welding vertical up....

[bad_idea]

i recently bought a hobart handler 187. i set the machine to the settings called out on the label inside the machine and weld flat all day with good results. weld vertical down and it flows downward and looks good. i am not sure how strong the vertical down weld is, but it looks good. i tried welding vertical up and it just runs out and down. i did a google search and they talk about z patterns and triangles and blah blah blah. no one mentioned readjusting the machine tho. should i readjust the machine? i'm finding the easiest way to weld vertical up is to roll the piece onto it's side and weld flat. but i am thinking i will eventually run into the situation where i cannot roll something on it's side.

 

[Dale]

I have found a lot of useful info here: http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/.
Lots and lots of video with great instruction.

 

[zmotorsports]

Vertical up is a little more difficult to master but on thicker material is the best way to get good deep penetration. On thinner materials, ie 1/4" and under, vertical down works great and very little 'adjustments' need to be made.

When I am welding vertical up on thicker materials I generally set the machine with a little less wire speed than you would use on flat. Start on the side of the seam/joint and once arc starts and your puddle develops go to the opposite side of the joint about mid way across and let the puddle build and you can see the wire "bite" into the parent material.

Once the puddle is sufficient size move across the joint again to the opposite side and repeat the process. The puddles should not be seperate from each other but once the puddle size is reached and you move across and slightly upward it should be done fast enough to allow the molten metal to melt together.

Sorry it is kind of hard to explain but once you try a couple of times it will make sense and you will know exactly what I am talking about.


Sorry, on edit I forgot to mention to hold you gun at a slightly upward angle to use the arc force to push up on the puddle and make the wire bite into the parent material.

Mike.

 

[toolman1967]

Short answer....Point the head uphill a bit and run in a U pattern uphill ( The U pattern is going back and forth from side to side making U's in the process). Works for me and I dont have to readjust the speed or heat setting.

 

[Stick]

Yep, the biggest eye opener for me when learning uphill welding was to focus on the edges and let the center take care of itself. Kind of an ah-ha moment for sure.

 

[Stephenw]

Here is what I have come up with...

http://shopngarage.com/2011/06/gmaw-vertical-up/

 

[JimDon]

V U will separate the real welders from the wannabes.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

.... another little secret is you need to make your Z's or U's faster ... and point the arc up .... also with arc welding its the slagg that looks bad ... but after you chip it away ..the weld should be pretty strong.

Ron

 

[justanengineer]

V U will separate the real welders from the wannabes.

I disagree, overhead stick welding is my personal PITA, though that is more bc of the raining fire associated with welding thicker material.

If youre welding vertical up and you have problems with the weld flowing out at you then the puddle is simply getting too thick. Try moving a bit quicker or turning down the feed. If youre running a fat stringer bead you might also consider trying a weave if you need more width to compensate for running a thinner weave.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Look at your boot laces, that's the pattern with a pause at each hole. If it's still running it's too hot or dirty.

 

[bad_idea]

i think you hit the nail on the head frank, the metal is rusty. i know, i know. cleanliness next to godliness and so on. but i havent had much trouble welding the dirty metal flat. in this application, strength or appearance isn't as important so i got lazy. i didn't think it would affect the weld that bad tho. everyone else, good tips. thank you.

 

[SWT Racing]

I don't do SMAW, but some of the stuff they can do is amazing. I only do MIG and TIG, but it always amazes me.

A 3G weld with a MIG is a totally different animal. It's not something you just master right out of the gate. You're fighting gravity on the weld puddle. Additionally, just because a vertical down weld looks good, doesn't mean there is proper penetration. . .which goes for any weld.

I would practice with a **** weld both in vertical up and horizontal flat on some coupons and do a simple bend test in the vise and look at the penetration. Stick a piece of tape with the settings you find the best inside the door on your MIG so you can refer back to it for the future.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

My personal view is welding is an art and some have it and some dont ... dont beat yourself up ... first and formost you need to know the basic principles taugh either in school or trade school or union school then the basics are clear and you build from there.