How to Do Overlap String Beads in Arc Welding

When you're filling in a gouge or bevel in a flat piece of steel, you use stringer beads. When making a weld on a large area, you have to build the stringer beads up a layer at a time to fill it in completely. This requires multiple layers of overlapping beads to complete the job.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Run your first set of stringer beads by puddling the first bead, then stop and clean off the slag and wire brush the bead to provide a clean surface for the next bead. Overlap about half of the first bead with the second, and stop again to thoroughly clean the new bead. Continue to stop and clean each stringer bead to prepare it for the next, overlapping all the way to the end.

2. Begin the second layer of stringer beads by puddling a bead on top of the start of your first layer. Clean the new bead, then lay a second bead overlapping about half of the first new bead.

3. Stop and clean the slag off the second new bead, then lay a third new bead in the same way.

4. Continue this process of puddling and overlapping one bead at a time, cleaning before puddling the next, until the second set of stringer beads is complete. Make as many layers as necessary to fill the entire area.

5. Work methodically and clean thoroughly to get a solid, clean weld with no defects.

Tips & Warnings

• Slag is a by-product of the welding process, composed mainly of oxides. Trapping slag in a weld results in a weak weld. That's why its important to clean it off thoroughly before continuing to weld.

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