Overhead w SMAW- What works best for Y'all?

[Jeepin Welder]

HI

I'm doing some repair/mod work on an old trailer I purchased for my YJ, and I'm finding that I'm having some difficulty w doing overhead work. I'm having to add some plates to patch some rusty and damaged areas on some 2 X 4"- .125 thickness box beams, and although I have vertical and flat position beads licked w 1/8"- 6011 + 6013 rod, ( DCEP @ 110-120A w a Miller Thunderbolt XL 300/200 Box )I'm finding that the only way I can run a deccent looking bead is w 7018 rod. Does this sound right? I've ground the rust down to clean metal ( not too rusty where I'm welding) and I just can't get the 6011 & 6013 rods to leave a nice bead no matter what setting I use ( AC, DCEP or DCEN)

John

[BillC]

The obvious response is you should roll the trailer over and work in the flat. All three of the rods you listed should run fine overhead. I learned 6013 using DCEN. Hard to figure out why the 7018 would be any easier to run than the 6013...

What specifically is wrong with your welds?

[Jeepin Welder]

Well.. mostly operator error! I have a hard time controlling the deposition rate with the 6011/6013 rods, where the 7018 seems to let me put the metal down ( up ) more controllably. I've not praticed overhead at all in class, and rolling a 2 axle car carrier over is not an option unless you want to come over and give me a hand Most of the class course book only mentions using 7018 rod overhead using DCEP with a drag motion ( which is what I'm trying)

I guess I just have to do more overhead pratice- time to burn more rods!

Thanks Bill!

John

[BillC]

John,

OOPS... I guess I was envisioning a military style trailer that you would pull with your Jeep, not a tandem axle trailer FOR your Jeep.

Remember others lives may depend on your welds, and have fun!

[Sberry]

If you have an AC/DC machine someone ought to set the thing on DCRP and bust the fricken knob off and save yourself some greif. Electrode Positive for all overhead, or any welding with that machine except nickel. 7018 is fine and if you have DC 6010. 6011 works well too but there is no advantage in using it unless you are limited to AC. If you can do a fair job wih the 7018 go for it as even an amateur bird **** weld on mild steel stands a chance of doing the job. If I got to stick weld I actually like overhead best.

[Franz]

Shoot Sberry ya gotta take that Froggy mack out for a test drive anyhow, why don't you just head over and flip the trailer for the guy with the Hiab? Set it in a decent spot and show him how to use a gin pole to set it back on the wheels.
A couple jeeps a chain and 10 feet of pipe will flip about any tandem single car trailer.
I've personally taken to building them upside down whenever I can cause I'm tired of laying on the floor burning out ear wax.

[R. Nelson]

Originally posted by BillC
The obvious response is you should roll the trailer over and work in the flat. All three of the rods you listed should run fine overhead. I learned 6013 using DCEN. Hard to figure out why the 7018 would be any easier to run than the 6013...

What specifically is wrong with your welds?

7018 freezes fast, it is an excellent overhead rod.