walking the cup

[Linda Stewart]

Hi everyone,

I just finished my first year in trade school for welding, and am going for a second. When I was on my TIG welding unit, we did a 5F pipe to plate which required us to use our non-dominant hand. Luckily, I'm ambidextrous, so my results weren't awful. I really enjoyed working on piping and am looking to familiarize myself with the "walking the cup" technique. I've seen it done on videos in the classroom, but seeing and doing are always two different things in welding. With this said, does anyone have a detailed description of how best to practice this technique? I know it is a more advanced one that requires more experience, but I am eager to learn it. In regards to the technique, how far should the tungsten stick out, and should the "walking" motion, be more focused on a full circle (which I imagine would complicate getting the leading edge of the puddle with the filler), or half circle, or alternating between both sides? Should the walking motion be done quickly, or slowly? Should the amperage be turned up relatively higher than normal for any given job to assist faster movements?

Thanks a bundle,
Linda

[digr]

Here are some vids, I am sure if you look around this site you will find what you need. Great site

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...up&sa=Search#0

[sn0border88]

Stickout, travel speed and amperage are all dependant on what you are trying to do and how you are trying to do it so its hard to say where they should be set at.

Best advice I can give you is if you want a larger bead with more defined ripples use a simple side to side rolling motion. If you want a tighter bead and more fluid puddle use a small figure 8 motion.