Stack of Dimes- Best described as the overlapping pattern that looks a bit like fish scales that results from certain types of TIG and gas weld.

On another post in the welding forum, I noticed comment on stack of dimes welding pattern.

Ignorance about stack of dimes usage promoted by some rates high among my pet hates, so read on.

If one was to believe the online nonsense sprouted from across the pond, one might think that any welding bead that did not include a stack of dimes ripple pattern was automatically inferior.

It could not be further from the truth. Stack of Dimes is not the gold standard for appearance of all welded beads.

In reality, it is basically show pony welding BS. It serves as a visual enhancement and does nothing to make the weld strong.

Just the very opposite. It is found in aluminium welding.And that in some aluminium.Nascar for instance has found that stress caused by stack of dimes technique caused failure in the aluminium racing dry sumps.

Stack of dimes does not apply to MMAW or GMAW processes.

Truly it is a monkey see and monkey do type deal and is passed from one to another by the clueless on the internet.

Of course I freely acknowledge some of the comment elsewhere may have been tongue in cheek.

Grahame


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