Learning to ARC

[IHJ]

Im new New to arc welding, and im generally getting on fine, but sometimes i am left with a small ammount of slag on each side of the bead that is a pig to remove. Is this my fault, wrong settings, or crap rods? I will try and get a pic sometime.

Thanks,
james

 

[shenion]

Some rods are that way, especially the no-name ones. I have some off bran 6013's that the flux is near impossible to get off and I fight slag inclusions.

Look at the bead, if it is undercut, the flux will have a edge to cling to.

Also, if the base metal is not clean, the flux can stick to paint/rust/oil that burns on the surface.