I finally asked an old-timer about his gouge welds at the shop Friday

He told me he runs his amps way lower than textbooks say and just takes slower passes. It clicked for me after burning through 3 coupons trying to copy him. Anyone else find their mentors breaking the 'rules' like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

jenny5801mo agoTop Commenter

Honestly I'm not sure it's that deep. Running lower amps and taking slower passes is just basic stuff you figure out after burning through a few pieces of metal. Textbooks give you a starting point, not the final answer. Sounds like you were just overthinking it and needed to get some heat in your hands like the rest of us. Not really breaking the rules, just adjusting for real world conditions.

the_uma1mo ago

Funny you mention that @jenny580, because I used to side with the textbook crowd until I watched a guy lay down a perfect bead with his machine cranked way down from what I thought was 'right'. Now I'm a believer that rules are just guidelines you break once you know why they exist.