I was taught to pull my stick puddles and push the mig.
"Walk the dog" Haven't heard that term for a long time. LolI just asked my son. He welds all the new NY. PA. and NJ. turnpike trucks together every day. He said different applications are different. Pushing the wire into the weld is a stronger weld because it give more penetration and heat. The optimal way for a standard weld is straight on. Drag the weld you lay it on top No penetration., Set the welder on pulse. It will drop dime puddles and give you the waves on its own.
Walk the Dog don't drag him.
This! I had a bundle of bare rods in the garage and tried to use one. Didnt work for anything. I read up and put it in the oven for 15 at 350 and it just laid down as smooth as a stick could. Really made me a believer of tupperware and dessicant. I even heated flux core once but I found little to no change. It was **** wire anyway.One thing to do to improve your stick welding is to keep your rods dry! Humidity will penetrate the rods and make the best welder produce crappy welds. Buy a plastic rod storage holder... Put the rods in an oven and cook them on low for a bit to dry them.
Agree 100%. There are specific type rod ovens and plastic containers out there with rubber seals I used to use when I was working. Damp rod really sucks. The oven might work for flux core too.One thing to do to improve your stick welding is to keep your rods dry! Humidity will penetrate the rods and make the best welder produce crappy welds. Buy a plastic rod storage holder... Put the rods in an oven and cook them on low for a bit to dry them.