What torch movement helps control puddle width?

• A. Large, quick side-to-side sweeps
• B. Small, steady movements
• C. No movement; keep steady
• D. Rapid up-and-down motion

Answer: (B)

Controlling puddle width comes from how you move the torch to manage heat input and arc length. Small, steady movements let you gently wash the puddle forward with a consistent arc length and even filler deposition, so the puddle stays a uniform width as you weld. If you use large, quick side-to-side sweeps, you dump heat into a wider area at once, making the puddle widen more than desired and harder to keep under control. Staying completely still concentrates heat in one spot, which can create an oversized, unstable puddle or burn-through. Rapid up-and-down motion disrupts the arc and produces an erratic puddle width. In short, steady, small adjustments maintain a consistent puddle width and smooth fusion.