Overhead welding

[norlander]

did you have a good clean earth mate? also, (and this is just a personal opinion and not based on any testical Knollige) I sometimes (not often) tweak the gas flow. My theory is that on some runs you might need more gas, or maybe less.
When I weld a fillet, I get a lovely looking bead coz (IMO) the joint is a nice little trap for the gas,a butt joint, the gas coverage could be reduced, but I think torch angle deals with that and I reckon with experience it might be a subconcious reaction to work the torch angle for different joints so I think I have just waffled on and agreed with Bill.
So mebbe check your earth and play with torch angle.
FWIW, once I have the settings right for the material I'm working on, I don't change em for vertical/OH/ or if there are gaps, I stop n start. HTH.

 

[Jan]

Frankly those welds are no better than my first attempts at overhead stick welding for the MOT. However that was oh so many years ago that
a) I didn't have a machine of my own and had to hire one for the weekend
and
b) the test was so lax back then that the car passed.
The thing is that I didn't bother with a mask or protective gear of any kind, so I ruined my shirt, kecks & specs and was seeing stars for days afterwards.

 

[octo0072000]

remember if you get i bit of molten down your sleeve don't shake it about it just burns more
with your welding on the underside is there any old metal under what you are welding that could cause the spitting etc

 

[CRB]

did you have a good clean earth mate? also, (and this is just a personal opinion and not based on any testical Knollige) I sometimes (not often) tweak the gas flow. My theory is that on some runs you might need more gas, or maybe less.
When I weld a fillet, I get a lovely looking bead coz (IMO) the joint is a nice little trap for the gas,a butt joint, the gas coverage could be reduced, but I think torch angle deals with that and I reckon with experience it might be a subconcious reaction to work the torch angle for different joints so I think I have just waffled on and agreed with Bill.
So mebbe check your earth and play with torch angle.
FWIW, once I have the settings right for the material I'm working on, I don't change em for vertical/OH/ or if there are gaps, I stop n start. HTH.

Earth - Same one as the top welds shown above.
Gas - 5/6lpm up to 9ish due to shortened shroud. I think it may need reducing further so the guide protrudes a little more.

with your welding on the underside is there any old metal under what you are welding that could cause the spitting etc

No it is new 2mm. I did spray the inside with primer, and then scuffed it off for the joint.

 

[Kent]

Still learning really, and I know that my welds are not consistent and that in itself does get to me. I did probably jump in a bit quickly, I needed to do some MOT work on the van and got the thinner stuff done quite well, good enough for my MOT man to comment on it, positively.

I will be able to have some proper time on Thursday, and so will be doing some practising then. I had already decided to return to the bench after a think yesterday.

Your 'rocket science' comment is why I was expecting to be reasonably close rather than not.

Many thanks.

Yes return to the bench and run a big pad of parallel beads, when your consistently producing the bead you want on demand (by various ways) left to right, right to left , towards you and away- then lean to sign your name. Then and only then start on joints and test them to destruction with a big hammer to ensure you getting good fusion.
Nobody can learn to weld on an actual job or straight joints from the get go, yet it seems so popular a way to try. Its not rocket science but its not an innate skill either

 

[marlinspike]

I find that doing a bit of important welding is like playing a game of pool or darts. I need a bit of practise just to 'get my eye in'. I always do several long runs using the thin metal technique before I go anywhere near the car. I keep practising until I am happy that I have got the technique right. I guess after a lot of experience you can weld from scratch, but I definitely still need a warm up session. Of course, sometimes the practise goes great and the car welding looks rubbish, but again that is just experience.