Good weld quality and weld profile depends on gun angle, direction of travel, electrode extension
(stick out), travel speed, thickness of base metal, wire feed speed and arc voltage. To follow are some
basic guides to assist with your setup.
Gun Position - Travel Direction, Work Angle: gun position or technique usually refers to how the wire is
directed at the base metal, the angle and travel direction chosen. Travel speed and work angle will
determine the characteristic of the weld bead profile and degree of weld penetration
Push Technique: the wire is located at the leading edge of the weld pool and pushed towards the
un-melted work surface. This technique offers a better view of the weld joint and direction of the wire
into the weld joint. Push technique directs the heat away from the weld puddle allowing faster travel
speeds providing a flatter weld profile with light penetration - useful for welding thin materials.
The welds are wider and flatter allowing for minimal clean up / grinding time.
Perpendicular Technique: the wire is fed directly into the weld, this technique is used primarly for
automated situations or when conditions make it necessary. The weld profile is generally higher and a
deeper penetration is achieved.
Drag Technique: the gun and wire is dragged away from the weld bead. The arc and heat is
concentrated on the weld pool, the base metal receives more heat, deeper melting, more
penetration and the weld profile is higher with more build up.
Travel Angle
- Travel angle is the right to left angle relative to the direction of welding.
A travel angle of 5°- 15° is ideal and produces a good level of control over the weld pool. A travel
angle greater that 20° will give an unstable arc condition with poor weld metal transfer, less
penetration, high levels of spatter, poor gas shield and poor quality finished weld.
