Vertical arc

[TheBrick]

Hi,
I am trying to weld vertically some 4mm angle. I am travelling up hill.

I am finding that my weld puddle is dripping down before it looks like it has wet in on the sides. I am positioned looking down on the weld.

I have watched a few videos and have tried weaving and going straight. I think the main thing I have noticed I am doing different is my rod is pointing uphill more than in the videos.

I am having good results on the horizontal with my settings but just having this odd problem of drooping weld but not seeming to fuse in on the sides when vertical. Perhaps I am looking at wrong part of puddle due to my position?

Any tips?

 

[addjunkie]

Try 7018 rods!

 

[cocker]

Or less amps .

 

[8ob]

What size rod and amps are you using?

Bob

 

[E T]

Arc length. Keep is really short. Shove that rod in there. Same goes for overhead.
Amperage same as downhand, but when the metal start to get hotter drop down 5 or 10 amps.
What rods are you using? 7018 is easier for out of position welding than 6013.

 

[TheBrick]

What size rod and amps are you using?

Bob

125-130 amp 3.2mm 6031

 

[TheBrick]

Arc length. Keep is really short. Shove that rod in there. Same goes for overhead.
Amperage same as downhand, but when the metal start to get hotter drop down 5 or 10 amps.
What rods are you using? 7018 is easier for out of position welding than 6013.

Thanks, that is interesting about 7018 vs 6013. Are they made of a different blend of materials or is it in the flux?

 

[oilcooled :)]

2.5 mm rods for a start, 6013 are perfect, electrode negative, around 80 amps if it’s a t fillet slight weave don’t try and bring to much metal. Make sure fit up good and rods dry

 

[TheBrick]

2.5 mm rods for a start, 6013 are perfect, electrode negative, around 80 amps if it’s a t fillet slight weave don’t try and bring to much metal. Make sure fit up good and rods dry

Tanks I'll pop and gra some 2.5 rods tomorrow if I can. How come it works so well on the horizontal with these settings? I didn't expect it to be so different. (old transformer box btw so no -ve / +ve)

 

[bletchmonster]

I could do no good with 3.25 6013's vertcal until I dropped right back to 100amps

 

[Mark 2]

Tanks I'll pop and gra some 2.5 rods tomorrow if I can. How come it works so well on the horizontal with these settings? I didn't expect it to be so different. (old transformer box btw so no -ve / +ve)

Gravity

 

[indy4x]

I find 2.5mm 7018 easier for vertical up, tutor in college used to call them a fast freeze rod, did try 6013s and the result wasn't pretty, but then I'm an amateur at this stuff

 

[TheBrick]

I will give the 2.5, 6013 as I can grab from Screwfix but 7018 looks like Friday for delivery from a weld supplier.

 

[Bornfree]

125-130 amp 3.2mm 6031

That's a little hot for 3.2 6013s vertical, try around the 100-105 mark.

 

[TheBrick]

That's a little hot for 3.2 6013s vertical, try around the 100-105 mark.

Is there are rule of thumb of how much to wide back the amps for vertical? Like 10% / 15% compared to flat?

 

[Erie Fred]

Is there are rule of thumb of how much to wide back the amps for vertical? Like 10% / 15% compared to flat?

"You'll know it when you see it"
and if you post some pix, we can see it too.

 

[TheBrick]

This had several attempts. I was pretty much stitching here

 

[TheBrick]

This is even worse! I was just chasing the molton metal.
Ordered a small pack of 7018 from OWS

 

[Turbo]

I will give the 2.5, 6013 as I can grab from Screwfix but 7018 looks like Friday for delivery from a weld supplier.

Your buzz box might not run 7018's. They need a higher ocv to get the arc started.
An oil cooled or a decent inverter is normally needed.

 

[Erie Fred]

This is even worse! I was just chasing the molton metal.
Ordered a small pack of 7018 from OWS
View attachment 481126

You not seeing what you need to see.
I see:
1. not waiting long enough on each side to wet in.
2. Spending too much time in the middle
3. not weaving wide enough on pix #1
4. weaving too wide on pix #2

This is just me, I'm sure others will be able to help more.