Stick Welding 5f tube to plate 7018 5/32" electrode settings

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I got several requests for some 5/32" 7018 videos for structural welds so here is one for you.

Stick welding a tube to plate in the 5F position with 5/32" 7018.

5/32" 7018 are more difficult to run than 1/8" when making out of position welds like this.

Maintaining a tight arc length is key.

One thing that helps is if your welding machine has a feature called arc control or "dig" set it on a higher setting than normal while setting amperage at the lower end of the range for a 5/32" 7018.

The reason this helps is because arc control or "dig" setting is a feature that when set to a higher setting senses a drop in voltage when the arc gets tight and bumps the amperage up a bit.

This allows using a lower amperage without sticking the rod.

In this example, 145 amps was used with a 5/32" 7018 

the amperage range for a lincoln excalibur 5/32" 7018 is listed as 130-210 so 145 was at the lower end but still worked for this 5f tube to plate joint.

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WELD PROCESS = SMAW, SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING, STICK WELDING

METAL TYPE = CARBON STEEL 

THICKNESS = 3/8” TO 5/8"

WELD TYPE = FILLET

JOINT TYPE = TUBE TO PLATE

POSITION = 5F TUBE TO PLATE

AMPS = 145 AMPS

POLARITY = DCEP

ELECTRODE = 7018 5/32"

ADDITIONAL SETTINGS = ARC FORCE SET TO 10 TO PREVENT STICKING 

TIPS:SET THE AMPERAGE HOT ENOUGH TO NOT STICK THE ROD WHEN YOU HOLD A TIGHT ARC…THEN HOLD A TIGHT ARC.

DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS ELECTRODES REQUIRE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AMPERAGE SETTINGS.

TWEAK AMPS AND ADJUST ARC CONTROL TO FIT THE SITUATION