Welding Rod Recommendations

[Dennis Hetrick]

Hi All,
I have recently purchased a Stickmate LX ac/dc. I did do some welding about 30 years ago but have forgotten whatever it was I knew back then. I decided that I wanted get into welding because I have some specific projects in mind. So far, they look to be awhile off. Don't seem to be improving very much. What would be the rod size and amp for 1/8 and 1/4 steel with 6011, 6013 and 7018? I have heard that these are ac rods only. I have also heard that they should work better with dc. If so, would that be EP or EN?
Thanks,
Dennis

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum Dennis,

You can use 3/32" or 1/8" electrode

3/32 6013 run at 40 -90 amps

3/32 6010 and 6011 run at 40 - 85 amps

3/32 7018 run at 65 - 100 amps

1/8' 6013 run at 80 - 130 amps

1/8" 6010 and 6011 run at 75 -125 amps

1/8' 7018 runn at 110 - 165 amps

6010 DCEP
6011 DCEP or AC
6013 DCEP or DCEN
7018 DCEP

Hope this helps

[Sberry]

For normal shop and repair that is a great machine and because you have DC which is a big asset you can set that on DCRP and forget it. That will save you a lot of grief. I can do almost anything that machine can do with 3 rods. 6010 1/8 7018 3/32 and 7018 1/8. I like the 3/32 as it has great control for lighter stuff and I know I will hear about this but I like 6010 for light and sheet metal and poor fitup. The only thing I use AC for is nickel.

[Dennis Hetrick]

Thanks Rocky D and Sberry,
I have been reading this forum to believe you are both very knowledgable. I will try your suggestions and I think it will help.
Dennis

[Sberry]

You could throw some 3/32 in there somewhere I spose,, of 6013 maybe, for light sheet. Actually I have seen 6011 for sheet too,, I am not sure why they use that instead of 6010. Some tin-knockers would know.

[Skaggydog]

Originally posted by Sberry27
The only thing I use AC for is nickel.

AC is preferred for fast-fill electrodes as there is no arc blow.

[Sberry]

You figure a guy with a stickmate machine will be using fast fill electrodes? The only time I have ever used them we use on DC as thats what the machines we had were. A shipyard might use them I spose but most hi fill apps are wirefeed anymore. Something else I sometimes advise is to set the thing on RP and bust the knob off so they cant fool with it. So many beginners spend a lot of time confusing themselves about all this stuff, thats why I say put the thing on DCRP and forget it.

[Skaggydog]

Originally posted by Sberry27
Actually I have seen 6011 for sheet too,, I am not sure why they use that instead of 6010. Some tin-knockers would know. Something else I sometimes advise is to set the thing on RP and bust the knob off so they cant fool with it.

I ain't no "tin-knocker" but I know 6011 is for AC instead of 6010 which runs better DC.

"Something else I sometimes advise is to set the thing on RP and bust the knob off so they cant fool with it."
*** Qute.

[Sberry]

Yes, 6011 was formulated to run on AC but work well,, maybe even better on DC especially out of position. The tin knockers use ot for butt welds and corner joints and edge welds. It works great for tack up under innersheild also. Because the operating characteristics are so much the same as 6010 I could never really fig out why they used it on tin though. I think if a guy had DC there isnt really much point in having it.

[cope]

I had always heard you couldn't use 6010 on AC, but I found a few mixed in with my 6011 and they seemed to work fine. Wasn't for anything critical anyway.

[Sberry]

Mostly I think its the operating characteristics and the arc stability. 7018 will run on AC also, just not very well and not very well out of position.

[dseman]

6011 on dcen is better than 6010 for sheetmetal butt and corner because it has a better spray transfer (per lincoln).
I've not had a chance to do a comparison myself though.
-dseman

[theshop]

i know this is a hobart site BUT

check this out.. i ave one and its great

https://ssl.lincolnelectric.com/lincoln/spmount/item.asp?prodnum=C2.410

[Snidley]

Hi Dennis...

For your hobby work (and practice) 6011 and 6013 rods will fit the bill for the majority of your needs. Another easy rod to get back into the swing of things would be the 7014. This is a drag rod - can be used DCEP or DCEN. As long as you have a dry place to put them, these rods store easily.

[cope]

7014

Also works great on AC.