imagineero
Addicted to ArboristSite
that by itself is probably not enough of a factor to reduce your chip discharge so much, but it would be a major contributing factor. You have to clean the metal well, pre heat, fill with weld (cold) and clean in between passes. Post heat and cover with an insulating mat for a slow cool down to take some of the stress out of the metal, or you will end up with cracking. Peening in between passes is another way to reduce the embodied stress. Grind square once done.