Troubleshooting
Why is my stick welding cracking?
Quick answer
Cracking in stick welding usually means high restraint, hydrogen from damp consumables, or fast cooling on thick sections. For this process, low-hydrogen rods on thick sections, preheat before touching anything else.
The specific fix
Low-hydrogen rods on thick sections, preheat. The general rule: preheat, dry rods in a rod oven, fill craters, use low-hydrogen rods on structural work.
Process checklist
- Arc too long — stick wants a rod-width gap or less
- Dragging too fast, leaving thin, weak, undercut beads
- Not chipping and brushing slag between multi-passes — slag inclusions