advice on rewelding

admin

Ok. A few guys know that I'm going to a state welding competition this Friday for stick. I'm Not bad at it, i can run amazing 7018 in all positions except overhead, (i haven't learned that yet) but my root welds with 6010 need improvement. In another thread i got some great advice from a few guys for my 6010 roots so that's not what I'm posting for. The point of this thread is I was wondering what u guys could tell me about re welding. Say i run a crappy root, how/can i break it and start over till i get the weld i want, and how do i do it without a grinder or vice? The only tools i will be able to bring are my welding jacket, helmet, gloves, chipping hammer/wire brush, pliers, vice grips, chalk, tape measure, level, and maybe a metal file. In class I've never had to re weld anything I just get new scrap metal, except for my bend tests and for those I can break them with a vice and hammer, and grind them on a pedestal grinder. This may be a stupid question, and I'm sorry, but I don't have any experience re welding with the tools I'll have at competition. I want to know the proper way to do it. Thanks a bunch guys.
Reply:In school we were not allowed to use grinders on our test pieces.  We had to weld them right the first time or lose marks when they busted.If you put in a bad root you wont be rewelding anything with those tools (not that I can see)  Its common for guys to use a cutting disk in a grinder to reopen a keyhole and what not but you wont have one available.Best thing to do is practice your roots and get it right.  There are various ways to run a root too. See what works best for you.  I sometimes use a C shaped weave over the keyhole (helps control heat).  There is the whip and pause method where you depost a weld then long arc ahead 3/8"s and the back 1/2" and deposit another weld and repeat.I sometimes like to run a stringer if I have the right setup 1/16" land 1/16" gap and a 3/32 rod. Set your heat right and you will have a nice bead on the back side !  You will barely see the arc if this is done right.  You will just hear the sound of the arc on the other side of the plate !Oh and also if you do run a root and do not have the penetration on the back side you want, run your hot pass as hot as you can carry it and it should push your root further out !Last edited by Newfie_1986; 03-23-2009 at 10:31 PM.
Reply:Thanks Newfie!