REMEDIES

• to control or cure defects

• to improve conditions
• Definition: A groove cut at the
toe of the weld and left
unfilled.

CAUSES REMEDIES
High amperage Lower the amperage
Electrode angle Use proper electrode angle
for each positions
Long arc length Properly maintain arc length
Rust Clean metal before welding
• Definition: Convexity of a fillet weld
which exceeds the specified
allowable limits

CAUSES REMEDIES
Slow travel speed Observe proper speed
Current too low Increase current rate
• Definition: When the face of the
weld extends beyond the toe of
the weld

CAUSES REMEDIES
Incorrect electrode angle Use proper angle for each
positions
Slow travel speed Increase travel speed
Amperage too low Increase amperage
• Definition: When the weld metal does not extend to
the required depth into the joint root

CAUSES REMEDIES
Low amperage Increase amperage
Fast travel speed Maintain correct speed
Slag flooding ahead of Adjust electrode or work
welding arc position
Weld joint too distant Make the joint close to each
other
• Definition: Where weld metal does not form a
cohesive bond with the base metal.

CAUSES REMEDIES
Insufficient heat input Increase amperage
Steep electrode angles Maintain proper electrode
position
Fast travel speed Decrease travel speed
Unclean base metal Clean weld surface
• Definition: Slag entrapped within the weld

CAUSES REMEDIES
Failure to remove slag Clean surface and previous
weld bead
Entrapped pieces of Use undamaged electrode
electrode covering
Low amperage Increase amperage or
preheat
Slow travel Increase travel speed
• Definition: Small particles of
weld metal expelled from the
welding operation which
adhere to the base metal
surface.
CAUSES REMEDIES
Amperage too high for Decrease amperage or select
electrode larger electrode
Arc length too long or voltage Reduce arc length or voltage.
too high
Severe electrode angles Observe proper electrode angle
• Definition: A crack that occurs after the metal has
completely solidified

CAUSES REMEDIES
Using wrong electrode for Use applicable electrode
the application type
High amperage Lower the amperage
• Definition: It appears often as dark round irregular spots
in clusters or rows. This is the result of gas attempting to
escape while the metal is still in a liquid state.
CAUSES REMEDIES
Dirty base metal Remove all grease, oil,
moisture, rust, paint,
coatings, slag, and dirt from
work surface before welding

Improper arc length, welding Change welding conditions

current, or electrode and techniques
manipulation
1. Large Spatter Deposits
2. Rough, Uneven Bead
3. Slight Crater During Welding
4. Bad Overlap
5. Poor Penetration
1. Fine Spatter
2. Uniform Bead
3. Moderate Crater
During Welding
4. No Overlap
5. Good Penetration Into
Base Metal
• Use a wire brush or grinder to remove dirt,
grime or rust from the area to be welded.

• Unclean conditions can lead to cracking,

porosity, lack of fusion or inclusions.
• Make sure you have a clean spot for the ground
clamp. A good, solid electrical connection is
important to maintain arc quality.

• Position yourself so you have good view of the

weld puddle. Keep your head off to the side
and out of the smoke so you can be sure you’re
welding in the joint.

• Make sure your stance will allow you to

comfortably support and manipulate the
electrode.
• Current setting
• Length of arc
• Angle of electrode
• Speed of travel
• Selection of electrode
Current setting is too low. The arc will stutter and the
electrode will be sticky. Low penetration on base
metal.
Current setting is too high. The puddle will be
excessively fluid and hard to control. This can lead to
excess spatter and higher potential for undercut.
The electrode glows because of too high amperage
setting.
• Holding the electrode too closely to the joint
decreases welding voltage, which creates an erratic
arc that may extinguish itself or cause the electrode
to freeze faster and produces a weld bead with a
high crown.
• Too long of an arc length will create excess spatter
in the weld joint. There is also a high potential for
undercut.
• Traveling too
slowly produces
a wide, convex
bead

• Slow travel speed will create too much weld

deposit.
• This can result in insufficient penetration.
• It can also focus the heat into the puddle and not
into the base material.
• Excessively fast
travel speeds
creates a concave
or recessed weld.

Traveling too fast will create a thinner/undersized

bead that will have more of a “V”- shaped ripple
effect in the puddle rather than a nice “U” shaped, or
“stacked dimes” effect.
Welding Techniques, Tricks and Tips to
Making Sound Quality Welds

Set Your Machine Right

Have a Clean Joint
Use the Right Technique
Comfort is the Golden Rule
• 1. Practice your welding technique.

• 2. Practice CLASS.

• 3. Practice even more.

The key to acquiring proficiency in any task is

repetition – Leonard Hofstadter (TBBTS8E8)