HELP!!! Proper Current Settings for Lincoln SA 200?

[pipeline'em]

My dad is trying pass the 6G welding test. He is required to pass this test using a 2 inch pipe, that is about half an inch to an inch thick more or less. He is using a 1/8 6010 electrode and a 3/32 7018 electrode for the cap. However, he is having a hard time figuring out how to get the proper settings for his 1964 Lincoln SA 200 that he bought. He is welding uphill. Can someone help? What should the CURRENT RANGE SELECTOR be and what should the FINE CURRENT ADJUSTMENT be for each electrode? Also, any advice for welding the 6G would be great my dad really wants to pass it.

[brandonday87]

when u put the selector between 80-110 or 115- 170 or 180- 240 . it is not set up like this but this is the way it works . the fine curent is kind of like the % between the 2 curents like say 80-110 at 50 on the fine curent would be like 95 amps if u are running 1/8 6010 70-120 amps depending on the material u are welding higher amps for thicker material .also u know about dcen and dcep? some rods can run both polaritys . i think dcen makes the work hoter then the rod and dcep makes the rod hoter then the work piece. might ask someone else about that

[slim83]

Put it on 2nd gear and around 40-50 on 1/8" and for 3/32" lohy leave her in 2nd gear and 30-45 on fine current. Your dad? Sure

[skelley521]

As usual there is no certain setting per machine only a reference range.
I always practice on each machine that I test with prior to taking the test, even if it's only a few minutes just to get use to what it's capable of.
Here is a stick calculator from Millers website that may help get you in the range needed.
Burn a few rods in the same position as the test; adjust amperage as needed.
Hope that helps,
Steve

[skelley521]

Which reminds me, I once took a weld test with a machine that had no visible numbers.
I just started flipping switches and burning rods on scrap plates until I got it set for the rod I was using at the time.

[kolot]

I once worked with a guy who referred to his settings in degrees, Farenheit I presume.

[pipeline'em]

Yeah, I actually created this account because my dad doesn't know how to use a computer, much less know how to sign up for a forum. He is the welder, he is a little rusty and went to go apply for a job in Carizzo Springs, TX, they pay up to $75 an hour, they are a pipeline company. They gave him the 6G test and he has to get it perfect because they X-Ray it, so I've been doing everything I can to help him get back into the groove of welding he is an excellent welder, but he stopped for about 8 years to focus on pump installing. He's just never had a Lincoln Red Face before and is still trying to figure out the settings for it. I don't weld, but my dad is inspiring me now. He says he has to get perfect at it because they have to sign their welds and every single one is x-rayed. Supposedly they found a river of oil from Carizzo Springs all the way to Houston, so that oil and gas company is going to be there for at least 10 years. They told him he has a job there, he just needs to pass that test and perfect it.

[DSW]

Originally Posted by skelley521

As usual there is no certain setting per machine only a reference range.
I always practice on each machine that I test with prior to taking the test, even if it's only a few minutes just to get use to what it's capable of.
....
Burn a few rods in the same position as the test; adjust amperage as needed.

Originally Posted by skelley521

Which reminds me, I once took a weld test with a machine that had no visible numbers.
I just started flipping switches and burning rods on scrap plates until I got it set for the rod I was using at the time.

As mentioned each machine will weld a bit different from another. Settings on machine "A" may not give you the same results if used on machine "B". Also each welder welds a bit different, even on the same machine. Some move faster, some slower, hold a longer arc, use a slightly different rod position, use more or less weave, and so on. This changes what setting would be used on the machine. A good welder can adapt his weld technique to adjust slightly for a machine setting that is not perfect.

He needs to find what works for him. The suggestions others have given above are a good starting point, but the only way to get where he wants, is to practice. The more the better, if he's already has the skill set and is just rusty.

Wish him luck for us.

[pipeline'em]

Originally Posted by DSW

As mentioned each machine will weld a bit different from another. Settings on machine "A" may not give you the same results if used on machine "B". Also each welder welds a bit different, even on the same machine. Some move faster, some slower, hold a longer arc, use a slightly different rod position, use more or less weave, and so on. This changes what setting would be used on the machine. A good welder can adapt his weld technique to adjust slightly for a machine setting that is not perfect.

He needs to find what works for him. The suggestions others have given above are a good starting point, but the only way to get where he wants, is to practice. The more the better, if he's already has the skill set and is just rusty.

Wish him luck for us.

Thanks man... Yeah that's what he's been doing, he's been playing around with the setting a little bit to see what works. When he first went to take the test he didn't know what to expect and when he couldn't pass it he was devastated. He thought he was too old to weld with all those younger welders. He almost gave up, until he went a second time to actually attempt the test again, and he said all the welders around saw that he was having trouble and went to go help him and offer advice. He said he didn't feel like such an outsider when this happened and I guess he was just nervous from being far away from home. I really hope he gets it next time he goes, I've been helping him from 8 in the morn till 6 at night everyday practice. I told him that welders have unions and take care of each other, and they have respect for each other because not everyone has the balls or patience to learn how to do it and do it well, he's never really ever gotten out much and I told him he needs to see knew places and meet new people. Said all the welders gave him their numbers and offered to help him get a job elsewhere if he needed a job quick. He is all worried now because the bills don't stop and he just quit his previous job to go and get that welding job. I've never seen him more determined. He made a whole bunch of welder friends in just 2 days and he says he's going to go back no matter what.

[cajun welder]

Brandon did a good job at explaining it, but I'll try to explain how he came up with the amps. I have a 1981 year model and it has 5 ranges on the selective side,(welders like to call them gears),min, 80-130, 120-190, 160-240, and max. On the fine tuning side 0- 100. I'll divide 100 by 10, so every time I turn the fine side up 10 I'll add the number to get my amps. Lets take 120-190, there's a difference of 70amps,so divide that by 10= 7. So 120 and 0 on the fine tuning is 120amps, going up to 10 on the fine will be 127amps, going to 20 will be 134amps, 30 will be 141amps and so on. If I'm wrong I'm sorry but that's how it was explained to me.
Tell your father he's not to old. I'm almost 50 and I work with a lots of 20 year old who call me old man and slow, but at the end of the day, Iv'ed burned more wire than them.
Like its been said before hood time,and practice, practice, practice. Hope this helps and good luck.

[pipeline'em]

Originally Posted by cajun welder

Brandon did a good job at explaining it, but I'll try to explain how he came up with the amps. I have a 1981 year model and it has 5 ranges on the selective side,(welders like to call them gears),min, 80-130, 120-190, 160-240, and max. On the fine tuning side 0- 100. I'll divide 100 by 10, so every time I turn the fine side up 10 I'll add the number to get my amps. Lets take 120-190, there's a difference of 70amps,so divide that by 10= 7. So 120 and 0 on the fine tuning is 120amps, going up to 10 on the fine will be 127amps, going to 20 will be 134amps, 30 will be 141amps and so on. If I'm wrong I'm sorry but that's how it was explained to me.
Tell your father he's not to old. I'm almost 50 and I work with a lots of 20 year old who call me old man and slow, but at the end of the day, Iv'ed burned more wire than them.
Like its been said before hood time,and practice, practice, practice. Hope this helps and good luck.

Thanks that really helped a lot. I think he more or less figured it out already, but he there is still a little fine tuning that he needs. And yeah my dad is 49. He has an old beat up truck with the inside seat torn up like a crocodile bit it off. He has an old welder and had a old school welding helmet. He's not used to all the safety rules, he said he felt out of place, but it's because there is this younger guy like 30 who works at that place and I think he looks up to my dad he is the one who told my dad that company was hiring. He also lacked a lot of safety equipment so me an my bro started buying everything he needed a new auto darkening helmet, grinders, rods you name it. I know he can do it, he say's after going over there to test for that job he now knows why there is that saying "If you're not a Texas Pipeliner you ain't ****." I told my dad, I'm sure all those younger welders have the utmost respect for the old timer welders. It's not an easy job, and they know it. My dad said that he knew an old man who was a welder and he welded with him before and he wanted to learn more from him but he passed away. Said he was one of the best welders he'd ever met.

[Nope]

What company ?

[MinnesotaDave]

Originally Posted by cajun welder

Lets take 120-190, there's a difference of 70amps,so divide that by 10= 7. So 120 and 0 on the fine tuning is 120amps, going up to 10 on the fine will be 127amps, going to 20 will be 134amps, 30 will be 141amps and so on. If I'm wrong I'm sorry but that's how it was explained to me.
.

That's how I do it too

Some books list it as adding a percent of the range - but in simpler terms, the above example is what they mean

Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

grrrrr....just re-read the original post and it's from 2011

[almeraz83]

Originally Posted by pipeline'em

My dad is trying pass the 6G welding test. He is required to pass this test using a 2 inch pipe, that is about half an inch to an inch thick more or less. He is using a 1/8 6010 electrode and a 3/32 7018 electrode for the cap. However, he is having a hard time figuring out how to get the proper settings for his 1964 Lincoln SA 200 that he bought. He is welding uphill. Can someone help? What should the CURRENT RANGE SELECTOR be and what should the FINE CURRENT ADJUSTMENT be for each electrode? Also, any advice for welding the 6G would be great my dad really wants to pass it.

i am not a pipewelder but i am sure you can get some more input on facebook type in "Welding Rigz"