Stick welding question

[deereman75]

Well I have yet another stick question. I am wondering what the rule for rod size to base metal thickness is. Also, I would say I am a hobbiest welder at best, so any tips regarding practice will help a lot. (I hope to be considered a good welder someday...)

 

[strum456]

Well I have yet another stick question. I am wondering what the rule for rod size to base metal thickness is. Also, I would say I am a hobbiest welder at best, so any tips regarding practice will help a lot. (I hope to be considered a good welder someday...)

I have a book that says rod diameter should never exceed material thickness and material thickness should not exceed 2x rod diameter. I have always used this rule with success.

 

[deereman75]

I have a book that says rod diameter should never exceed material thickness and material thickness should not exceed 2x rod diameter. I have always used this rule with success.

Thanks, that will help me a lot. I assume that is only for single pass welds though. I cant see needing a 1/4 rod to weld 1/2 inch multi pass.

 

[rhett]

The Book....

That refers to a single pass capability.

90 percent of most field work is done with 1/8" 7018 as filler. Thickness of material requires multiple passes, then a cap.

6010 is the preferred rod for the root pass because of dig.

Yup, a 1/8" rod repairs beyond 12" thick steel.

Sheet metal and thin stock require smaller rods. Larger rods are only used for production purposes.

 

[deereman75]

The Book....

That refers to a single pass capability.

90 percent of most field work is done with 1/8" 7018 as filler. Thickness of material requires multiple passes, then a cap.

6010 is the preferred rod for the root pass because of dig.

Yup, a 1/8" rod repairs beyond 12" thick steel.

Sheet metal and thin stock require smaller rods. Larger rods are only used for production purposes.

Ok that makes sense. I guess the only rods I really need are 7018 1/8, and 6010/6011 1/8, and some 3/32 6011s for thin stuff.

 

[rhett]

Ok that makes sense. I guess the only rods I really need are 7018 1/8, and 6010/6011 1/8, and some 3/32 6011s for thin stuff.

Yes 1/8" 7018 rocks

6013 for the thin stuff though

 

[deereman75]

Yes 1/8" 7018 rocks

6013 for the thin stuff though

Ya I guess 6013 is better for thin, I just cant get a good weld other then a butt weld with them. I bet after burning a few more # of them I will be able to get good welds with them.

 

[dstig1]

Have you tried going EN with the 6013 on thin stuff? It helps over EP. And move fast.

In general the guidelines as stated by previous posters are spot on for the home hobbyist types. Using 1/8 rod on 1/8" steel is difficult. It is much easier to step down to 3/32, no matter which rod you pick for the situation. As stated, this gets to be silly once you get above 1/4" metal, but a great many hobby projects are done in the 1/16"-3/16" range, and for those, you want to use smaller rods. Yes, I know it is hard to get even 1/16" rods, but that is what small MIGs were created for

 

[Shield Arc]

I'd say unless you're working to a WPS, there are no rules! It's what ever you can handle. But when you get out on the job site and everybody is running 5/32 7018 vertical up hill and you're running 3/32 you'll have to work through lunch, and stay late to keep up!:laughing:
I think my hobby shop is pretty well set up, I have maybe a 5# box of 1/16 rod under the rod oven, and maybe 15 #s of 5/32 7018 left over from a project. I mostly have 3/32, and 1/8 6010 / 11, and 7018. But I do have a can of 3/16 6010 to wake up those SA-200s when they've been setting awhile.

 

[deereman75]

Have you tried going EN with the 6013 on thin stuff? It helps over EP. And move fast.

I wish I could, but all I have right now is a lincoln ac only tombstone. I will hopefully be getting a dc welder before too long. Really looking at the old PowCon machines, many say they last forever.