Cover pass on 8"pipe

by Joshua
(Louisiana)

HI,I just started my tig welding at school.I am welding 8"pipe in the 1G rotated position.I just started last week and have caught on to walking the cup fairly easy,but I am still lacking penetration on the right side of my cover pass.

What is the correct method for spreading enough filler metal?

I am using 1/8" filler rods.

I am pretty much picking up the rod and dobbing it 3 times to try and get from one side to the other.Should I leave my filler rod in the center of the weld?

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I usually leave it in the puddle for a joint like this and push a little extra rod in as the puddle will take it.