Reading Uphill Puddles

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Im practicing with 7018 and 6011 uphill and I'm having a hard time getting nice beads.  I've mostly tried 1/8" 7018 on 1/4" steel plate.  Ive gotten OK at laying down beads on the flat.  I can watch the puddle and maintain a consistent arc length.  On the verticle, I see the stick digging into the plate, but the puddle is under it.  I've used both a 90* angle and a 15* push angle and have used amps from 110-130.  I wind up with a runny mess of a bead.  I'm hoping it's just the slag, but it's the metal under as well.  The puddle view is blocked by the stick.  Any pointers on this?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Short arc length, keep the end of the rod buried.Slightly move the end of the rod from side to side.Don't hold too long without moving.Don't worry about what the slag looks like. It's whats underneath that counts.Keep practicing.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Picts of what your finished bead looks like would help. That way we can see where you are having issues and try to make suggestions.As far as "seeing", only you can "fix" that. Try explaining "red " to some one who is blind... You learned "red" from examples when you were young and learning. It works the same way with welding. You will have to correlate what you see when welding with what you see when you chip off the slag. We can make suggestions like slow down, or pause on the sides a bit longer, but the words won't help you "see" the right way to do it.It helps if you have someone who knows what to look for who can watch as you weld. They can tell you to slow down, speed up, pause at the sides longer etc. Also you can sit and watch them weld and hopefully "see" the right way to do this. It's not so much about the motions as it is the subtle clues in the puddle. Unfortunately not all welders can help you. Many people simply "do" and can't really explain well just what it is that they are clueing in on as they are welding. It's like trying to explain how far down you push the gas pedal while driving. You do it instinctively at this point and never think about the motions that go into getting the results you want.Keep in mind the puddle is below the rod for the most part. I'm usually watching the sides of the rod and concentrating on what is happening at the edges of my weld. If I can get the edges right, the middle usually takes care of itself if your travel speed is right.Vertical is usually the hardest of the positions I've found for guys to learn because for the 1st time they really have to see the puddle and understand it. Some pick it up quickly and some never do. Once you really "see" the puddle and understand it, you'll have one of those "Ah ha!" moments and everything will suddenly click into place and make sense. The only thing you can do in the mean time is practice, practice, practice... and pay attention as close as possible to what you see happening around the arc..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I will practice more and post pics if it ever stops raining here.  Thanks for the help.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWKeep in mind the puddle is below the rod for the most part. I'm usually watching the sides of the rod and concentrating on what is happening at the edges of my weld. If I can get the edges right, the middle usually takes care of itself if your travel speed is right.
Reply:Running 1/8" 7018 uphill on 1/4" plate is about as tough as it can get.  You need to keep your amps as low as possible and concentrate on clean starts at that heat.  Would recommend you find some 1/2" plate or if that's not possible, then practice wide beads which teach you rhythm and speed while distributing the heat.
Reply:That's a good point, I overlooked the thickness of the plates.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:1/8 rod on 1/4 plate is doable, but the more weld you add the hotter the plate will get, making it more difficult.
Reply:The advice here for 7018 is good but you also mentioned you are trying 6011 uphill.  If you want to "stack coins" trying going downhill.  Focus on the puddle and focus on where you return to the puddle so that you get nice, even spacing between the "coins".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