rate the pipe welds

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Working for my 6 g certs, This was done 6G 6" sch 40, lincoln 225 ac/dc Root 5p+ at 75 amps hot and cap 7018 85 amps all DC. I know when I put the cap on the pipe was to hot but I was wanting to get it done. Looking back I wish I had waited for the pipe to cool before I put the cap on.
Reply:Odd question, but did you weld your root from the inside?  I ask due to the spatter.I am tired of Ketchup, I want the Gravy...
Reply:I am not a pipeliner so I will leave the point by point critiquing to them.  At a quick glance, I would not pass you on visual for your inconsistencies in your root bead on the ID of the pipe, your wandering cap with undercut and spatter, and your arc marks.You are close, but I will let the 'liners tune you up. Happy New Year!Later,Jason
Reply:Is that an uphill root?  Anyways, that weld would be looked out. Your root has fairly large fish eye where you burned through your tack. That's a defect. Your cap is inconsistent and has more than the allowed undercut. You need to at least 2 bead cap your test piece. Under no circumstances should there be any arc marks on your pipe. You got a ways to go. Your root should be uniform all the way around with no incomplete penetration,burn through, craters etc. Try to 2 bead your cap man. It will look better and that's what most inspectors want to see. If your welding xh pipe then even 3 bead the sucker
Reply:OK. On the first and second pics of the root in addition to what the others mentioned, I can see that the land is not fused in. You can see the sharp edge in the picture. When you are putting in your root watch the edges to make sure you are breaking them down. If you notice your arc is favoring one side or you are getting arc blow to one side try changing your angle perpendiculer to your travel direction so it melts both root faces equally. Otherwise you are doing fine. Just more practice. Don't worry if you mess up a part of the weld. Just go ahead and finish it out likne it was OK and then work on that spot on the next one. Hang in there. You'll get it. Also you might have some hi lo in those root areas I mentioned.
Reply:One more thing. I missed that you were capping with 7018. Run stringer beads when you are capping with 7018. 3 should do it for a cap on that. Watch your edges so you don't get undercut or leave slag that you can't get brushed out. Let us know how it's going.
Reply:So, did any of that help?
Reply:Just my 2 cent. From what I see you were too low on the last pass before your cap. Try to weld until your about flush or little low to the pipe then run your cap. Practice both weave and stringer they are both useful.Last thing, you don't need to let the pipe cool before capping. As you practice you will pick up speed and it will be easier.Keep up welding !
Reply:I'd also clean up evenly about 3/4" on either side before welding. Keeps coatings and mill scale away from the weld, and looks neater.A three-inch diameter 60 grit flap wheel works well for that.
Reply:Thanks for the help, still trying to get more pipe for home practice. Start weld class in a couple weeks and should be putting out some better stuff. I have found after using some larger machines than going back to my 225 its arc isnt as smooth and has alot of trouble maintaning its arc. I know I cannot blame the machine its just rough going from a nice smooth machine to this. But its works great for stuff at home and the price was right.
Reply:If you are using a buzz box that explains a lot. LOL.
Reply:Regarding home practice, bad habits are hard to break.rodstub
Reply:its an ad/dc buzz box so I have been running on dc but like I said before its not the best arc. Ive had lots of class work work practice. Just not certified, working on getting that done as to go out as a welder instead of a fitter.
Reply:Looks like good penetration on the root. I would work on making the cap more uniform with less under cut.When in doubt, carry two guns instead of one.
Reply:Root looks good minus one spot that looks like its not quite tied in (where opposite directions meet Im sure you know what Im talking about) but if you run into that in the future you can fix it before you move on. Just use a zip wheel to grind it through with feathered edges on each side and run you root again. Even as it is I would say that the root would pass x-rayThe 7018 needs work, but it looks like your trying to weave in the 6G you don't weave you run stringers.
Reply:"Practice does NOT make perfect, PERFECT practice makes perfect"--Matt6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:Don't quit your day job !
Reply:Originally Posted by big stickDon't quit your day job !
Reply:I agree with everyone's advice. For me I would crank your amps up a little bit, but I like to work hot so...its up to you. Make sure your rolling your angle as your going around, that undercut is likely because of angle. Not bad for a first, keep it up...the skills there just keep digging at it.