Hobart Welding Products Stick Welding Troubleshooting: Solutions for Common Welding Issues

13-19. Troubleshooting − Burn-Through

Burn-Through − weld metal melting completely through base metal resulting in holes where no metal remains.

Possible Causes	Corrective Actions
Excessive heat input.	Select lower amperage. Use smaller electrode.
	Increase and/or maintain steady travel speed.

13-20. Troubleshooting − Waviness Of Bead

Waviness Of Bead − weld metal that is not parallel and does not cover joint formed by base metal.

Possible Causes	Corrective Actions
Unsteady hand.	Use two hands. Practice technique.

13-21. Troubleshooting − Distortion

		Distortion − contraction of weld met-
		al during welding that forces base
		metal to move.
	Base metal moves
	in the direction of
	the weld bead.
Possible Causes		Corrective Actions
Excessive heat input.		Use restraint (clamp) to hold base metal in position.
		Make tack welds along joint before starting welding operation.
		Select lower amperage for electrode.
		Increase travel speed.
		Weld in small segments and allow cooling between welds.

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