11. After the first satisfactory weld bead is laid and has cooled sufficiently for additional welding, lay a
second and third bead against the original bead. Cooling may be accelerated by use of a wet sponge or a
jet of cool air.
12. Direct the rod at an angle of about 45 degrees into the angle formed between the side of the first bead
and the surface of the base material. Always allow cooling time between welds. This exercise should be
repeated until you can lay consistently good welds.
The strength of the bead can be evaluated by trying to pick the rod off of the base material with a pair of
pliers, while the weld is still hot. If it is a good weld, the rod will stretch and may break, but it will not part
from the base material. If the rod lifts readily from the base material, there may have been insufficient