Failing at Arc Welding T-Joints

In this week's episode of #whatweweldinweekly I take on T-Joints. Historically I've struggled with this joint. And this episode is no exception. The Everlast 206Pi as good as it is, can't overcome this bad operator, haha! This is certainly a task I'm going to have to circle back around to in the future. But for now, I'll simply document where I landed on the task. Next week we move on to lap joints. So I guess this is a "how not to weld" episode.

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Gear I shot this with (paid links):

[EfurdGarage]

I struggle witg arc welding. We got some good arc welders here. Shame you couldnt come down here on a slow day and learn from them. We do some arc welded sink bowls and man these guys make it look good

[preppinglife]

Thanks for the comment! And yes I know who you were talking about LOL!

[SkyscraperGuitars]

Grant, there is probably a lot of opinion out there, so I hope this doesn't muddy the waters... I've always been a pull welder. I set up so the work is parallel to my shoulders. I pull from left to right. this means my head is on the left side of the rod so I can get close and see EXACTLY what is happening as the bead is forming... A lot of guys will look at the tip of the rod. Don't be that guy! Look at the puddle and watch how you cut in and stack up. There should be a wide amount of amperage that will give you a decent bead. Too cold should cause the bead to sit high, too hot will cause undercut on the edges. Rod size in relation to material thickness is also big factor. 3/16" rod on 1/4" material is good. Thinner material needs a thinner rod... not sure what you are using... Lastly, are you ac or dc? Both can weld in this position quite well, but they will produce slightly different feel... OK, one more... the angle that you are pulling can change a bit too. I think I use about 45 degrees. That seems to deposit metal pretty well. Too straight and you kill the puddle, to much angle and you''ll start to spray away from the puddle... I wish I was in KC to help.

[meh-canics]

I should look in my old school notes to see if theres any good tips in there for you

[RealWorldGarage]

Where are you storing your rods? The struggle is real for me too. I had gotten decent at stick welding several years ago a, God knows what my welds would look like now. The reason I ask where you keep your rods, is a guy I know that is a REAL welder, told me to keep my rods where they stayed warm, so they would stay dry. He said they’ll pull moisture right out of the air. So I used to leave my rods on top of my water heater, it constantly warm and it did seem to help my welds look better. He had a heater box that he kept his in. He could weld up the crack of dawn. 😂

[WillsWheels]

I haven't welded in 40 yrs and it's hard to see exactly what going on...on this side of the hood. I think you are trying to make the weld to wide at the speed you are welding. Keep the puddle centered in the space between the upper and lower portion (in the crack) and keep the circle smaller. Just try to lay a good bead and then you can then work on your technique of "stitching" the upper/lower portion together. I would also switch to a 7018 rod and if you want to make "dimes" use a 6010 rod. Don't you love it when other people spend your money. Hope you found this key board warrior expert helpful...LOL

[willr]

You should keep a quench bucket nearby. It would make your weld inspections much easier.

[novameno]

I get so frustrated arc welding. My neighbor makes it look so easy

[carsontheFritz]

What rod were you using? Keep at it man!

[greasyboykustoms]

I mediocre at stick welding haha. Your doing just fine my friend 🤘