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What technique to Weld Upside down??

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Feb 12, 2005.

  1. Feb 12, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,585
    On the trailer, i have most welds done, but the few that are on the bottom of the rails i just cant get there. I burned through it. What is the best way to stick weld these seems, and what is the best electrode to use??
     
  2. Feb 12, 2005
    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps

    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps A Parade of One

    Brentwood, Tennessee
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2003
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    120
    First I must say I am not a welder, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn.

    Is your buzz box AC only or AC/DC?

    If you have the option choose DC. 6011 or 6013 are all position electrodes
     
  3. Feb 12, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    Mar 30, 2004
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  4. Feb 12, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    That is a really good article. wish i could see the pics though. I was looking for info online for welding, but i guess it is called overhead, rather than upside down welding ;)

    I only have an AC welder. :(

    Thanks!!
     
  5. Feb 12, 2005
    gte636p

    gte636p Member

    smyrna, Ga
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    492
    i'll second the above. my cage looks right nice from the top, but the parts people acutally see are booger welds all over the place. if you can flip it over somehow (like say use that bellview i think i remember yout alking about) it would be a whole lot smoother in the long run.

    as for technique, i tend to go for sitting underneith it and looking upwards toward what i'm welding... but off to the side slightly so it drops down my shirt sleeve or on my hand. not wearing gloves only adds to the atmosphere.
     
  6. Feb 12, 2005
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    6011 with the 'Stacked Dime' Tech for over head and vertical up. I only had an AC Stick welder until last year. This allows you to get a little hotter to get good penatration and not burn through.
     
  7. Feb 13, 2005
    cj-dano

    cj-dano New Member

    phoenix
    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2004
    Messages:
    13
    it might be kind of hard to find in your area,but give it a try,7018 AC.its made for AC machines.make sure it says "AC",if it sthe regular 7018 it wont work as it should! it might be hard to find but it is out there.go with 3/32,hope that helps.
    Dan
     
  8. Feb 13, 2005
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2003
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    605
    Yup, 6011 or 13 --are you using 1/8" rod? I was struggling with Putt Putt's DC onboard welder because my rod was too small and blobbed off (welding term) due to heat melting the coating too fast (base metal too cold). I took it for granted that it wasn't powerful enough to use 1/8" rod. I was wrong and found the 1/8" heats the base faster and melts the rod slower but you have to speed up or do short "bursts"

    So, what they said above... essentially do a series of short hot "spot" weld bursts and stack em'. I like 6013 and 6011 the best. 7018 lays down nice but I don't think I ever welded overhead with this rod.
     
  9. Feb 13, 2005
    blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Portland Tn.
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    4,348
    6011 or 6013 are all position electrodes!

    WERD
     
  10. Feb 13, 2005
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
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    Sep 10, 2003
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    2,084
    use dc neg for out of position (anything but flat). i find that going slight colder (100 amp on 1/8 rod [instead on normal 125]) works better for me.
     
  11. Feb 17, 2005
    msbweiland

    msbweiland Member

    Yakima, WA
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2002
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    80
    Overhead welding is a learned teqnique (kind like spelling). I used to clamp a chunk of plate to my welding table and lay on my back to practice.
    Don't attempt it without the proper gear. Use a welding coat, gloves, helmet, and some sort of ear protection (slag/spatter hurts progressevly worse the farther into your ear it goes).
    Any of the rods mentioned will work well. The hardest part of overhead welding is knowing when you're going too fast or too slow. That is why I would at least practice first.
    Flipping the trailer over would be the best way to insure a good bead if you have the means.
     
  12. Mar 17, 2005
    Monkeyman

    Monkeyman Jeeper and Fast Boater

    East Troy WI
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    Jan 8, 2003
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    75
    I would, as stated earlier, go with the 7018. Do not just flip it over, becouse you are only cheating yourself. Not everything is capable of being flipped. We use 7018 for about 97% of our welding at work (mostly structual, on concrete wall panels) and it is a great rod. Less likely to burn through than the 6011. Also I would start about 90's -100 amps. Start low and practice on something about the same gauge. Good luck. Zach
     
  13. Mar 20, 2005
    Hill

    Hill Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2004
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    142
    You fella's are amazing. I have had limited sucess in this area. I can stick two pieces together this way, but it ain't pretty. 6011 is fast freeze, and I don't like using that rod, except when necessary. 6013 is a nice compromise, I have used lots of it. My all around answer for overhead welding (if metal isn't too thick) is MIG.

    I can even run a fairly even bead overhead with this little welder.
    I will admit that the stick is WAY stronger, and you can actually get penetration. I still like my little miller 130.....

    -Hill
     
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