I tried (and failed) a T joint today.

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I did quite poorly.  I tried using some 1/8 6013 at 100amps DCEP.  In the first picture you can see where I went back and tried to go over the gap full of slag.  On the other side it looks like it finally came together for about an inch on the right side.  I was almost dragging the rod but I had difficulty seeing the puddle with all the slag.  I'm going to try again tomorrow.  Any suggestions, tips?
Reply:First, I admit I don't like 6013. never had need of it. Second, it is meant as a "sheet metal rod" . Shallow penetration. intended to be. that plate you show looks a LOT thicker than sheet metal, to me . try 6010, if you don't mind the splatter (flying dingleberries) or 7018.  6010 will really penetrate ,as long as you have enough amps .[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:That's what took me 2 yrs.    The slag is building up around the rod as you are welding.  Move out.  Increase your amps.  Rod should be angled in the direction of travel.  You can drag the rod, however I have found small circles work best for me.             Again more amps.  Also, finding the puddle is most important. If you don't see it, then it won't be welded when you remove the slag.How many amps do you have available on your welder?  That rod will perform well on thick steel.  Is that 1/8"
Reply:I can go up to 150 amps.  The steel is 1/4".
Reply:Ya get some good 6011, crank the current a bit higher, and keep the rod at the top of the puddle, looks like you might be pushing into the puddle a bit too much.
Reply:CRANK IT UP   You need a lot more heat.  Try 140 amps.  Its too cold, so it won't join the pieces.Fillets take more heat than a flat bead.My first fillet with 6013 looked just like yours.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:MORE HEAT , MORE HEAT  and pullback a little bit.. looks like you are stabbing it in the joint and pulling back
Reply:Lose the 6013 for now. 6011 is much easier to learn to use. After you are running good beads with 6011 you can go back to 6013 if you wish. Personally I would forget about 6013 and go to 7018 as it is easier to run and a much better rod. Yes you can run 7018 with AC but I really don't like to and I really don't like Lincoln's 7018AC. Lincoln Excalibur is the best 7018 I've used and I have used a bunch of them.
Reply:6013 has it purposes. It's extremely easy to operate once you run a few beads with a good welding technique. You should be able to put down some pretty welds on 1/4 and the slag should almost peel up or just fall off with a wire brush if done correctly. --Gol'
Reply:turn up your heatChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:turn up the heat and slow down just a bit as soon as you get your puddle going pull out of it  just loong enough to let it cool then back in to it it should look like a roll of nickels  hope that helps
Reply:Listen to the oldtimer he has already forgotten more about this than most of us will ever learn. I don't ask questions here I just call him on the phone, heheh. Yep 6013 has it's uses just like 7014, and I have yet to find a single one for either. I have never taken a test or used a procedure where either was allowed. In fact I have never even read one where they were allowed.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderThat's what took me 2 yrs.    The slag is building up around the rod as you are welding.  Move out.  Increase your amps.  Rod should be angled in the direction of travel.  You can drag the rod, however I have found small circles work best for me.             Again more amps.  Also, finding the puddle is most important. If you don't see it, then it won't be welded when you remove the slag.How many amps do you have available on your welder?  That rod will perform well on thick steel.  Is that 1/8"
Reply:jeremy if you decide on using 6013 try electrode neg,turn your amps up as the lads say,120  130 amps,your approach looks perfect its just your amps,practice multi passes on the same fillet.pipefitter. Attached Images
Reply:That's the way it should look so listen to the man. Now a Question. Are you sure you are a pipefitter? Because I have never ever seen one who could even come close to welding like that. Are those your welds in your pics as I am assuming they are, or not? I would be hard pressed to get a pipe cap any better than the one in the pic. The 6013 fillet looks like my Jet welds in the flat fillet. Now as far as the pipe caps go I just got off the phone with oldtimer (he is my dad) and he said he didn't think he had any pics of any around but he would look. I don't claim to be the best, nor even a textbook welder, and in all honesty my welds don't look as pretty as they did 30 years ago. I can't see anymore and I have shaky hands, bad back, bad neck etc. Makes it a lot harder, lol. I have studied Lincoln's proceedures, ASME's and the U.S Navy's (they practically wrote the book on pipe and heated pressure vessels) and I just do it the way they say to. There are others as well, but man that list gets long. I have also spent a lot of time watching the techniques of others which is one of the best learning tools there are.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:The older I get, the better I used to be.  Those are pipefitters welds, I have seen many.  He is MR. 6013 DCEN  David ..... All in fun Last edited by David R; 02-02-2008 at 05:56 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I haven't had time to do any more practice.   I did pick up a chop saw the other night and I'll probably have some time tomorrow.  I'll let you all know how it goes.