7018 Uphill Question

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At work the other day a coworker and I were discussing different welding processes.  While talking about 7018 uphill he remarked, "You wouldn't use 5/32 7018 uphill would you!"  The obvious answer in his mind being a firm no.  He then proceded to tell me that the biggest 7018 rod capable of welding uphill was the 1/8 rod.  This didn't make sense to me.  I have welded uphill with 5/32 7018 before with what I thought were good results.  Is there something I don't know about or is my coworker mis-informed about the capabilities of the bigger 7018 rods?Matthew MortonTexas A&M '06Logsdon Seminary '13"Who Dares Wins""AFTF""WH2PH"SA 200 (Code: 5337)TB 302CP 302 w/22A Wire FeederMillerMatic 200Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 252BurnTables 4x4 CNC MachineHypertherm 65
Reply:I've run 1/4" 7018 up So I know he is wrong
Reply:he is mis-informed. 1/8" for me is for like, tricky spots. maybe where Im in one of those weird twisted positions just to reach the spot. Maybe hanging upside down or something. Or anything I can only reach left handed. 5/32 as much as I can, including vertical up. I get it done faster which always makes the boss happy. My money is on that your co-worker runs his vertical ups on the cold side and that he can't manage the increased amperage and larger puddle of 5/32. Another dollar that his arrogance and ego wont let him admit that there is a process he can't do. That's ok. Like, inspecting a vertical up with 5/32 is the same as inspecting one with 1/8" right. So where is the mystery for him?Last edited by tenpins; 02-04-2012 at 07:26 PM.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:matt1morton  -  Maximum rod size is relative to sectional thickness.   Opus
Reply:For vertical up, 5/32 diameter electrode is maximum allowable for 7018, or any low hydrogen rod for that matter.  Anything larger would require qualification of the procedure.   Now as far as 'is it possible to run larger?', you bet!Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:It's like anything else. The thicker the base metal the higher the heat input.. If there's more meat to absorb heat the more you can can give it. Just like FCAW with higher wire speeds.CAW/MWF Local 1Halifax Shipyard
Reply:I have a cert that covers 5/32 uphill and overhead. How else would you build bridges? Weld them flat?There is limits in weave width, but I like stringers to relieve previous pass anyways. They make a 3/4" 7018, how bad-*** of a machine to run that eh?Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdFor vertical up, 5/32 diameter electrode is maximum allowable for 7018, or any low hydrogen rod for that matter.  Anything larger would require qualification of the procedure.   Now as far as 'is it possible to run larger?', you bet!
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardI don't like your post because is is half right half wrong and confusing to the masses. Essential variables limits of AWS D1.1 come into play if the procedure WPS was not written to include the electrodes to be used in the field. I find nothing in AWS D1.1 that limits 7018 to 5/32" dia. 7018 of any diameter can be qualified to any position. Not all diameters make sense on all thicknesses or joint configurations.
Reply:i use 5/32 vert all time and tested vert and overhead   at times i vert 3/ 16 but in short passes maybe 5 inch and then have to stop .  but respectively 5/32 is not a problem for going up with
Reply:Originally Posted by jbyrdI was referencing table 3.7 for prequalified WPS requirements, (please check footnote B), which is why I stated that if you go larger the procedure would need to be qualified.  Not sure why its half wrong.  After reviewing my post the only thing I was not clear about was that I was applying D1.1 as my source.I also then stated that, yes, it is possible to go even larger. I think my post infers that if you have WPS that has been qualified with a larger rod you are good to go.
Reply:Maryland state bridge test is 5/32 7018 only, it can be done!
Reply:Your co-worker sounds a like a moron. I took an unlimited thickness 3g welding test where the root was done with 1/8" 7018 and the whole rest of the test (fill and cap) was done with 5/32 7018. I dont know if anyone else will agree with this but i wast taught to oscillate or weave a little bit when welding with anything over the size of 1/8". Im not talking about a huge weave, just enough to spread the puddle out a little bit. I was told if you did not weave or oscillate that your beads will crown too much and on that unlimited thickness test before i began they told me if i didnt weave i would they would fail me on the test even if it bent.Aaron Olsonmiller dynasty 200dx