Reading a bead.

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I've noticed that you experienced guys have the ability to "read" a weld bead, and determine what the problem is based on how it appears. This would be a very valuable skill to those just starting out. Does anyone know of any good instructional videos that cover this? I suspect that this would be covered in any good welding course, but the next course in my area doesn't start for almost 3 months, and I'm too eager to wait that long!
Reply:I don't know of anything except recognition of previous mistakes! I recognize a bead that is not up to my own standards. However, it is always advisable to get more than one opinion. There are people here that have forgotten more than I have learned so far!! Learn to make a good bead, the rest will take care of itself.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:It's all experience.  The most you can do is weld and test as much as possible.  When you get confident then get second opinions.  That's when you'll really start to learn.  I have a good friend that's been an welding inspector for over 30 years and I've been humbled by him many, many times.Anything can be fabricated on-site. Truth is fabricated online.
Reply:For simple starters, when you look at your weld bead, you are looking not only at the weld itself, but the area around it. (All this is about steel...)Not so much looking for a specific color, or bluing, but there will be some coloration in the base metals. You want to see a pretty consistent HAZ (Heat Affected Zone.) It will tell you that you have consistent heat across the area welded. ie, hopefully no cold spots. You will look to the edge of the weld, to see there is no undercutting of the base metal. If you did, you want to try to concentrate a bit more filler as you go to make the weld 'fill' the area you are welding. As for the beads themselves, looks can be decieving. But if the bead is very humped up, and the junction of the bead on the base metal does not flow out, if it looks like it is a caterpillar on top of the metal, rather than melted down into and kind of flowing into the base metal, you're probably too cold, maybe moving too fast, or have too big a filler wire for that application. On the other side, if your weld is literally falling through the base metal, or burning holes in it, you are probably running a little too hot, or possibly moving too slow. Just make some welds, beat on them, bend them, etc. You'll see which ones are stronger, and what works well for you. Hope this helps a little bit. Paul.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Lincolns web site has a good bead description in one of there down loadable .pdf bulletins.www.lincolnelectric.comMiller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Originally Posted by ManglerI've noticed that you experienced guys have the ability to "read" a weld bead, and determine what the problem is based on how it appears. This would be a very valuable skill to those just starting out. Does anyone know of any good instructional videos that cover this? I suspect that this would be covered in any good welding course, but the next course in my area doesn't start for almost 3 months, and I'm too eager to wait that long!
Reply:Hey Mangler,I'll try give you a basic understanding as to what all the fellows are saying to help you learn the parameters of welding, whether steel or AL.. Each metal has a hardness, melting point, grain structure, cold roll, hot roll, extruded, etc., and each will weld differently. The learning process is quite extensive and takes years and much practice....and many mistakes. The mistakes are what make you learn. Your eagerness is commendable, and your "hunger" to learn will be satiated by doing some research on the parameters of metals and reading some good metallugical and metal fabrication books.When you strike an arc, you must be able to intensely look at the arc melt point and the meld that is taking place. This will allow you to determine if your hot, cold, fast or slow to get proper fusion, and insure a sound weld joint is being completed. And, yes, the breaking of the weld joint will indicate if your technique is correct. The configurations of the joint and the metal thickness specs., all have a starting point as to weld setting parameters. You will learn, but not in a few weeks or months.....look at years.....and your determination to be very proficient with each process. It will come....practice as much as possible. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions as there are many superb welders here who will pass on solutions to help you....   DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:As I have said many times before...get a copy of "The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding" from the Lincoln Foundation. It will tell you and show you in pictures exactly what you are asking, as well as answer almost any other question you come up with. If I were teaching that would be the required text in every class. Even with it you are still looking at years. Welding is considered to be the most difficult of all trades to learn because it requires such a high level of skill.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:If you go to the www.millerwelds.com and click on the education section, there are a series of welding tutorials with quizzes at the end of each section.  There are explanations about different characteristics of a weld also.  Alot can be learned on the manufacturer's websites.  Also check out www.esab.com, they have a large instructional resource section on their site.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by ManglerI've noticed that you experienced guys have the ability to "read" a weld bead, and determine what the problem is based on how it appears. This would be a very valuable skill to those just starting out. Does anyone know of any good instructional videos that cover this? I suspect that this would be covered in any good welding course, but the next course in my area doesn't start for almost 3 months, and I'm too eager to wait that long!
Reply:Thank you all very much for the helpful suggestions. The resources at the Lincoln site are terrific, and I'm now working my way through them. I'll also be ordering some of the books that have been recommended.
Reply:I learned more from their books than I ever have through trial and error, and it's a whole lot faster way to learn. Fifteen minute worth of reading once applied can radically change the result you are getting. As for looking at the weld and telling what the problem it, that just comes from years of doing it.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:play around a little and look.like play with the heat and wire speeds,travel speed go slow go fast and look at your welds I personally learn by doing. tear it apart look at the innerds and listen after a while you can set a machine by the sound.there is other things you look at also like spatter and like daddy said the haz(heat affected zone)it comes with experience.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerI learned more from their books than I ever have through trial and error, and it's a whole lot faster way to learn. Fifteen minute worth of reading once applied can radically change the result you are getting. As for looking at the weld and telling what the problem it, that just comes from years of doing it.
Reply:When I first started welding it was hard for me to watch the puddle. I was looking ahead of the welding rod instead of behind it. No one ever really showed me or told me what to look for, took a long time just to realize there was a "puddle" and what it was actually doing. I just love to watch the puddle melt into the parent steel and the wetting action, after a while you learn how to play the heat on the metal and then move on. I'm not bragging on myself at all because I'm not that good of a welder, just rambling on about what I have figured out over the years.You can't beat experience so just keep practicing and asking questions, there are many knowledgeable people on this site.G3miller... 225g, s32p, 250x, 304, 12vs, MSW41     victor o/a thermal dynamics cutmaster 50 lenco panel spotter        hobart hf-boxG3 Farms.....raising cattle, hay, kids and hell, ...oh yeah I'm a fire sprinkler contractor by trade.
Reply:Mangler- As I read your other post, It seems that you don't have your machine yet. You are certainly a step ahead given the research that you have done and the questions that you are asking. However...there is no way to gain experience vicariously.Over the years I have aquired many different skill sets, in many different areas. There are lots of things that you can learn to do as a process. Step one, step two,etc,etc.Welding is different in that it is a dynamic process where a number of things happen at the same time to create a weld. I suspect this is why you are looking for more video to watch.I'm going to maintain that the video you watch while making your own arcs will be the most telling. I'm not trying to discourage you from seeking more info, just pointing out that until you spend some time with the hood down it is hard to even know what to ask.The books will show you pictures of what good welds look like, but the ability to "read a weld" like some of the pro's here can is only found after burning thousands of pounds of rods and wire .Good luck and stay motivated.