso is it safe? Do I use another electrode to fill, with or without core? Can I use filler metal from oxy-acetilene welding? (mild steel with copper core)
Reply:ok now I get it =)thank you very much, the deal here is when for example I notch tubes with the grinder and I have some space left. If I Arc weld it, probably it would eat the tube so thats why I need to fill so I wont "eat" the tube. I would use root pass with 6010 and over pass with 7018 with good fusion. Yesterday I was practicing on some 3/4" .125 tube, I was doing 105 amps with 6013, how does this sounds like?
Reply:Sounds like you've got it figured out. If that was 1/8th 6013 then 105 for .125 and up to 130 for thicker sounds about right. Ya know if all your tubing is .120 ish and new I don't know that I'd mess with 6010, 7018 is good. Actually I think you said you had an AC stick. For that 6011 is the substitute for 6010 and they also make a 7018AC just for the AC machines.  Just FYI, you prolly knew this already.
Reply:yah i knew about the 7018. However a lot of guys told me to go 6010 root and 7018, do you think that is unnecesary?
Reply:Well 6011 is the AC version of 6010 so you could still apply the same procedure if you wanted to. In the other hand if you are getting perfectly acceptable results with 6010 then why change?? As to whether you really need to root with one rod and then fill or cap with another type is a different issue altogether. Lot of variables involved. For around the farm applications it generally isn't necessary. A for instance would be if you were just putting two pieces of pipe/tube together for a bumper. With the right fit up, 7018 all the way. Don't get me wrong. 6010/6011 is great stuff and so is 7018. There's just no need to over complicate the process unless there is a need to.
Reply:ElvergonI would agree with Sandy,  most general welding doesn't require a root and cap.  Don't be afraid to change the amp, sounds like you may be too hot, if your having trouble filling holes in 1/8.  Those "suggested" current settings are for proper fit up.  105 amps on  your machine may not actually be 105 amps.  Depending on where you are welding input current to your machine may vary.  Proper fit up and jigging are important steps towards eliminating gaps, time spent welding and cleaning.  Bottom line it decreases the time between starting a job and getting paid.  There is a free download call winmiter. Type winmiter in google.  The program allows you to enter tubing dimensions and angle of intersections, then it will give you a pattern to print and wrap around your tube/pipe for proper mitering.  I use a Lowbuck tube/pipe notcher.
Reply:thanks for the insight tapwelder....elvergon, in this welding world theres alot of stuff out there.  Some is right some is wrong.  A lot just depends on the situation.  the whole use of 6010/7018 is a pipewelding, mostly only in plant too, thing.  If theres an open root you geneerally cant run 7018 do to lack of shielding from the root side.  6010/11 has no trouble with this as it shileds diffently. Anyway, just keep doing what your doing, keep an open mind, but always think about wat your doing.  Dont beleive everything you hear, but dont disregard it soley cause its new.  Good luck CHRIS