Message to Tim B from MA

I got a chance to weld some 16ga metal with 3/32 6013 today, and I finally got it just right. I was in one of the booths supplied by a Miller 8-pack at the Community College; the welder was set for 50 amps DC. The method that worked was to run the bead fast, dragging the rod right on the joint, no side to side movement at all. I burned through a few times before I got the speed up, but after that, not once. When I was done I clamped the piece into a vise with the weld barely above the jaws and bent it over with a big hammer. The weld was completely sound.

I felt that it would have gone even better if I'd had some kind of guide to hold the rod against to keep it directly on the joint because visibility is an issue. A copper bar would be ideal as a guide, but aluminum might work. I'll try that next time I'm there if I remember it.

All the best, Stan

Glad to hear of your success. Since I got the auto dark helmet and can start the 6013 easily as low amps, welding that thin stuff is actually fun.

As far as weaves go ... I was just welding straight beads just as you did, and basically have the tip of the rod nearly touching the steel. Using some sort of guide may be worth a try. Let me know how it works out.

Tim