Best Practice Rod

[rutwad]

Thanks for taking time to reply. All of the information has been great because I know absolutely nothing. I will pick up some rods soon and hopefully start learning.

 

[woodlandfarms]

The only notes I have for a 1st timers is this. 7014 has a certain difficulty that for a first time welder can be a PITA (I am a 1st time welder). If you use part of the rod and stop the weld, the end of the 7014 usually gets covered over with slag and then the only way to start it is to either strike it VERY hard to break the slag away, or I have seen guys use a file and knock it off if they are beginners.

In Highschool, we were given an 8x8" plate and told to start welding lines. First one way, and then the other over top of the first. Once you made an entire side perfect in welds you moved on to other welds. I think my 8x8 was like 16" tall.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

The only notes I have for a 1st timers is this. 7014 has a certain difficulty that for a first time welder can be a PITA (I am a 1st time welder). If you use part of the rod and stop the weld, the end of the 7014 usually gets covered over with slag and then the only way to start it is to either strike it VERY hard to break the slag away, or I have seen guys use a file and knock it off if they are beginners.

In Highschool, we were given an 8x8" plate and told to start welding lines. First one way, and then the other over top of the first. Once you made an entire side perfect in welds you moved on to other welds. I think my 8x8 was like 16" tall.

I think you are thinking of 7018 for the hard slag on the end of the tip.
I'm no beginner, but I rake it over a file before restarts - much easier

7014 I just pinch the end of the rod with my glove to break the slag.
They re-strike pretty easy.

 

[LD1]

10ga with 1/16 rod on 33A? Is it just me or does that not sound right. 10ga is a tad heavier than 1/8". Which I would weld all day long on 3/32 or even 1/8" rod nearing 100a.

Or fwiw, would be mugging on 19-20ish volts and around 250ipm wire speed, depending on joint angle.

It then again, at work they pulse weld 16-18 gauge metal on 29-30v and around 650 ipm of .045 wire