Over head welding

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I quit my job that was very highly stressfull back in may, and started taking on few welding jobs. I'm clearly not a great welder, just trying to make the best out of a career choice. I started with a few small jobs and soon I had some larger jobs. About a month ago I took on a large awning build, that turned out to be 12foot wide, by 30feet long, and 16 foot tall. I had no choise but to build it in front of my shop. Three weeks ago the owner of a local Gold mine stoped by and asked me if I would weld for him. I needed the Insurance and stablity though the winter. He offered me 27.00 per hour to start and 5 ten hour shifts per week, it was close to the pay that I quit. Went to work and I was 1 of 5 full time welders on the payroll. The owner has been very happy with my work, but I am not happy with my overhead. I need some tips to keep me in good standing.
Reply:We need more information to help you...What process? Joint type, machine, setting, rod (if applicable), etc...I know with stick, the shorter the arc, the better.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:That was a long winded "I need to work on my overhead welding" post...are you talking stick? What electrode?
Reply:Overhead is just like flat, only upside down....Last edited by Boostinjdm; 09-10-2011 at 11:02 PM.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Sorry Arc, mostly 7018 1/8in. around 125amps.
Reply:Crank it up. Run hotter around 135 and move faster (your machine may vary but +10 or so) keep a tight arc and drag it along.
Reply:140-150 drag rod across metal just like flat only upside down ha
Reply:Note that hotter (more amps) drips more readily. So does wider. Close arc gap, straight ahead, keep it narrow, it's just like flat, but don't stand underneath it.  And practice, practice, practice!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:1/8"-7018 Suggested Amperage Range on mild steel: 110-165Use less amps on thin metal; more amps on thick metal.Optimal Amperage: 120, but every machine can be different. Go for that "sizzling" bacon sound.Rod angle; arc length and speed are important factors.A .pdf file from miller that may help...HereLast edited by skelley521; 09-11-2011 at 01:51 AM.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:+1 to the 'just like flat, only upside down'. A lot of time overhead is easier, because the slag falls out of the way!
Reply:If you have everything right, nothing will 'fall' per say, if you are welding on good metal.Get your head up in there where you can see your puddle and stick that rod up there also.Now, if you are welding on 'junk' metal, doing a repair on something, do a good cleaning with a grinder. Not just the area to be welded, but the sides of the weld area also.Just watch your puddle, you may have to adjust travel speed when you start to see a 'sag' of the puddle.Worse case, if the weld pool area does fall out and you are watching your puddle, just lean out of the way and let it fall. Stop; clean and inspect the area. Let it cool a bit and get back in there.You may also want to hold or hang out on the good metal and work in the junk metal.Also "never" end the weld repair by pulling off/out (long arcing) at the end of the weld. Run the puddle back down the side of the good base metal about 1/8" to 1/4", ending on the good base metal not the center of the weld.Hope I didn't create any confusion....lol.Good luck.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:thanks for all the help tomarrow I'll give it a try.
Reply:So wait, you quit a perfectly good job, even though in your own mind you're not that great of a welder, and started welding for yourself, and you get work, and then some guy gives you a job at $27/hr, which is less than the job you quit even though you can't weld overhead?Anybody else find this messed up?
Reply:Some one's paying you $1350 gross per week to weld & you can't weld overhead ?? Calling BS on this one.