Mig Welding Downhill Problems

Mig Welding downhill is much easier and usually quicker than uphill.
But its not always the best way to go. for 1/4" and thicker, uphill welding is my choice. But Mill scale on Hot rolled steel can be a problem either way.

[Barrysworkshop]

I really love how you go between views of the molten puddle, the finished weld surface, and the etched joint. This is a great aid to understanding how what you see in the molten puddle relates to the strength of the weld. 

This isn't a substitute for practice, but it really helps me see what to look for in the puddle.

[rodyoung]

Thanks Jodie, now I can show people this instead of banging my head against the wall trying to get it though their heads how potentially weak a downhill joint can be.
Very well demonstrated in both the weld and the macro test.

[ddistrbd]

I'm becoming addicted to watching your videos, the best comment you made:"it doesn't matter how beautiful the weld looks, what matters is how well the penetration", applies so well in downhill welding, thanks for the tip: ( triangle /upward) , we forget what works best and try what's the easiest instead.

[bohelsted]

Thanks for another informative video, Jody. One year ago, i knew practically nothing about welding, started watcing your videos, bought an old esab 250 amp mig machine, and trained, trained, burnt my fingers (no tig finger yet!) and trained some more... since then i've welded tables for my workshop, decorative tables for my wife, changed the rear cross member on my car, and a lot more. Not that i'm a pro in any way, but your advice brought me forward a lot. My next project will be a rigid welding table. Its difficult to make anything straight on a dodgy concrete floor. Its funny, i hear your voice whenever i pick up the helmet and aim the gun: "watch the front of the puddle". ..."do cursive e's". Hey, it works!

[Abom]

Great information Jody. I've heard many car guys over the years say how good they can weld downhill. I also had the same thoughts about the penetration. You showed it first hand.

Adam

[metromoppet]

Hi Jody
Fantastic series!
I'm trying to get my workshop to buy all your videos to train our apprentices, but Man this is right up there with the best of them . thanks for your efforts, they're appreciated

[anthonycollucci]

Really glad you made this video. I build heavy duty equipment trailers. Mass production. And speed is the key. So I run really hot. No preparation on cold rolled steal. An a lot of down hill. Never get time to do test on welds. But this video has enlightened me. I’ve never had a trailer come apart yet. But just seeing this video makes me wonder.

[bleiddudd]

we use .045 where i work for everything from .250" to .125" downhill much of the time for irrigation system pipe, with Miller Axxess 300 accupulse machines running 90/10 gas and never have penetration issues. I think that i will try cross sectioning some scrap and see how well it is all the same anyway. Thank you for your time with these videos, have not done much SMAW or GTAW in recent years and it is fun to reminisce.

[RollingEasy]

I spent many years beginning with a small pocket computer, writing algorithms which produced 16 Ordinate lengths to create the templates for any type of cope and piping intersection. Any size, any schedule, any angle, any offset, concentric fit, negative eccentric, mirror images, Y fits, branch Set on, branch set in. etc. Absolutely everything and anything that needed a pattern to give a fit up and which would barely let daylight through. I began this challenge as a young welder when welding structural pipework on site. On construction. I spent most of my time welding (filling) 'daylight' from the shop fabrications with their average fit ups. That was just how it was but being lazy, I decided to set about to 'nail' the exact pattern needed for every conceivable fit up just to make life easier. It certainly did and 40yrs later it still does. Just thought I'd blow my own 'trumpet' for a minute... And I'm still learning even today from your excellent videos.... Big thanks.

[hibiki]

Great video. Very educational and informative.

We do a lot of downhill welding in the sheet metal trade, especially so in duct fabrication in shop. Dont have to worry much about penetration when your wall thicknesses range between 10-18 gauge.

[ieuanWM]

I'm on my last year of college and they always teach us to go up hill, I can see why now, great video

[eddiekvh]

Awesome video Jody. Liked very much the format of showing the welding action, the welding puddle, and the reveal of whats underneath. I will be glad if you make one like this with gtaw and thin tubing. Greetings from Brazil.

[DopeItUp]

Wow, this was eye-opening. Just found your channel and your attention to detail and thoroughness is impressive. Good to know that a good looking weld doesn't necessarily mean anything. I thought for sure that second-to-last weld with the heavier wire and bigger machine was gonna be perfect, but it was garbage.

[pughwv]

I have learned so much from your video's.
Thanks so much, keep up the great work.
I have 181i Thermal Arc for about 3 years, thanks to your video's I finally figured it out.
The door chart for flux core .035 is not even close. But the way you figure wire feed speed and voltage is perfect.

Thanks again,

[SteadArcFab_Ministries]

Great video Jody, I can’t wait to start cutting and etching! This is so cool how you can see the weld quality of the technique and settings just used! Thanks

[jeffsetera]

Great video, I love the sectioning, polishing and etching to really see the quality of the weld.

[eiclan]

Gday Jodie, I am with you on the thicker material and going up hill but will always move fast down hill with the thin RHS, rolled hollow section, furniture tube. I like a small pause on each side as I move up. As old welders are wont to say "more heat more Cheers Ross

[themadmailler]

The tubenotcher program is a lifesaver! i'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't used it....

[jimradix]

When I watch a video like this one Jody, it makes me question every weld I've ever done!!! (It's not a good feeling)

[geraldestes]

thanks jodi > the expert testimony and practice weld inspection(s) are just awesome incldng. the machine settings, bond materials, wires...the works > outstanding demo.