Welding overhead

[walrus]

I need some tips on welding over head. AC or DC, what rod, etc? I have a crack on one of the arms on my front end loader and its on the underside. I could take the arm off but rather do it on if I could

 

[speed bump]

Buy or wear leathers thats the most important thing I can think of, weld spatter when it burns through you shirt in the middle of a bead really hurts.

As far as rod and voltage type I would weld it 6010/11 root and 7018 cover DC but thats just my fitter background.

 

[toxicz28]

Weld DC straight polarity. Pay attention to the electrode numbers for whatever you use. First two numbers designate tensile strength, eg 70 = 70,000 psi. Third number designates position 1 is all position. And a combination of the third and fourth numbers is the flux composition. Not sure what electrodes you are used to welding with though. Me personally, would use a 1/8" ER7018 electrode running about 120 amps. (just the ironworker in me)
You are also going to want to a) groove out the crack, and b) drill a 1/8" hole at each end of the crack before you weld otherwise the crack could spread after the repair is complete.
Good luck with your repair.

 

[Cuda]

Good advice. I would also add... wear something over your ears.
I knew a guy years ago doing some overhead welding and had some slag drop in his ear and...... well you can imagine the pain and damage it caused.

 

[Chuckw]

Bend the rod at a 45 so you are not directly under you work. You loose some rods from flux falling off, but it gives you better position IMHO.

 

[Torque1st]

That crack must be a stress point. I would recommend taking the arm off and having a professional check it over and weld it.

 

[sberry]

DC reverse for overhead. There is almost no reason to change the machine to any other setting from this except in rare work with very light sheet or the occasional use of nickle on AC. Try not to carry so big of puddle which leads to drooping. 6011, 6010 and 7018 are the standard rods for this work, very important to learn the proper operating technique for them. 10 and 11 operate differently than 18. A couple of lessons pays well to get off on the right foot.
The last couple demonstrate open **** or crack fill, first one vert and last overhead. Each ripple is a stroke. 3rd and 4th pics are overheads.

 

[walrus]

That crack must be a stress point. I would recommend taking the arm off and having a professional check it over and weld it.

Its a 57 ford with a kelly loader I'm going to try to weld myself and keep an eye on it.

Thanks for all the tips, keep them coming if you have something to add

 

[toolfreak]

Overhead is about the same as welding flat except for the sparks falling on you.

 

[sberry]

Out of position is similar to welding flat but technique is a bit fussier and less forgiving, arc length, travel speed and heat settings.

 

[jsaw]

Overhead is about the same as welding flat except for the sparks falling on you.

My thought exactly. I was going to say the same as welding flat except the sparks fly up at you.

 

[Torque1st]

I have done a bit of overhead welding. It is NOT easy. Try running some beads overhead on some scrap stock. If you are not an accomplished welder then let a pro do it or at least remove the arm so you can prep it and weld on it flat. I may be wrong, but from your questions and answers I don't think you are an accomplished welder. Welding something like this is not for a novice.

Please don't shoot the messenger.

 

[walrus]

Please don't shoot the messenger.

I won't

I found a crack on the other side also so I'm going to take the arms off where I can get at it easier. I'm definitely not an accomplished welder, I can stick stuff together but could never get good results overhead which I why I asked the questions

 

[Torque1st]

Once the arms are off it would be easy to take them to a pro. I can stick stuff together nowadays although at one time I was real good. Now I can't see well enough and I shake too much to do stick even with two hands and half sticks. I am thinking about selling my stick welder and buying a little 230V FC/MIG.

 

[pgreen]

TIG! I have never really been able to use a stick welder.....

 

[Art From De Leon]

Once the arms are off it would be easy to take them to a pro. I can stick stuff together nowadays although at one time I was real good. Now I can't see well enough and I shake too much to do stick even with two hands and half sticks. I am thinking about selling my stick welder and buying a little 230V FC/MIG.

I thought I was the only person to have both those problems.

 

[i4ni]

You can buy magnifier lenses for your hood. To keep sparks out Pipe line Welders put cotton and a dime in their up-hill ear, then turn their welders cap so the bill covers that same ear also.

 

[welderwink]

a key to welding overhead is to keep the arc length short. the tighter you keep your rod to the base metal the less **** falls out. also throw a slight left to right to left (and on and on) motion into it on your 7018 welds. I just dont try to correct the natural shake that my hand has. personally i think overhead is fun, its just that people get scared of it.

 

[Torque1st]

It is cool to watch the look on people's faces when they see someone welding overhead with all the sparks showering down over them.

 

[sberry]

Just pictures.