1 amp per .001" ???

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OK.I didn't want to hijack a thread which is currently running to get an answer to this, so here we go...Recently (a relative concept in itself), I have seen references to a rule/guideline which states you should use 1 amp per each .001" of ...is it rod diameter, or plate thickness?I always thought it meant rod diameter.But, I don't have a reason why I thought that. It just seemed to make more sense that way.On the other hand, I remember they used to give suggested settings for full penetration welds on plate using square butt joints, using varying gaps and amperages depending on the thickness of the material.So, on the one hand, if it refers to rod diameter, 1/8 rod should be used at @125 amps, and 1/4" rod at @250 amps, correct?Seems ballpark reasonable.If, on the other hand, it refers to the plate thickness, 1/8" plate would need to be welded at 125 amps, 1/4" at 250 amps, and 1" at 1,000 amps.Now, if the plates are beveled, and gapped, any of these seem hot, and obviously, 1" thick steel does not require 1,000 amps to be welded.However, it could conceivably refer to amperages needed to accomplish a full penetration weld on plate which is fit up with a square butt weld, with some specified amount of gap.Any insight??...not that it really matters, but I at least like to know why I think something.Cheers Last edited by geezerbill; 01-20-2015 at 01:05 PM.Reason: spellingHobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Hello geezerbill, here's my take on that statement, so you can take it for what it's worth. Mainly designated for amperage settings when you are using the GTAW/TIG process. Also my take as to it's application: only use the "rule" up to about 3/16" thickness. Reasoning for the limitation: once you have reached the 190 amp mark and if you are welding on plates or pipes of a greater thickness you will be multi-passing the filler metal and not requiring any more heat in "most" instances. I would also avoid applying this to GTAW/TIG on aluminum as there are so many variables that can be applied that any hard and fast rules will drive most folks crazy, at least they do me. Likely others have different takes and I am always open to learning. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:It's a guideline, not a hard rule.  I would say that it refers to rod diameter when stick welding and plate thickness for MIG and TIG.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Hmmm.For bicycle tubing and roll cage tubing, eh?So, if it ain't measured in 0.xmm or 0.0xx", then fuggetaboutit!I can live with that.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Travel speed is also a big player!that rule of thumb is for steel. If you got a big piece of aluminum it's alot more amps per .001 metal thickness. Just depends on travel speed and how much filler or how often you dip in
Reply:its a reference to coorelating amp settign with rod diameter .... its a very loose rule of thumb.for example these are settings i tend to use:1/8 7018 - 110 amps uphill, 120 - 130 amps horizontal, 130-140 amps flat1/8 6010 - 90-95 amps fillet, 80-90 amps open root.there are a lot of factors that affect amp setting.AWS CWI xxxx21711968 SA200  Originally Posted by WelderMike  I hate being bipolar, It's awesome.