I agree Allan, Al, Electrode. Stringer...
Kent, you need to give more details like welding process for starters, base material, etc...
"I am going to be generic fillet weld on 0.50 inch plate, 3 feet long, 0.375 inch weld size
ok anybody can chime in say that is wrong, the #'s just came off the top of my head
so throw other #'s out there but let us discuss how this could be done for every metal and process and every weld type.........ie butt, lap...etc........."
Why don't you start by choosing a welding process, a base metal, filler metal and anything else you want to add so we can get this discussion started because so far it's hit a brick wall, and you need to break that down by describing more specific details.
Respectfully,
Henry