I have to weld a bracket onto the bottom of my frame rail whilst laying on my back on the floor. I do ok welding flat or vert, but I've never done overhead. Bracket is 1/4" steel, frame rail is boxed and somewhat thinner. Besides not letting the splatter fall in my face or down my sleeves, can anybody give me any pointers? Thanks!
Turn the wire speed and voltage up a little bit to make it weld right. If the frame is thinner then i would weld on the 1/4 inch plate and drag the weld onto the frame so you dont blow thru it. good luck! Its always worked good for me that way!!
Yeah what he said... just watch the puddle if to much metal is falling off yor frame just turn up the wire speed. i always judge by the sparks falling.
Working on exhaust for years I`m gonna tell you the most important thing is to not be directly under what your welding! Hold your arm out straight and do not bend it at the elbow as this will allow a good home for any falling weld to settle in. As stated above put most of your heat on the thicker metal & let the puddle flow to the thinner stuff.
Something many people don't think of, but use ear plugs! A piece of molten metal down your ear canal can do real damage.
My first wire-feed gave me fits that way. Then I stepped up to a little miller-matic. 130. It has this dandy polarity switch on it. Hit the "Reverse Polarity" switch and the molten metal stays on your work much better..
Thanks guys. My mig didn't have a reverse polarity switch, but for me the key was wire speed. I just dialed it up a couple of clicks and it made a huge difference. I tend to like it slow as possible so I can move my hands slowly and see what I'm doing, but for upsidedown speed is key!
I know this is going to sound too easy, but here it goes. I had tons of trouble welding overhead and then during a Tig class I asked the instructor who spent the entire day Mig welding about the overhead position. I was told the puddle will react just like it always does. People just tend to go too slow because they are worried. I tried it, and it worked great. Get some scrap and put it overhead. Go as fast as you normally would and don't worry about the trailing puddle, it will cool fine. Just imagine you are welding right side up and don't change a thing. Also don't stand right under it and wear some protection, those are invaluable pieces of advise.
i've found the best results from getting my head as close to the weld to clearly see the molten pool and use one hand as a rest for the tip of the gun, for good control. and like the others said try not to be directly under the weld,and use the ear plugs, it only took me 43 times of hearing your ear skin sizzle before i started wearing them
Hey, And, as always, make damn sure you're dressed for welding...... No plastic ballcaps, worn sideways, or other wise, no jackets or shirts that have any polyester fabric in them, this shit will melt if it comes in contact with a spark/flame and cause serious burns! Have ya ever checked out a professional welders duds? They are made of 100 percent cotton, it ain't no fashion statement. Cotton is slow to burn compared to polyester. Swankey Devils C.C.
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