Undercut on horizontal welds

[BillC]

In my welding class we are building up plates with horizontal beads starting from the bottom and working up. We are using 1/8 6012 and 6013 rods at 110 amps.

I am tying the beads together well but there is always a lot of undercut at the top of each bead. How do I reduce or eliminate this undercut?

Thanks!

[Dan]

Bill

110 amps is probably a little to high of a setting. Try dropping down to a 100 amps or maybe even close to 90 amps. I m assuming you aren t welding straight at the plate, so you might need to drop your rod angle some more and use the force of the arc to push your weld metal up. Just a couple of ideas to try. Good luck.

[Rocky D]

Yeah, Bill, do all that Dan said, and also you close up your arc, (keep the rod closer to the work) and vary your speed till you find just the right pace. Sometimes I will use a whipping motion, too. Depends on the situation.

[BillC]

Thanks Dan and Rocky!

I tried reducing the current and it helped quite a bit. I was only angled in the direction of travel, not pointing up... I will try that next time.

I have now moved to 6010 rods in the flat position. Boy, they are much different than the 6012. VERY sensitive to arc length... I ended the night with a decent bead, and will do much better Tuesday night!

Thanks again for the advice!

[Dan]

Bill
No matter the position with 6010 I use a whipping motion. If I weld on thicker material in the vertical position ( travel upward) that ends up requiring a weave pass, I use a box weave with 6010. Just adding some info that might help you.