In GMA welding of sheet metal, the short circuit metal transfer mdoe is preferred because of its low heat input and capability of bridging the root gap. The molten electrode is transferred to the workpiece during repectitive short circuit in the model. The waveform of welding current or voltage and the frequency of short circuiting are affected by a number of factors including: magnitude of welding current and voltage, root gap, electrode extension, power supply characteristics, and so on. In this study experimental models were proposed, which are able to determine the relationship between the root gap and short circuit frequency and the relationship between the root gap and appropriate welding speed that produces the good quality of back bead without burn through. Using the experimental models, the root gap can be obtained from measuring the short circuit frequency, and then the appropriate weldig speed to the root gap can be determined. Thus a back bead control system was constructed by controlling the welding speed for maintaining the quality of back bead. The developed system has shown the successful capability of back bead control.