vertical fun

[sardine]

I'm practising vertical up lap on 4 mm sheet, I want to achieve a very neat finish that can be polished off and painted over, maybe a repair patch on the side of a boat cabin or similar job. So far I'm going for a 2.5 6013 zodian at 70 amps, and whip and pause, is this a good plan ?

I tried straight up but I just get a mess of pidgeon poo.The whip and pause is coming on, but needs to be tighter to smooth out the ripples, and slag inclusions.

 

[Liquid Metal]

Rather than wipping the rod in and out of the pool, try manipulating the rod in a shallow upside down u shape, holding into the sides of the weld for a second or two. Each time you go across from one side to the other, progress upwards by half a rod width or so.
Give this technique a go and see how it comes out??

 

[sardine]

That's OK for fillets, but there is no space to move the rod side to side on a 4 mm lap, and I want to avoid burning up the edge as much as I can.

I have seen it done, a very highly skilled welder did a job for me once, somehow he managed this 4 mm vertical lap without even burning off the edge, and that was with a battered ac buzzbox.

 

[wheresmejumper]

A very tight weave, or an oscillation, whichever it feels like to you, and the right travel speed will do it.
Speed is the harder part

 

[sardine]

I'm on a 2.5 zodian on 60 amps, I'm moving the electrode just up to the top of the puddle and back down in one fluid movement rather than whip and pause, its getting there.

I'll post a picture when I've got it consistent.