Overhead Welding

Any tips for welding overhead with a mig? I turned my wire speed way down but still get big drips.

 

Try turning the heat down, and the wire speed up. Increasing wire speed will inherently increase amperage on most machines. The heat will remain the same for good penetration, and the faster speed will allow you to move faster and run a cooler puddle.

 

Weave the puddle side to side as if it you were welding with stick electrode.
When the puddle moves to each side it hits an area of the parent metal that’s a tad cooler than the middle of the weld seam.
Another technique is intermittent trigger on / trigger off.
Trigger on/ off is effectively similar to the feature many newer machines have that’s called “pulse”.
The pulse rate on my 200 square wave tig machine is fully adjustable.

 

Tips? Stay out from directly under the weld.

 

If I don’t get burned am I really welding?

 

I should mention that when you weave a weld puddle from side to side you move the electrode very quickly through the middle of the weld seam and nearly pause motion at either side of weld.
Trigger on/off technique is an easier method ( for most) to control the puddle from drips. The puddle itself only becomes semi solid between bursts of power. You do not let the puddle become solid between bursts of power.
And electrode position is carefully controlled so the weld bead stays uniform and not mearly a bunch of patched together short welds. It’s a quick on off triggering and is not used until the puddle begins to sag.
If the puddle drips you simply have overheated the area. Then you must let the seam solidify briefly and begin anew. Much much better to not let the puddle drip. Watch weld closely and correct /control puddle at the first signs of sagging.

 

Least favorite fabrication task ever. I did so much upside-down welding on my Nissan that I never want to do it again. If you can build it and bolt it on do it! Otherwise flip the thing over.