308 Smaw??

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At work I have been doing some welding on 308 stainless.  I really cannot get this rod to run the best out of position.  I know a lot of people will say to run and get a tig but that is not what I am after.  I am looking for someone to give me some tips and trick on running this stuff.  I know a blind monkey can make it look great flat but I am asking about out of position.  I am welding on  4inch both sch 10 and 40.  I am also welding some 16" sch 10.  I have tried all I can think of.  I have 3/32, 1/8 and 5/32 avalible but have only been using the smaller two for this project.  My problem is that my puddle will just run apart and I will get pockets of slag in there that doesn't want to burn out.  The best thing I have found is just run a very very short arc and little movement at all but if I go slow enough to get it to wet out I will get the slag in there.  Please help in any way..  Thanks Matt
Reply:SCH 10 stainless with SMAW is gonna be tough.  In my experience with out of position stainless a stick is not a good choice, but  I have welded some stainless tanks 1/8" to 14ga material.  I ran 3/32" down hand.  I turned up the amps a little hot and ran down hand (no weave) just fast enough to stay ahead of the slag.  even then there was spot with slag inclusions that I had to clean and run another bead on top to seal.  From then on I pretty much went to tig on stainless.  On the sch 40 I would think you could weld it up hand given you have a properly fitted joint.  Just watch your puddle and weave accordingly concentrating on the sides enough to keep the weld from falling out.Last edited by Hammack_Welding; 07-24-2007 at 10:08 PM.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:So yer runnin' 308 ON 308?? Are the rods stored properly??Miller Dynasty 700Miller 350P with Aluma-pro push-pullMiller 280 Dynasty with expansion card Dynasty 200 DXMigMax 215 Enuff power and hand tools to create one of anything..... but mass produce nothing!!!
Reply:yes it is all 308.  Well.. as for storage we do like many do and shouldnt and have them in an old frige with a light bulb.  All of our rod is in there.  We get them in the 10# boxes and leave them in there..
Reply:That fridge with the lightbulb would be fine and dandy to keep moisture out of 6011/6010 rods, but for anything else you would want it HOT.Many people incorrectly store specialty rods at 150 degrees when it should be stored at 250 degrees to comply with most welding codes (this includes 7018 guys).  That stainless rod you have is no different.  This may not be your problem, but a $250 investment is pennies with the time and materials you will save in the long run to do it right.