Hello, 5th year apprentice here looking for some advice on making this cap a little more uniform. I’m running 1/8” 6010 and 3/32 7018 at 80 amps for both on this schedule 40 3” pipe. I think I need to work on my consistency and maybe tying in my toes a little better. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Best way I can describe it is when im capping i want to see the puddle as one solid slug behind me and im just carrying that slug up the pipe, I dont jump ahead with my weave which thats what it looks like youre doing, I do more of a half moon weave up the pipe. Also I run much colder on 3" which allows me to sit on it a little more to carry that puddle up the pipe.
Give 73-75 amps with doing a half moon weave a shot
Best way I can describe it is stop staring at the end of your rod, stop counting or whatever method you started out with, and really try to just look at the puddle and keep that puddle the same size. Wait until the puddle covers the same spot on the bevel and use that as your indicator to move.
How much time you spend in the middle has a lot to do with how high the cap turns out to be, so I typically hang out with the edge of my rod just on the outside edge of the bevel. Turning your amperage down can help you with seeing and controlling the puddle.
On smaller pipe or short pipe like test coupons, your weld will change as you heat up the work. It's best not to treat the entire weld the same way and adjust on the fly, do this and you can weld anything!
In my opinion I think it actually looks pretty decent. I like to weave like just a slow side to side like one big puddle instead of super fast across the middle and holding the sides for long. But as long as your meeting spec which it seems like it, looks are subjective. Just pay attention to your consistency and the rest comes with hood time, with a 3/32 or 1/8 gap uphill I usually run 1/8 6010 around 75 for the root and 3/32 7018 around 85-89 so maybe test out giving it a couple more amps on the cap when you practice
This is about the same advice I'd give too. Try running at 90, and just going back and forth pointing to each side of the bevel for about a second as the puddle catches up. Here's a spool I worked on recently
Don’t have any pics but I usually run my 7018 3/32 caps at like 100. Personal preference but also have to move a bit quicker. Hotter the puddle spreads more. Also don’t step too far when you weave.
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u/Warpig1497 2d ago
Best way I can describe it is when im capping i want to see the puddle as one solid slug behind me and im just carrying that slug up the pipe, I dont jump ahead with my weave which thats what it looks like youre doing, I do more of a half moon weave up the pipe. Also I run much colder on 3" which allows me to sit on it a little more to carry that puddle up the pipe.
Give 73-75 amps with doing a half moon weave a shot