O/A welding: "glob" instead of "dab" the rod?

admin

I recently came across some advice that was given specifically for aircraft tubing welds.  The author (some kind of expert) said that it's better to drop globs of molten steel from your welding rod into the puddle than it is to dab the rod into the puddle.  In other words, hold the rod tip above the puddle but in the flame.Since in my very meager & basic training with mild steel, I'd only been taught to dab the tip of the rod into the puddle - while still, of course, keeping the rod in the flame - I found this new advice to be kinda puzzling. Don't dab? Is there some difference about aircraft steel (tubing & rods) that makes this difference in technique better for that application?  Or is this simply for all tubing, because the material's so thin?  Or is globbing considered a more advanced thechnique for general O/A beads in any gauge material?Thanks.Joel
Reply:Try that overhead!Never heard of that technique.
Reply:My instructor does, dip, dip, dip; carefully watching the puddle; which defines each dip. I'm past O/A, but if I see him showing the O/A class, I stop and watch. I think he's a master; all postions, all processes. I'm glad that I was taught to respect skill, when I was a boy. A Master Craftsman is to be respected. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverMy instructor does, dip, dip, dip; carefully watching the puddle; which defines each dip.
Reply:Sounds like a formula for cold lap to me.
Reply:Alright.  Never heard of that technique, but tried it today.  My observation is it in actually a prevention against cold lap.  Having a puddle and a molten filler are only going to flow together.  Also, it eliminates the threat of the rod sticking on the base metal.I didn't actually allow the filler to drip off the filler.  The filler became molten, formed a glob then it met the puddle.It builds up the weld and produces a convex bead.  I was using RG60.A technique worth trying and practicing.  I haven't tried it over head but I think it will work.Last edited by tapwelder; 10-13-2008 at 06:04 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderNever heard of that technique, but tried it today.  My observation is it in actually a prevention against cold lap.  Having a puddle and a molten filler are only going to flow together.  Also, it eliminates the threat of the rod sticking on the base metal.
Reply:Joel:When I was learning O/A, I read 'somewhere' (no internet back then), to never dip a cold filler into the puddle. So I made a habit of: keeping the filler very close to the flame, never loosing the red glow. And I wouldn't dip until the filler was almost dripping.I probably used this technique in class last year. I bent 12 coupons (four positions) and had no failures. Since it was a longtime habit, I didn't think about it. You made me dig through my old learning memories, it's been awhile.To answer your question: I've done a lot of 16ga square tubing (hobby quantity, not mass prod.) and poking the filler 'through', has never been a problem.The author (some kind of expert)Richard Finch? I may have read it in one of his books.Last edited by Craig in Denver; 10-15-2008 at 09:33 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250