2 videos with Tips for Stick Welding Uphill with 7018

Back to Basics Vertical Uphill Welding with 7018 Stick rods

Ever heard me talk about CLAMS?

CLAMS is simply a way to remember the key factors that go into stick welding vertical uphill.

While CLAMS can be applied to any arc welding process, this page is focussed on uphill stick welding with 7018

C IS FOR CURRENT

current covers polarity, amperage, voltage, along with hot start and arc control settings. Most Stick rods are designed for DCEP but some run well on all polarities.

L IS FOR LENGTH OF ARC

Usually an arc length the same as electrode diameter works well. Arc length is pretty forgiving on flat and horizontal welds but needs to be much tighter for vertical and overhead welding 

A IS FOR ANGLE OF ELECTRODE

Fortunately, rod angle can be very forgiving provided arc length is tight enough. Welders get into all sorts of positions where textbook rod angles just cant be used.

M IS FOR MANIPULATION OF ELECTRODE

Sometimes a simple drag with no manipulation is called for but often times a slight manipulation can help bead profile.

S IS FOR SPEED OF TRAVEL

Too fast a travel speed often results in undercut

Too slow a travel speed often results in excess heat input and bead convexity or excessive bead reinforcement.

Uphill welding with 7018 uses less amperage than flat or horizontal and travel speed is slower than flat or horizontal.

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