Vertical up corner joint!

Hey everyone! You saw my recent vertical up corner joint practice piece done with MIG, and let me tell you, it's one of those techniques that felt intimidating at first but is incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. I remember the first time my instructor showed us how to do vertical up welding; it looked like magic! Getting that molten puddle to defy gravity and build a beautiful stacked bead takes patience and a specific approach. For me, the key to mastering vertical up MIG welding was all about preparation and consistent travel speed. First, making sure your metal practice piece is clean is non-negotiable. Any rust or mill scale will mess with your arc. Then, I focused heavily on my gun angle, usually a slight upward angle, around 5-15 degrees into the joint. Controlling the wire feed speed and voltage is crucial too – you want enough heat to fuse properly but not so much that the puddle just sags. My instructor always says, 'Watch the puddle, not the arc!' and it's so true. I try to create a small, consistent puddle and then quickly move slightly up, pausing just long enough for the previous bead to solidify a bit before moving to the next ripple. It's like building a tiny, perfect stack of dimes. This technique helps achieve that characteristic stacked MIG weld bead you see in professional work. One thing I struggled with initially was getting a consistent width and preventing undercut. I found that a slight 'Christmas tree' or 'chevron' motion really helped me fill in the edges and maintain that uniform bead. It's a subtle weave, not too wide, just enough to ensure good fusion on both sides of the corner joint. If you're encountering issues like excessive spatter or the weld looking ropey, double-check your gas flow and contact tip to work distance. These small adjustments can make a huge difference in the final welding technique and result. While my practice piece was with MIG, I know many of you are also curious about vertical up stick welding techniques. The principles are similar – fighting gravity and controlling the puddle – but the rod manipulation is different. With stick, you're constantly consuming the electrode, so maintaining a tight arc length and using a slight whip or drag motion (depending on the electrode type) is key. For example, with an E6010 or E6011 rod, you might use a 'whipping and pausing' technique, allowing the puddle to freeze slightly before re-entering. For E7018, it's often a tighter, drag technique. It's definitely a different feel, but both are essential skills, especially if you're aiming for something like a 3G vertical weld test. And for all the aspiring welders out there, especially those in high school welding projects, don't shy away from these challenging joints! Starting with smaller practice pieces like this vertical up corner joint is perfect. Once you get comfortable, you can move on to more complex projects. I've seen some amazing high school welding projects, from metal art sculptures to sturdy tool benches, all built on fundamental skills like these. Keep practicing, watch those videos, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback. Every stacked MIG weld bead you lay down is a step towards becoming a skilled welder!