Why does my weld have cracking?

Root causes

High restraint, hydrogen from damp consumables, or fast cooling on thick sections.

The fix sequence

• preheat, dry rods in a rod oven, fill craters, use low-hydrogen rods on structural work
• Change one variable at a time and re-test on scrap
• Re-inspect the finished bead — chisel, brush, look

When to grind it out

Structural or pressure work with visible defects: grind back to sound metal and re-weld — never 'cap over' a defect and hope. For non-critical jobs, judge honestly: a cosmetic defect is a learning note; a fusion or crack defect is a redo.