Practical Welding Today - May/June 2009

READERS’ FORUM
Whipping and weaving

If whipping and weaving [GMAW techniques] are so bad, why does the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology teach that method? [Arc Welding 101, “Negatives to whipping and weaving,” January/February, p. 34]

Tyrone Gasper

Lab Technician Ansonia, Ohio

1988 graduate of Hobart Institute of Welding Technology

Editor’s Note: Paul Cameron provided this response to Mr. Gasper:

I asked Elmer Swank, technical training instructor at HIWT and former columnist for Practical Welding Today, about the technique of whipping and weaving in GMAW. His response was very similar to the comments

I made in my article. He noted that a slight weave would be common for GMAW vertical-up, but that would be the only acceptable time. As for whipping, he stated it is not a technique taught at the institute. It is, in fact, a work habit that is greatly discouraged. The key to quality GMAW, he said, is keeping the welding electrode on the leading edge of the weld puddle at all times.

***

I have seen a lot of welders use a large whipping motion while making 3- to 5-mm fillet welds. The welds look terrible and have a lot more spatter than when trying to keep a steady hand and smooth arc.

Thanks for the article. I will use it to break some bad habits.

Lincoln Schildgen

Hartford, Wis.

FEEDBACK
Send comments and technical
questions in writing to:

Amanda Carlson, Associate Editor Practical Welding Today 833 Featherstone Road Rockford, IL 61107-6302 Fax: 815-484-7788 E-mail: amandac@thefabricator.com

Practical Welding Today is not responsible for any advice given between readers or advertisers as a result of this section. All correspondence will be considered for publication unless specifically requested otherwise. All correspondence will be edited at the editors’ discretion. Letters written to advertise the benefits of a specific product or company will not be considered for publication.