This document summarizes Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) techniques. It describes different types of weld beads, such as stringer and weave beads, and weld passes like root, fill, and cover passes. It outlines techniques for various weld positions including flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead. It provides guidance on travel speed, electrode placement, arc length and work/drag angles to control weld penetration, dilution and bead shape. It also covers topics like joint preparation, restarts and crater fills.

1. SMAW Welding Techniques

2. Weld Bead
• A weld resulting from a pass
Stringer Bead
Weave Bead

3. Passes
• Weld Pass - A single progression of welding along a joint. The result of a pass
is a weld bead or layer

4. Root Pass Hot Pass
Fill Pass Cover Pass

5. Techniques
• Stringer (drag) (whip)
• Weave
– Circles
– crescent
– zig zag
– box weave
– double J

6. Progression (vertical)
• Up
– deeper penetration
– Higher deposit rate (lb/hr)
– Use near 90 degree travel angle or slightly up
• Down
– faster (point to point)
– less penetration for thin metal
– less dilution
– Use steep grag angle

7. Travel Speed
• Stay on the leading edge of the puddle

8. Flat Position
• Fillet/Groove - stringer or weave, split bead or wide weave

9. Horizontal
• Fillet/Groove - stringers (small weave may be used in tight
place)
• Bead Placement - bottom to top

10. Vertical
• Fillet/Groove - weave (or whip but not straight stringers)
• Root pass 6010 whip
• Root pass 7018 straight stringer or weave (open closed)

11. Overhead
• Same as horizontal for Fillets
• 6010 open root whip for flat face and
keyhole control
• 7018’s stringers
• OH Butt Joints can be stringers or weaves

12. Dimensions
• Reinforcement -ASME flush 1/16 AWS flush 1/8
discuss keyholeing, metallic backing, nonmetallic
backing, partial penetration, root openings, root
faces, tacking, tack grinding, fast freeze, and fill
freeze
• Fill -as many as needed 1/8 per pass flat overload
3/16 vertical
• Cover -flush 1/16 high, 1/16 past edge

13. 600
included angle
Root faces
Tacking
Feather Tacks
Butt Joint Preperation
1/16-1/8
(Joints without backing)

14. Open Root Technique
• Use root opening to allow increase in
amperage for smoother welding
• Whip backwards for penetration
• Whip forwards to reduce penetration
• Do Not Weave a root pass.
• Maintain a short arc gap
• Stay slightly in front of the puddle at all
times. Use the keyholing technique.

15. Root faces - 0
450
included angle
Remove all mill scales and rust
Tacking - not in groove
Tack away from coupon area.
Flush on backing
Butt Joint Preperation
(With Backing)

16. Welding grooves with Backing
• Keep the root opening wide
• Make the root pass in one bead
• Avoid tight areas at the weld toes

17. Restarts
•Stagger all starts and stops or use run-on, run-off tabs
•Feather all restarts & start on top, or start in front and
remelt
•Don’t restart in a coupon area.
•Also stagger all beads on a single pass.
•Use a longer arc length when starting a weld.
Compare interpass grinding
techniques vs. techniques for
no interpass grinding.

18. Craters
• Fill craters by reversing direction at the
weld end
• Use a short arc length to control heat.

19. Electrode Work Angles
450
300
700

20. work angle (transverse angle)
• middle of joint
• directs heat between sides
• may need to direct more on
heavy plate

21. Transverse Angle Effects

22. Drag Angle increases Penetration
Increases crown height
Push Angle gives shallow
penetration, and flattens out
the weld surface.
Electrode Travel Angles

23. Electrode (arc) Placement
Current takes the path of least resistance. Therefore,
the arc, and resulting weld, will go where the
electrode end is closest to, NOT NECESSARILY
IN THE DIRECTION THE ELECTRODE IS
POINTING

24. Arc Length
•Longer arc lengths = increased puddle heat, flatter welds,
deeper penetration
•Shorter arc lengths = less puddle heat, flatter welds, less
penetration
•Use arc length to control puddle size, penetration, and burn
through.
•Normal arc length is 1/16” - 1/8”
•Use a slightly longer arc length during a start or restart.

25. Helpful Tips
•Clean your Welding Hood lens
•Drape the cable over your shoulder or knee
•Get Comfortable
•Watch the puddle, not the arc
•Concentrate on steady travel speed and arc length

26. SMAW Machine Setup
• DCEP (also called Direct Current Reverse Polarity)
• 77 - 150 Amp Range
• #5 fine amperage setting (approximately 110 amps)
• Connect work lead
• Set for Constant Current (Variable Voltage)

27. Amperage Calculations
Range: 77 - 150
Fine tune dial: 0 - 10
Desired amperage: 105 amps
150 - 77 = 73
73 / 10 = 7.3
7.3 x 6 = 43.8
43.8 + 77 = 120.8
150 - 77 = 73
73 / 10 = 7.3
105 - 77 = 28
28 / 7.3 = 3.836
Range: 77 - 150
fine tune dial: 0 - 10
dial set at: 6

28. Do SMAW Pipe Welding Techniques Lecture Now