Summary of Tips How to Pass a 1G Stick Test

Key Welding Strategies and Tips for Passing a 1G Stick Test

• Preparation and Setup:
  • Use a 3x6 inch A36 steel plate with a 22.5° bevel on each side for a 45° included angle.
  • Maintain a root opening of about 1/4 to 5/16 inch.
  • Use a backing strip (1 inch wide by 1/4 inch thick for destructive tests; wider backing required for radiograph tests).
  • Clean mill scale off the backing strip and plate edges before welding.
  • Use SMAW E7018 electrodes (e.g., eSAB 70 18-1 prime rods recommended for smooth arc starts).
• Welding Sequence and Technique:
  • Plan a multi-pass welding sequence:
    1. Root pass: burn edges and melt into backing strip.
    2. Fill passes: multiple passes to build up weld metal, maintaining 50% coverage overlap.
    3. Cap passes: three bead cap to finish, ensuring about 1/8 inch reinforcement.
  • Use a 90° work angle and a 10° travel angle.
  • Practice intentional stop and start techniques at the root pass to demonstrate control.
  • Alternate restart points to avoid stacking stops in one area.
  • Use a slight oscillation if the gap is larger to ensure full fusion.
  • Maintain a consistent arc length and travel speed to avoid undercut and excessive buildup.
• Visual Aids and Quality Control:
  • Use soapstone to mark the toe of the previous weld pass to guide electrode placement.
  • Draw travel speed indicators to maintain consistent puddle coverage.
  • Ensure weld bead is flat and uniform with no lack of fusion or porosity.
  • Keep reinforcement flush to 1/8 inch maximum.
  • Check for and avoid undercutting by controlling arc length and travel speed.
  • Use run-on and run-off tabs on either side of the weld to ensure smooth start and finish.
• Additional Tips:
  • Rotate or flip the plate to even out weld height.
  • Don’t rush the weld; slow and steady travel speed is key.
  • If visibility is poor, adjust your head position to better see the weld puddle.
  • Clean slag between passes but avoid over-cleaning that might damage the weld.
  • Practice stop/start and restarts frequently to build confidence.
• Product Recommendation:
  • eSAB 70 18-1 prime welding rods are highlighted for their excellent arc initiation and smooth weld characteristics.
• Community Engagement:
  • Viewers are encouraged to share their own tips or words of wisdom in the comments to help others overcome test anxiety and improve technique.

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Presenters / Sources:

• Welding instructor (unnamed) from the YouTube channel "Well Calm"
• eSAB (welding rod manufacturer, product featured)

Notable Quotes

— 18:33 — « This stuff practically is gonna lay itself in there, it's very very smooth. »

— 20:13 — « This is by far the smoothest starting electrode I've used when it comes to 7018. I'm not even kidding, it's got some sort of graphite covering on the tip, it just, it's great for arc initiation. »

Category

Wellness and Self-Improvement

Video