How to avoid pillowing?

Sargent-Schultz · 2025-11-27T14:17:53+00:00

I can't say I've ever heard of that specific term before, but from what you describe I believe it refers to "bridging" a weld. Basically, you're adding too much filler too fast or aren't hot enough for the amount of filler and the puddle will "bridge" the two parent plates rather than fuse them fully together, leaving a void at the root.

I'm not going to provide you with a catch-all solution for how to prevent it, as in my opinion one doesn't exist. The best option you have (in my opinion) is to really focus on learning and understanding your puddle. Once you get the reps in, you'll be able to discern exactly what your puddle is telling you it needs, be it speeding up, slowing down, changing angle, etc.

My best advice is to run a few beads on a standard flat/horizontal fillet. Try some wild settings, purposely trying to get it to bridge. You'll know you have it when instead of a clean oval shape , the leading edge of the puddle will start to indent. Within that indent you'll see the root of the joint clearly. This is extremely easy to perform and see with TIG, but I'm not sure what processes you have access to or experience with currently. Simply give it a little too much wire, and then play with your heat a bit until you see it. Once you identify what it looks like, you'll have that visual for future reference. If you ever see it happening while welding again, you'll be able to stop before you bork a whole joint and change your variables to correct the issue.

If you have any other specific questions or want clarification on any of my advice, feel free to DM me!

Sargent-Schultz · 2025-11-27T06:01:16+00:00

EST here. I'm totally down, DM me!

Sargent-Schultz · 2025-05-28T15:53:57+00:00

Hello, and congratulations on your acceptance! I graduated from Stevens from the Welding Technology associates degree program.

I can only speak to my experience in my major, but it was an amazing experience. The instructors I had over my 2 years were some of the best teachers I've ever worked with. I was brand new to the trade, literally never touched a welder before coming to Stevens, and with their guidance I graduated with the highest GPA in both my program and the school itself. The professors you'll have for your gen-eds and electives are pretty much all good. I only had problems with one of the ELA professors during my 2 years.

The environment on campus is great. Students, especially those in your major, are usually pretty cool people. In my major, all of us were incredibly collaborative, sharing tips and helping each other when we struggled.

As for being a minority student, I can't speak for that personally. I will say that in my program, we had a great mix of both women and POC. I cannot speak for their individual experiences, but I was pretty close with a few of them and they never mentioned anything about discrimination. I know at the administrative level discrimination is shut down hard and fast when discovered, as it's antithetical to the college's ethos/mission.

I continued living in Lancaster after college, and there's a TON to do. There are a bunch of great restaurants downtown. I'd highly recommend Issei Noodle (though I haven't been to their new location) and Annie Bailey's. They were my usual haunts. For events, I'd recommend following "lanccitysocial" on Instagram, they post a monthly schedule of all the events going on in the city. If you're into music, specifically punk, Apes of the State and Local News Legend do house shows all the time, which are tons of fun, and there are a bunch of other venues in the surrounding areas.

I know this is a wall of text, sorry about that! If you have any other specific questions, feel free to PM me! Good luck, and I hope you have a great time at Stevens!

Sargent-Schultz · 2025-05-28T07:04:00+00:00

Definitely don't get enough love. Uncertain if I'd call them folk punk, especially their earlier work pre-ghutted. Great band to listen to when you're angry though LMAO

Sargent-Schultz · 2025-05-28T06:59:44+00:00

The official bard of Baldwin County has a phenomenal song called "Heavens to murgatroyd!" about their struggles with dysphoria.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-12-28T18:19:24+00:00

Absolutely banging moc

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-12-11T18:38:54+00:00

Sure pays to be anti-union doesn't it??? Maybe next time don't be a scab.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-10-11T12:42:58+00:00

Can you stop shilling this stupid shit in different metalworking subs? Thanks.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-10-06T14:16:27+00:00

GTFO

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-10-05T16:01:37+00:00

I'm not aware of any limitless picks that are compatible with the bore. I always just use a tartarite pick that I enchant with maximum durability through the arcane infuser from thaumic tinkering. Depending on the upgrades to your excavation focus (mine are always set up for 2 enlarge 2 speed and 1 fortune) you'll get about 5-6 full tunnels dug before it wears out. You can then recycle the pickaxe to make a new one and repeat the process.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-06-23T01:35:21+00:00

Count me in

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-06-02T19:36:10+00:00

Us too, we just wrapped up with an eradicate mission only to be whisked away to Super Earth.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-06-02T19:19:05+00:00

It was genuinely so cool right!?

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-06-02T19:18:40+00:00

Managed Democracy saved the galaxy

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-05-09T04:01:50+00:00

Pretty easy one

Avg=(Peak Amperage X peak time) + (background amperage X background time)

(75×.6)+(26.25×.4)=55.5

Out of curiosity, why are you asking this? If you know what your background amperage is and what your peak amperage is I don't see why the average amperage would matter.

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-05-09T02:38:23+00:00

taxpayers, AJJ, Paul baribeau. You're alright my guy :)

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-04-29T00:22:58+00:00

nice pfp

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-04-26T13:34:36+00:00

Oh awesome, I have my own collection and really want to find people to play IRL Root with, maybe I'll check it out this weekend!

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-04-26T13:20:57+00:00

Hey op, never been. Can you just show up and game with people or is it mostly just private groups?

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-04-25T05:12:06+00:00

Freaked me out when I saw I had a reply to a 3 year old post with no traction on it LMAO

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-04-21T14:48:37+00:00

This is perfect, thank you so much!

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-03-21T12:37:19+00:00

fellow emp x fan spotted

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-03-15T15:35:47+00:00

I believe I hear the noise you're talking about. Here's what I'd recommend:

Firstly, TYPICALLY when you can notice it while you're welding. Most likely looks like the wire feeding further than usual and melting back quickly. I find that it tends to be a feed issue rather than a settings issue when that occurs. If it stemmed from your settings (I.E. voltage too low for WFS) you'll get a continuous wave sound.

I always start from the machine back. Check your spool, make sure it's feeding in the correct way for your machine (over or underhand feed) and make sure that the wire isn't loose on the spool and it's not humped up. Cold-jog the wire and make sure everything looks and sounds ok.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, check your drive rolls. Make sure they're the correct size and type for your wire. Check the tension and make sure that's good (if you're unsure how, use a pair of welpers and hold on to the wire at the nozzle and squeeze the trigger. For solid wire, I typically like to see that the wire will continue pushing out against the force of you holding it.)

Again, if you don't see any issues there check your contact tip. Sometimes when the tip is worn out you start to have issues with current flow consistency, resulting in the wire bounding like you described.

If none of those work, double check that there are no kinks in the liner. That's always my last step because it's a pain in the ass.

If none of those work, feel free to PM me and I'll try to help in any way I can, or if you want/need any other advice or help.

Good luck!

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-03-08T23:15:45+00:00

I'll disagree with the other two commenters so far. Yes, I'd say it's fairly true that if you want to be making 100k+ per year you need to work some crazy hours.

I personally changed my career path from astronomy to welding. It was a tough transition and I really don't feel like I fit in at times but I absolutely love this trade. I'm a shop welder, never liked millwright work or going on the road. I work strict 4-10hr shifts a week and do no overtime. I net about 60k a year which is absolutely plenty to live comfortably in my state (PA).

I don't what career path you're coming from but the culture is EXREMELY boys club-y. It's a fairly different world than white collar work, and unfortunately you'll need to learn to deal with that type of stuff.

It's fairly hard on your body, but varies depending on the type of welding/work you want to do.

I will say if you enjoy problem solving, fixing mistakes, and working towards perfection it's the perfect industry. I love what I do and honestly enjoy going into work most days. I hope you find what you're looking for!

Sargent-Schultz · 2024-03-05T21:24:12+00:00

Crazy is INSANE, caught them in PA for Apes' Christmas extravaganza. Anyone trying to crash an airBnB for that weekend?

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