Maintaining Weld Size

admin

New to the forum and finding a lot of good info. Anyhow, was wondering what the proper way to layout a correct size weld bead is. For instance, if you have to weld a 1/2" fillet weld do you use a scale and soapstone to maintain your 1/2" size? What about maintaining throat depth (other than practice)? I've never really had good luck seeing soapstone while welding so i wasn't sure if that is right. Any thoughts or suggestions on the topic? I'm going to be taking a structural certification test and thought this may come into play. Thanks for insight.
Reply:It is experience.
Reply:Experience will teach you this, as said. Experience will teach you when you need a 6mm, 8mm or 10mm weld, how fast you travel for the size of rod your using in a 3 pass weld.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:You need to get a set of these. 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 figured that you can't beat experience. I was just hoping there might be a "trick of the trade".
Reply:Nope its experience 100%, its not something you can explain easily, but just by example  you yourself will know the size of the bead or fillet your doing, Having a filet gauge helps, but generally experienced welders know for sure the size of fillet they weld
Reply:Personally I think if you buy a set of fillet weld gauges. Then say run a 1/4” bead. Put the gauge on it. See how you did. Make adjustments, until you nail the size of weld. Once you get the size down. Then do a thousand of them to burn it in your mind. Then move on to 5/16” fillet weld, etc, etc, etc! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:The fillet gauges will get you started. It doesn't take long to get the feel for it after the gauges set you straight.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:As a rule of thumb, at least in the type of stuff I do.....think about how thick the material is that you're welding.  Whether it's a one sided fillet, or a fillet on both sides of the piece.  Then ask yourself how thick the throat should be.  Usually the throat/combined throats is good if it's the same thickness, or a bit larger, as the material you're welding.Rod size limits the size too.  A given rod diameter will have its limits.  Can't make too big a weld with a smallish rod, you don't get good heat at the root if you try to spread a bead too far."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/