Q&A: Stainless Steel MIG Welding with Compact Welders
Aug 6, 2011, By Tom MyersCompensating for stainless steel’s material characteristics makes the job effective...
Q&A: Weldability of Free Machining Grades of Steel
Jun 28, 2011, By Tom MyersSulfur, phosphorus, and lead present specific challenges for process and material selection ...
Self-Shielded vs. Gas-Shielded Flux-Cored Electrodes
May 25, 2011, By Tom MyersExplaining FCAW processes, and the reasons for using shielding gas with them...
Selecting and Using Stainless Steel Electrodes
May 7, 2011, By Tom MyersChoosing between “H” and “L”, and understanding coating types...
DC vs. AC Polarity for SMAW
Apr 29, 2011, By Tom MyersHow does polarity influence process?...
Understanding ESO versus CTWD
Mar 20, 2011, By Tom MyersWhat is “electrode extension,” what is “contact tip to work distance,” and how far should the contact tip be recessed in the gun nozzle?...
Do Not Use Shielding Gas with FCAW-S Electrodes
Mar 8, 2011Shielding gas is not necessary for FCAW-S wire, and should not be used because it wil block the arc from the air and prevent oxidization...
Gas Marks on FCAW Process Welds
Feb 17, 2011, Tom MyersGas Marks on FCAW Process Welds...
Kevin Knows: How Much Wire? How Much Gas?
Jan 27, 2010Simple math can help shops estimate the amounts of welding wire and shielding gas to specify for a job...
Pre-Calculating Wire-Feed Speed, Travel Speed, and Voltage
Nov 1, 2009Q: We would like to decrease the development time for new MIG welds. Is there a way to pre-calculate wire-feed speed, travel speed and voltage, to get us close before we strike the first weld?...
Post-Weld Stress Relief and Filler Metal Selection
Sep 1, 2009Q: I need to repair a shaft made of AISI 4340. I need to weld an AISI 4130 shaft to a 1018 pipe. I need to fix a crack on an AISI 4140 plate. Which electrode...
Avoiding Weld Distortion on Thin Sheet
Jul 1, 2009, Ken Lee and Kevin BeardsleyQ: When we weld on thin sheet metal or stainless steel, the parts often end up warped. We tried clamping all the pieces down before welding. When we remove...
Welding Wear Plates; Understanding SWPS
May 1, 2009, Ken LeeQ: We are trying to weld Hardox 400 pads (50mm thick) to a mild steel plate. We have switched from the SMAW (Stick) process to GMAW (MIG/MAG) process....
Barton's Q&A: Arc gouging aluminum is not a standard practice
Jan 1, 2009Q: I am looking at generating a full penetration weld to splice two aluminum plates, and I am considering using arc gouging. Can this be done? A: Air...
Barton's Q&A: welding stainless steel with stick and GMAW processes
Nov 1, 2008Q: I need advice on doing a weld procedure for A335 P1 stainless steel to 2205 duplex stainless steel. This is strictly for external fillet welds. Composition...
Welding galvanized steel
Oct 1, 2008Q: I have a fabrication shop and have been having difficulty welding some galvanized steel. I have been told to use a stainless steel welding electrode...
Trying to weld 2024 Al is not worth the trouble
Sep 1, 2008Q: Can 2024 aluminum be welded to 6061 aluminum? A: 2024 aluminum is limited in its weldability, was intended for mechanical fastening and is considered...
Welding zirconium, part 2
Aug 1, 2008Editor's Note: The first part of Barton's Q&A column is a response to a question Dave answered in May. We usually use such letters in a separate part...
Repairing an impeller
Jul 1, 2008Q: We have to weld repair the vanes of a sea water pump impeller and would like to get some advice or procedure regarding this weld. The impeller is made...
Correct Electrode Selection is Key to Welding Out of Position
Jun 1, 2008, By Dave BartonI am a welding instructor at the local technical college and have been welding for 30+ years. As part of the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) courses, we teach welding with E309L stick electrodes in all positions...
Welding zirconium requires care and attention
May 30, 2008, Dave BartonI would like to know what steps I need to take to properly weld zirconium, and what gas to use, pure argon or helium gas?...
Welding 4130 Steel to T1
Apr 18, 2008, Dave BartonQ: Is it possible to weld AISI 4130 to ASTM A514 (commonly called T1) material? If so, what would be the appropriate stick electrode? I have always tried...
Fixing an unacceptable weld
Mar 12, 2008, Dave BartonQ: If a weld between two pieces of steel is deemed unacceptable, is it acceptable to grind both pieces of steel flush and reapply the weld? More to the...
Joining Copper to Steel
Feb 13, 2008, Dave BartonQ: We need to join a -in. piece of copper to a 1-in. piece of steel. We prefer to use gas metal arc welding, and would like to know the correct filler...
