I know 6010 (5P / 5p+) is a DC only rod and 6011 is AC or DC. I only weld with DC but have used 6011's for as long as I can remember. Other than the occasional times when I cap something with a 7018 I don't think I have used anything but a 6011 since I was in high school ag class nearly 20 yrs ago. Anyway was curious about the 6010 and just wondering what the difference is and if there was any reason to use it instead of a 6011 for general purpose welding? I have always heard it was a pipeliners rod but what does that mean really?
6010 vs 6011
- Thread starter bdog
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wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Red rod, 5P, is closer to being like the 6011 you're used to welding with. I know the 6010 offers some welding characteristics that are important to critical welding processes over 6011. But if you're welding with 6011 and grab some 5P your arc and welding will change little.
I've found the 5P+ to be a whole different animal. Now all I've used the 5P+ with is with either a Miller Legend or a Miller Trailblazer gas drives. So the better arc you get with these machines might be making a difference not found in other machines.
For me the + rod's arc is more plastic and less harsh than that of P or 6011. I vertical ups on fourteen gauge all the time and I think a lot of that comes from the sweet puddle that for me is well, more plastic, is the only way I can express it.
After the weld though is where the 5P+ shines like new shoes though. That's because the flux cleans up a kazillion times easier than the flux on P or 6011.
On ask andy (Miller welding forums) this topic came up the other day and some guys are big fans of ESAB's 10P+. They say it's ESAB's version of 5P+ and it costs a lot less. I"m setting pretty good on rod right now but I plan to try the 10P+ the next time I buy. Mostly because one of the guys showed a pic of a pipe weld with it and I found it looked a lot like what I get with the 5P+, better of course because he's a real weldor.
I always used dc machines,when I was learning and after and we always mainly used 6010..maybe never used a 6011? if I have not many for sure,but believe they are much alike,except the 6011 has a little different stuff in coating so's you can use it on ac.Maybe somebody who has run both lately can speak.
Pipeliner rod doesn't have same meaning it used to and even than it was used[6010,7010 etc] many other places than pipeline,,thing about 6010 verses 7018[the two main rods you might say],is one you can put a root in with and run downhill,the other[7018] roots are generally not run with them and they don't work to well down hill[top to bottom],rare to see any major construction using an ac welder with stick,,power plant type work is about all uphill,pipeline work is mainly downhill.
I use 5p +,6010,prefer it to the red 6010,seems smoother running.
Forgot to add,,you would need to run them both on dcep,than you could tell the differences.
Pipeliner rod doesn't have same meaning it used to and even than it was used[6010,7010 etc] many other places than pipeline,,thing about 6010 verses 7018[the two main rods you might say],is one you can put a root in with and run downhill,the other[7018] roots are generally not run with them and they don't work to well down hill[top to bottom],rare to see any major construction using an ac welder with stick,,power plant type work is about all uphill,pipeline work is mainly downhill.
I use 5p +,6010,prefer it to the red 6010,seems smoother running.
Forgot to add,,you would need to run them both on dcep,than you could tell the differences.
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Thanks for the replies. I have a trailblazer so maybe I can get some luck with the 5p+. Actually I will probably try the 10p+ since I saw those on the shelf at the local welding shop. I don't think they carry any Lincoln stuff.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Is this what you're talking about Harv?
Here is what the slag looks like on 10P-Plus.
AlanB
Elite Member
One of the shops I work with says that 6010 is a bit more pliable / malleable than the others. Not sure how scientific their tests or conclusions are but where they base that on is that they have a REALLY large roller in their shop so tend to roll up big pipes. I think the last thing they did for me was about a 72" diameter tank out of 1/8" I think it was.
They get the flat blank rolled into almost a circle (your last 12" or so come out flat) and they get it rolled till it is joined. Then they do some substantial tacks with 6010 and grind it flat then continue rolling it round, takes the two flats and rolls them into a smooth ring.
They said other rods they tried to do it with would crack and break as they tried to roll it through the roller.
Like I said nothing scientific.
Personally I get 50 pound boxes of 6011 and that is just what I use. My type of work involves more "close enough" than I would care to admit
They get the flat blank rolled into almost a circle (your last 12" or so come out flat) and they get it rolled till it is joined. Then they do some substantial tacks with 6010 and grind it flat then continue rolling it round, takes the two flats and rolls them into a smooth ring.
They said other rods they tried to do it with would crack and break as they tried to roll it through the roller.
Like I said nothing scientific.
Personally I get 50 pound boxes of 6011 and that is just what I use. My type of work involves more "close enough" than I would care to admit
Shield Arc
Super Member
One of my Lincoln books has Fleetweld 35, (6011) with an as welded yield of 50,000 to 72,000.
Fleetweld 5P, (6010) yield is 50,000 to 65,000
Fleetweld 5P+, (6010) yield is 50,000 to 75,000
Fleetweld 5P, (6010) yield is 50,000 to 65,000
Fleetweld 5P+, (6010) yield is 50,000 to 75,000
From what I read the best all around rod is 6011 because you can use it in any welder and it will dig through rust and paint and has deep penetration.
6010 supposed to have the same characteristics but it is DC only and supposed to run smoother and easier to maintain arc. That said I never tried 6010 because I bought about 15lbs 6011, 5lbs of 7014, 5lbs of 6013 and 15 lbs of 7018 rods at a yard sale and they work fine for my need. It was interesting to learn how they run different but it means little in my welding. When this supply runs out I might buy some 6010 but that will be a year or three before that happens. They hold steel very well and that is my only need.
Edit: Nice root pass there Shield Arc. That must be a drag to keep the rod in the proper position on that small diameter pipe.
EDIT #2 I stand corrected by the below post. Thanks.
6010 supposed to have the same characteristics but it is DC only and supposed to run smoother and easier to maintain arc. That said I never tried 6010 because I bought about 15lbs 6011, 5lbs of 7014, 5lbs of 6013 and 15 lbs of 7018 rods at a yard sale and they work fine for my need. It was interesting to learn how they run different but it means little in my welding. When this supply runs out I might buy some 6010 but that will be a year or three before that happens. They hold steel very well and that is my only need.
Edit: Nice root pass there Shield Arc. That must be a drag to keep the rod in the proper position on that small diameter pipe.
EDIT #2 I stand corrected by the below post. Thanks.
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Mark @ Everlast
Advertiser
Easy Go,
6010 is not easier to maintain/start an arc or smoother than 6011. It is harsher, more driving and more difficult to keep running stable. 6011 has arc stabilizers in the flux, but that reduces the penetration that it has compared to the 6010. The 6010 is favored because: 1) The penetration is superior 2) It is the fastest freezing rod that is commonly available and works well in out of position or in open root situations. 3) Welding speed can be quite fast in the forward direction. 4) The whipping action used to weld 6010 makes a small, narrow root pass, perfect for laying a fill or cap pass on top with a 7018. 5) Less flux.
I am sure there are more reasons, that Shield Arc or Gauthier can add, but these pop in on the top of my head.
6010 is not easier to maintain/start an arc or smoother than 6011. It is harsher, more driving and more difficult to keep running stable. 6011 has arc stabilizers in the flux, but that reduces the penetration that it has compared to the 6010. The 6010 is favored because: 1) The penetration is superior 2) It is the fastest freezing rod that is commonly available and works well in out of position or in open root situations. 3) Welding speed can be quite fast in the forward direction. 4) The whipping action used to weld 6010 makes a small, narrow root pass, perfect for laying a fill or cap pass on top with a 7018. 5) Less flux.
I am sure there are more reasons, that Shield Arc or Gauthier can add, but these pop in on the top of my head.
So in a nutshell if I have the ability / skill to weld with the 6010, and a DC machine, it would be a superior rod to the 6011 for most applications.
