A Red Seal welder is performing a vertical-up fillet weld on a structural steel component using an E7018 electrode. They notice that the puddle is difficult to control, sags excessively, and the weld bead is convex with poor fusion at the toes. What is the most likely issue with their amperage setting?

Question: A Red Seal welder is performing a vertical-up fillet weld on a structural steel component using an E7018 electrode. They notice that the puddle is difficult to control, sags excessively, and the weld bead is convex with poor fusion at the toes. What is the most likely issue with their amperage setting?

Answer options: ✅ The amperage is too high for the E7018 electrode in the vertical-up position.

• The amperage is too low for the E7018 electrode, causing insufficient heat input.
• The polarity setting is incorrect for the E7018 electrode.
• The arc length is too short, leading to excessive heat concentration.

Correct answer: The amperage is too high for the E7018 electrode in the vertical-up position.

Explanation: Excessive puddle sag and poor control, especially in a vertical-up position, are classic signs of amperage being too high. E7018 electrodes require careful heat management to prevent the molten metal from flowing downwards before it solidifies. Amperage that is too low would cause a narrow, ropey bead with poor penetration, not excessive sag.