Welding direction and position

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I am installing a roll cage in my car and I seem to be having some problems with welding the round pipe for the cage.I seem to be having most of the trouble just seeing where to run the bead because the pipe is round and it is constantly changing unlike a flat surface.  It is hard to It is hard to watch the bead and were to go.I am using the FCAW method.  Any help is really apprecuated.Thanks in advance.Mike
Reply:Flux core and no gas?? Flux core drag the weld/bead.  Take the nozzle off, spray the end good with anti spatter. Do not let the tip touch while drawing an arc."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:another thought about winding around the pipe:  If you can be welding down on the joint you can wrap the gun lead around the pipe and stand above the joint with the gun handle almost vertical but angled in the direction of your weld.  You then can unwind your gun while you are looking down on the joint.Last edited by lotechman; 09-23-2004 at 11:46 PM.
Reply:When welding around pipe it is useful to check your motion before welding.  You sorta wind yourself around the pipe halfway around and without actually welding go through the motion.  If your are happy with your dry run then go for it.
Reply:I don't much care to grind my welds back off either.  In an awkword position, I usually do a dry run to make sure that I can reach what I want to reach and that I'm at the right angles.  And I almost always do a dry run when I'm going to cut something.  Nothing worse that cooking along and your watch causes you to have a hickup in your cut.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.