Help running a straight, longer bead

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I've seen some phenomenal beads on here, just amazing. But so far, I can't get there and one reason is that my hand isn't as steady any more as it once was, even using my second as a brace (that helps a lot though). It's particularly tough on longer beads. Maybe it's something I just have to live with but I wondered if anyone had a suggestion or two?I have an idea for an adjustable support rod that I can rest my hand or the gun on that will prevent any movement other than in the direction I'm wanting to go (for horizontal work) but maybe there's a better solution?
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1I've seen some phenomenal beads on here, just amazing. But so far, I can't get there and one reason is that my hand isn't as steady any more as it once was, even using my second as a brace (that helps a lot though). It's particularly tough on longer beads. Maybe it's something I just have to live with but I wondered if anyone had a suggestion or two?I have an idea for an adjustable support rod that I can rest my hand or the gun on that will prevent any movement other than in the direction I'm wanting to go (for horizontal work) but maybe there's a better solution?
Reply:Are you just running stringers for practice? If so put you a soap stone line down if you need a visual to follow.
Reply:The problem often isn't in trying to find a line to follow, it's more about hand steadiness in following the line or joint.
Reply:I have a natural shake so to speak. I've slowly learned to use it to my advantage, but not trying to bear down and eliminate it. Instead I relax and allow it to help a little with my weave. When I try and eliminate my shake, I actually make it worse and my bead shows it. When I relax my welding improves. When I was a punkin the old hands told me that I should have a loose enough grip on the stinger, that someone should be able to slap it out of my hand. Edit...I assumed you meant stick welding, although I'm not completely sure now. Ha
Reply:Is this welding on table ? Position welding ? If you are on table resting arm on a piece of channel or 2x4 may help. Always do a dry run to see how to position your body , arm, hand, to be comfortable. If position welding, you can tack something to the material where you can rest your arm on.
Reply:I am just a beginner like you so take this for what it is worth. When I started learning to strike an arc and run some consistent beads I had tons of trouble with both. I finally started trying placing the rod in the stinger at different angles after I noticed on the 1000 videos I watched that many different angles were used by good welders. I finally found an angle that allowed my wrist to remain comfortable all the way along the bead as the electrode shortened. I did not have to force my wrist into position as the bead got longer and rod shorter. For me this made all the difference in both striking an arc and running more consistent beads. This was probably said lots of times in the videos, I don't know, or is basic welding 101 but it took me a long time to appreciate it.gg
Reply:Mig or flux core here, not stick. Welding on a small table. I'm sort of OK if I can use my left hand as a brace but can't always do that. Maybe the particular joint hangs over the edge of the table or it's up high enough my brace hand is also in the air. I hadn't thought about tacking a rod to the piece then cutting it off and grinding it flat. I'll try to remember that.My idea is a magnetic bottomed vertical (wood or metal) with a number of holes in it where I can stick a rod through at whatever height I need and use that as a brace/guide. That won't help if I'm not on the table but at least it's something. Beads over maybe a couple inches are killer for me both in terms of keeping it straight and keeping an even width.Last edited by JD1; 01-15-2016 at 07:48 PM.
Reply:some good tips here so far.one which helps me is dry run the joint with your two handed "grip"......... if you can't move smoothly along the joint then reposition and do more dry runs.often times if you start in a slightly uncomfortable position then you finish in a comfortable position.if you have ever shot pool, billiards etc you know how your mid to end of  joint hand position will feel.just some thoughts : )
Reply:Body position is key get as comfortable as you can before striking an arc and do shorter weld runstrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:"Shorter weld runs".....I have a question about that. I tried it on a recent piece but when I finished the full length, it looked like crap due to the bunch of short runs. So I had to grind. Is there any way to smoothly blend or feather in the start of the next run into the end of the first? Or is that just how it is and nothing can be done other than learn to do a long run.
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1Mig or flux core here, not stick. Welding on a small table. I'm sort of OK if I can use my left hand as a brace but can't always do that. Maybe the particular joint hangs over the edge of the table or it's up high enough my brace hand is also in the air. I hadn't thought about tacking a rod to the piece then cutting it off and grinding it flat. I'll try to remember that.My idea is a magnetic bottomed vertical (wood or metal) with a number of holes in it where I can stick a rod through at whatever height I need and use that as a brace/guide. That won't help if I'm not on the table but at least it's something. Beads over maybe a couple inches are killer for me both in terms of keeping it straight and keeping an even width.
Reply:Blending your restarts takes a little practice but once you get it it will look goodtrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:Originally Posted by HT2-4956You must learn to use the Force young Skywalker.
Reply:Originally Posted by akphillBlending your restarts takes a little practice but once you get it it will look good
Reply:Mostly practice and grind the weld back  to start new weld not a lot just enough to get smooth starttrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1I've seen some phenomenal beads on here, just amazing. But so far, I can't get there and one reason is that my hand isn't as steady any more as it once was, even using my second as a brace (that helps a lot though). It's particularly tough on longer beads. Maybe it's something I just have to live with but I wondered if anyone had a suggestion or two?I have an idea for an adjustable support rod that I can rest my hand or the gun on that will prevent any movement other than in the direction I'm wanting to go (for horizontal work) but maybe there's a better solution?
Reply:I wondered if that "crutch" idea might not be the case. However, as I mentioned, it seems like some physical and/or nerve deterioration will prevent me from one-handing a nice looking weld bead. Also, I checked and my gun (Lincoln Magnum 100L) doesn't have a trigger lock. I'd try it if it did.
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1I wondered if that "crutch" idea might not be the case. However, as I mentioned, it seems like some physical and/or nerve deterioration will prevent me from one-handing a nice looking weld bead. Also, I checked and my gun (Lincoln Magnum 100L) doesn't have a trigger lock. I'd try it if it did.
Reply:Curious. I'll inspect my Lincoln manual and if needed email Lincoln and ask.
Reply:Originally Posted by JD1Curious. I'll inspect my Lincoln manual and if needed email Lincoln and ask.
Reply:Nothing in the manual about it so I emailed Lincoln. Here's their response: "The SP135 Plus does not have trigger interlock capabilities." The trigger on the gun is annoyingly touchy. I can't count how many times I've had to break or cut off an inch or two when my glove bumped it.Last edited by JD1; 01-18-2016 at 09:58 AM.
Reply:There's not much hope you're ever going to find a trigger interlock function on that class of basic wire welding machine.