pad-weld 2.5mm 7018 hand back in after 2yrs

Hi there

Glad I got a pack of 2.5mm 7018's from local stockist.

After two years, apart from one quick job - brings it all back. Usual fall-back - do pad-welds until "it's like riding a bicycle" - it becomes automatic again.

Offcut of 10mm thickness plate - just right. Cheap as cost per amount metal deposited and 2.5's leave small weld; slow so forced to concentrate and control weld-pool; not natural match to plate thickness (plate thicker than matches electrode size) so have to concentrate on weld-pool control; no natural guide (get when doing T-fillet) so ruling chalk-lines and following adds to skill and control challenge. Etc.

Amazing how much comes back to you.

Anyone else experience the like?

Best wishes, Rich S

------------------------------------- My cars don't rust through very often so each time I have to re-learn MIG welding to butt weld two thin sheets without melting through. I finally found and closed off holes where trim molding snapped on, where at least some of the water was getting in.

My electronics job involved soldering tiny surface mount components, another form of molten metal puddle control. A week off was long enough that I had to practice before doing anything critical.