332 Summary • Many welder qualifi cation tests are performed on out-of-position joints. If a welder can make good welds out of position, he or she can also weld properly in the fl at welding position. • Horizontal fi llet welds are very common. They are made on lap joints, inside corner joints, and T-joints. When making horizontal fi llet welds, a 15°–30° push angle and 45° work angle is used. Filler metal is held 15°–20° from the weld axis and in line with the axis of the weld. The torch is centered over the root of the weld but pointed more toward the vertical piece. • When making a horizontal butt weld, up to a 15° work angle and a 15°–30° push travel angle are used. The welding rod is held 15°–20° above the axis of the weld. The welding rod is added to the front upper part of the weld pool. Adding the fi ller metal to the top of the pool reduces undercut and underfi ll. • When vertical welding with the gas tungsten arc process, center the electrode over the root of the weld joint. Point the torch upward so it forms a push angle of 15°–30°. The welding rod is held 15°–20° above the axis of the weld. Base metal thicker than 1/16″ (1.6 mm) is welded uphill. Base metal 1/16″ (1.6 mm) or thinner is welded downhill. When welding downhill, the fi ller metal is added to the trailing edge, which is the top of the weld pool, or to the side of the weld pool. • When welding is being performed in the overhead position, the weld pool must be kept small. Only stringer beads or very small weave beads should be used. The current set on the welding machine may be 10A to 20A less than the current used for welding in the fl at position. • The angles used to weld fi llet or butt welds overhead are the same as those used in other positions. The torch is often held like a hammer when overhead welding. This provides fl exibility and control. Review Questions Answer the following questions using the information provided in this chapter. Know and Understand 1. True or False? Gravity affects the weld pool in out-of-position welds. 2. What travel angle is used to weld a horizontal fi llet weld? A. 5°–15° B. 10°–20° C. 15°–30° D. 30°–45° 3. What work angle is used to weld a horizontal butt joint? A. 5°–15° B. 10°–20° C. 15°–30° D. 30°–45° 4. True or False? A keyhole shape on the root pass of a fi llet weld ensures both pieces are properly melting. 5. True or False? Stringer and weave beads can be used on horizontal and vertical weld joints. 6. True or False? Base metal 3/16″ (5 mm) and thinner is welded downhill. 7. True or False? When welding is being performed downhill, fi ller metal is added to the leading edge of the weld pool. 8. True or False? Welding current for overhead welding can be reduced 10–20A, depending on the base metal thickness. 9. True or False? Pulsed GTAW can be used to make quality welds in all out-of-position weld joints. 10. True or False? Argon shielding gas fl ow rate is reduced 3–5 cfh for overhead welding. Analyze and Apply 1. List three pieces of safety equipment to be worn when welding out of position. 2. What is the correct arc length for most GTAW out-of-position welding? 3. List two ways to increase welding current while welding. 4. Where is fi ller metal added to a horizontal fi llet weld? 5. What type of joints are welded downhill? Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.