really really sticky slag on 7018 or 7014?

I am under the impression that it means your amps are too low.

I will eagerly await the comments of the pros in here.

I find it can happen with either to low or to much current. The main thing that make slag stick is to have crevices for it to get into. If you run to much current there will be under cut for it to get into. If you run to little then there will be a crevice each side of the weld for it to stick. A smooth flowing weld on each side without under cut will usually allow it to pop off.

The main time that I have trouble getting rid of 7018 slag is when welding in a deep groove that doesn't have enough slope on each side. This traps the slag making it nearly impossible to get out without a air chisel.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

I have had more problems with slag sticking with low amps than high amps.

People mentioned too high and too low heats. A highly crowned bead in a groove creates problems. The solution in that case is to make flat beads. Be highly motivated on this one because no matter how much you chip and scrap along the edges of your bead the next weld will have a tough time melting out the notch and you end up with wagon tacks. E 7018 is very unforgiving when you try to correct a fault that was created by the bead underneath. Randy

Grant Erwin

Wayne,

Thank you very much for that explanation. I've never had any trouble whatsoever getting slag to pop right off 7018. On rare occasion it's even curled up by itself.

By the way, I live in Brenham. So we're practically neighbors. Only about two weeks ago I had a job in Huntsville and was sorely tempted to look you up.

Regards, Vernon

P.S. Your web page of your shop is the cat's pajamas.

I was having trouble with slag sticking. I was trying to run a really small fillet using 3/32" 7018 rod. As soon as I slowed down and let the puddle fill, the slag sticking problem vanished. I think the too-fast travel created texture that the slag got hold of.

Thanks to all, as usual. Great answers.

GWE

Look up Shamrock, TX. It's in the Panhandle. Not exactly neighbors.

I ran several pounds today and it just took light taps to break it free except for the deep groove which I welded. I had to work a little harder in the deep groove but it wasn't to bad.

This is the second time you've said this. I'm confused considering that Huntsville is 470 miles away and Brenham is 481 miles away.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

Thanks. Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

In that case, I got my wires crossed . For some reason I thought you were in Huntsville, Texas.

Sorry about that.

That's the hardest type of weld to keep smooth. The larger welds you automatically slow down allow to flow out properly but the tendency with smaller welds is to go to fast. Good call on slowing down.

No problem. I'm just happy to give back to repay some portion of the huge amount of knowledge I've gained from reading these groups.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

Thanks. I was beginning to wonder about this.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

No problem. You're more than welcome to stop by. It's just a longer trip than you've been stating. :-)

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

In the 'big house maybe ?!!'

I'm not far away - in Lufkin Tx. Deep East Texas, and local neighbor to Shamrock.

Martin Martin Eastburn @ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net NRA LOH, NRA Life NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder

Vern> In that case, I got my wires crossed . For some reason I thought