Quickest way to butt weld 18 inch I beam??

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Let me start by saying i know there is no way to weld quickly, unless you want 18 inches of undercut..lol, but im being barked at constantly by the iron foreman and jobsite formen to just turn it up and burn, Im using a Lincoln classic 300D, using 1/8th inch rod 7018, there is a 3/8ths gap that turns into a 3/4 inch gap at the bottom, the flanges are 1 inch thick, the webbin 1/8th.  Attaching new structure to the existing.  I spent the last couple hours of today filling the gaps with 1/8th inch P5, "6010",  got to finish the bottom flange in the morning, seein as how the other side of the beam is bolted my plan was to just grind the 6010 down and cap it by tyin in two 1/2 inch weaves from the existing to the new medal. This is just to get it done and keep the threat of replacement from comming, ive seen three welders roll there leads up because of taking to much time.  Im trying to get another welders opinion on if its enough passes to do its job, As far as whats goin on the platform im not sure, i know the flooring will be grating,  If someone knows a better way i would gladly try it, The welds are not xrayed but my concious would begin to mess with me if i thought that it would crack out under a load, also this is the third lvl of the structure.Thank you..
Reply:Tell them if they want it done faster, fire the bad fitters.
Reply:Sounds like mig, with a ceramic backerWhen I worked at a water tower manufacturer, the "knuckle" (Between the pedestal and the bowl) was 1.25 " thick 30 degree bevel with anywhere between .5 to .75 gap.We would put a ceramic backer and about 5passes with .045 dual sheild
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Reply:Lokk em right in the eye and tell em your not gonna half *** it! There comes a time at every job (especially in my line of work, which is construction) that you have to let the man know your not above wooping his *** and you won't be bullied.
Reply:Originally Posted by pat8703Tell them if they want it done faster, fire the bad fitters.
Reply:Keep in mind that on some projects, there are "performance bonuses" that get paid to a specific contractor if they complete their work ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, those of us in the trenches get a whip cracked over our heads so the big guy in the office gets a bonus. If three other welders packed it in because they were taking too long, either they were not up to snuff or the boss is clueless. Personally, I would tell the boss that I'm going to do the job right or I'm not doing it at all.
Reply:Buy a can of Excalaber E-7028 jet rod 1/4", should be a BU-4 45 deg bevel 1/4 gap 3/8x1 back up bar for the flanges rat holed . Web 5/32 7018 vert up on a backup bar too . Time is money !!!
Reply:you need to put some kind of backing on that big of a gap, ceramic tape or a copper bar
Reply:Fireforge is right. It is not a good idea to let yourself be bullied for a halfassed job. At the end of the day you need to have pride in what you do. If ceramic or copper backing is available then good idea to use it. Ive had projects where the fit up was poor and I did the same thing you are doing.  If they need it done like that let the structure be somebody else's failure.
Reply:Read my post , prep the joint properly and weld with BIG rods , all you people playing with 3/32 and 1/8 would not work foe me . Iron workers and dock builders are the worst offenders to make a job last .My friend chuck started on a job and became the welding formen in 3 days doing 30 moment connections a day !!  Guys told him to slow down. He told them no , they were going to the hall , he was going to the next job. On the hub at the trade center one joint was welded for 3 months.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanRead my post , prep the joint properly and weld with BIG rods , all you people playing with 3/32 and 1/8 would not work foe me . Iron workers and dock builders are the worst offenders to make a job last .My friend chuck started on a job and became the welding formen in 3 days doing 30 moment connections a day !!  Guys told him to slow down. He told them no , they were going to the hall , he was going to the next job. On the hub at the trade center one joint was welded for 3 months.
Reply:Is that first post correct? The flange is 1" thick and the web is 1/8th? That can't be right...
Reply:Web 3/8 min , prep like I  said  . With SSFC NR-233  should be a 2 hr weld .  Another ironworker or dock builder tryin to make the job last !!!
Reply:Big rod is probably outside of procedure and/or shop supplied the rod.  No sense suggesting the same thing 10 times like its the end all be all solution when most likely its not in any way a controllable option.
Reply:I know when using wire, and running hot & heavy backing bars can be a big help to speed things up. You have to cut a bird's mouth in the web. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I like your style pavinsteelman. If it was up to structuresteel man and had the option to use heavy rod and backing bars great advice. If his company just handed him what ever rod then I guess it is just a make it work moment.
Reply:i appreiciate everyones advice, and who ever metioned the "meet the deadline, office chair guy gets a bonus comment is exactly correct..lol" it was explained to me yesterday. I wasnt able to use a backing bar, i was lucky enough to be able to grind most of the galvinized off.  Luckily i was in a hooch and the foreman couldnt see.  The reason for the gap from what i could tell is the new structure was @ an inch or so higher than the existing, The fitter only pulled the top measurment instead of top and bottom, which i cant blame him, he probaly thought everything was lvl. the only rods we got on the jobsite are 1/8th and 5/32 7018 and same for the 6010, I was told to weld it in a hurry so i did the best i could with what i had. i used 1/8th inch 6010 and lower amps to fill the gap, which took damn near 3 hours by its self..lol, grinded it down to shiny, filled and capped with 7018, 1/8th inch. alot of welders might disagree with it but the job got done in a timley manner and i still have a job..lol, which at the end of the day is a great feeling. i diddnt like it at first, the whole turn it up and burn process, but as long as you can control your puddle your welds still come out nice. Plus its an adrenaline rush when you got whitehats everywhere barkin, iron workers fittin and bangin and your there just turnin and burnin..lol, thanks again for the advice.