Welding Reference Card
One page. MIG, TIG, stick and flux core settings by thickness.
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BuyStringer vs Weave for Heat Input
Same dials, different torch path — pick the technique that keeps kJ/mm inside the WPS without guessing
This is the technique fork that sits beside the Heat Input Calculator and Heat Input Guide. Not a restatement of the formula — a decision guide for when to stringer, when a controlled weave earns its keep, and how travel must be measured so HI paperwork stays honest. If the number already “passed” and the joint still fails, go to Heat Input Troubleshooting.
Why Stringer vs Weave Is a Heat-Input Decision
Heat input is energy per unit joint length (along the seam), not per unit torch-tip path. A weave that covers 3/4" of joint in the time a stringer covers 3/4" of tip travel dumps more arc-seconds into that joint inch — HI rises even if amps and volts never moved.
Travel for HI = progress along the joint axis (per WPS) — not torch tip path length
That is why shops “run the same settings” and still leave the qualified HI window: the technique changed the effective travel along the joint.
Side-by-Side: When Each Wins
| Factor | Stringer | Weave |
|---|---|---|
| Heat input tendency | Lower at same A/V if travel along joint is honest and brisk | Higher — more arc time per joint inch |
| Distortion risk | Usually lower heat load; more passes may add shrinkage cycles | Higher local heat; fewer passes sometimes, hotter HAZ |
| Fusion / sidewall | Needs correct angle and prep; cold lap risk if too fast | Can wet sidewalls on wide grooves if oscillation controlled |
| WPS / toughness jobs | Default when max HI is tight | Only if procedure qualifies weave width/frequency |
| Thin sheet | Usually preferred | Easy to overheat and buckle |
| Thick fill | Many stringers; easy HI tracking | Limited weave may fill faster — recalculate HI every width change |
Choose stringers when…
- Max heat input or max interpass is tight
- Impact-tested procedures punish high HI
- Distortion-sensitive thin assemblies
- You need clean, auditable travel logs
Choose a controlled weave when…
- WPS explicitly allows weave width/frequency
- Sidewall fusion needs oscillation more than raw amps
- You accept higher HI and still sit inside the envelope
- You re-time travel along the joint after every width change
How to Measure Travel So the Decision Is Real
Mark a known joint length. Time only arc-on while the torch advances that mark — for weaves, do not time the zigzag path length. Feed A, V, and that joint-axis travel into the Heat Input Calculator.
Same dials, different technique
180 A × 22 V. Stringer at 12 IPM along the joint → ~19.8 kJ/mm. Same A/V with a 5/8" weave that advances only 7 IPM along the joint → ~33.9 kJ/mm. The machine did not change — the decision did.
WPS trap: If the procedure says “stringer only,” a “small weave” is still a qualification risk. Technique is an essential variable on many impact-tested WPSs.
Field Rules That Keep You Inside the Envelope
- Cap weave width to the qualified maximum — wider is a silent HI increase.
- Do not fix cold lap by weaving wider without recalculating; fix angle, prep, and true energy first.
- Pair with interpass — high-HI weaves stack heat; use the Interpass Temperature Calculator.
- Distortion after wide weaves is a sequencing problem as much as an HI problem — see Weld Distortion Troubleshooting.
- Vertical-up weaves often crawl; expect HI to climb unless A/V drop with travel.
Decision shortcut: If you cannot state the qualified max weave width from memory, default to stringers and prove HI with timed travel.
What This Page Is Not
Preheat vs. Interpass Temperature covers the other half of the thermal triad — temperatures between passes, not torch path. The Heat Input Guide covers formula and bands. This page only answers: stringer or weave when kJ/mm is the constraint.
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Complete Welding Settings Guide
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Gear That Helps Hold the Technique You Chose
Five CSV catalog picks — see the puddle, hold stable arcs, and verify thermal stack after weaves
See puddle
ARCCAPTAIN Halo Auto-Darkening Helmet
- Wide view for weave edge tracking
- True-color puddle read for travel pace
- Multi-sensor arc detection
- Welding / Fab catalog
Stable MIG
ARCCAPTAIN MIG Welder 200Amp 6-in-1
- Digital meters for A/V after technique changes
- Recalculate HI when programs shift
- 110/220V shop flexibility
- Welding Machines catalog
IR check
Klein Tools IR5 Dual Laser Thermometer
- Check pass-end temperature after weaves
- Catch interpass climbing with high HI
- Dual laser aiming on the HAZ
- HVAC Tools catalog
TIG heat
Welding Water Cooler 110V 8L
- Torch cooling for longer controlled beads
- Helps technique consistency on TIG fills
- Does not erase HI limits — supports control
- Welding / Fab catalog
PPE
ARCCAPTAIN Auto Darkening Helmet
- Comfortable for multi-pass stringer sequences
- Clear bead freeze lines vs heat pace
- 4 arc sensors
- Welding / Fab catalog
As an Amazon Associate, TestTalkHQ earns from qualifying purchases. All five cards are sourced only from the affiliate CSV. Catalog gap: no fillet/weld gauge or dedicated travel timer SKU for joint-axis timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small weave always raise heat input?
If it slows progress along the joint at the same A/V, yes. If you raise travel along the joint enough to offset oscillation time, HI can match — prove it with a stopwatch, do not assume.
Can I weave on a stringer-only WPS if HI still calculates in range?
Usually no — technique can be an essential variable independent of the HI number. Follow the qualified procedure.
Stringers mean more passes — is that worse for distortion?
Sometimes more passes add shrinkage cycles; often lower HI per pass still wins on thin work. See distortion troubleshooting when the pattern is bow/buckle, not just HI math.