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Step 1
Select the steel to weld, if possible. Ideally, the steel should be plain carbon steel with less than 1 percent carbon, less than 0.1 percent silicon and less than 0.035 percent sulfur.
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Step 2
Choose the joint position based on the thickness of the metal. This angle should be lower for thicker metal with a 45- to 75-degree angle being best for 10- to 18-gauge steel, whereas a flat angle is needed for any steel thicker than 3/16 inch.
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Step 3
Ensure that the joint geometry is correct. The width of the weld should be consistent for the entire joint. The beveling should be sufficient for a good bead shape and penetration. The root opening should be sufficient for full penetration and a backup strip should be used for a fast good quality weld.
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Step 4
Clean the joint before welding to attain the best travel speed. If this is not possible, an E6010 or E6011 electrode should be used to penetrate the contaminants down to the base metal.
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Step 5
Use the largest electrode that is practical. This is generally 3/16 inch for overhead and vertical welding while 5/32 inch is usually the maximum size for low hydrogen applications.
