Guide to size of electrode and bead size

**Tiger** · 9th July 2009, 07:14 PM

Is there a guide somewhere that specifies what size electrode to use and the proportions of the ideal bead size that you are after?
I am trying to weld a 1/8th inch bit of plate to a 1/4 inch bit of plate at right angles and would like to know what sort of bead size should I strive for?

**Grahame Collins** · 9th July 2009, 11:40 PM

2 to 3 times core wire diameter size would be ok.

**Tiger** · 10th July 2009, 10:34 AM

Thanks Grahame, would any particular diameter of electrode work better when welding different thicknesses of metals?

**Grahame Collins** · 10th July 2009, 11:17 AM

Tiger,

A 1/8" to 1/4" fillet weld would be best suited by using a 2.6mm electrode.

This is to prevent burn through by a bigger electrode size .ie. 3.2mm which would well suit the 1/4" PLATE, but destroy the 1/8"plate.

Obvious techniques are to run at the amperage best suited to the thickness
( practice on scrap) and maintain 2/3 rds of the wash on to the thicker plate to direct the heat away from the thin plate and avoid burn through.

Grahame

**Tiger** · 10th July 2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks, Grahame, that makes sense.

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