welding rod question

[Ole Orange]

First off i have no formal training on welding, actualy no informal training either. I have learned over the years from asking questions and alot of practice. I do mostly just repairs to my equipment and a little fabrication here and there I need to buy some rod for my lincoln 225 AC buzz box and have used 6011 for years. Now go easy on me as I am not a welder, what would my best rod be for someone without any training???:laughing:
Thanks for any input.

 

[Glocker]

7018AC

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm all for 7018, but try some 7014. It's childs play to run.

 

[Ole Orange]

I'm all for 7018, but try some 7014. It's childs play to run.

W
Thanks how good does 7014 penatrate compared to 6011 most of my work is heavy metal on my equipment trailer, plow, or tractor.

 

[Shield Arc]

6010, and 6011 are very high penetrating rods. For a very good weld you would want to use 6011 for the root pass, then 7018 for fill and cap. Member her Furu brought over some 7018 AC one time, I thought it was real nice. But I have a life time of running 7018. 7014 is real easy to run, but I'm not impressed with it's impact qualities. I did some fillet weld break tests a few years ago. Here are the results.
6013 broke with only 3-blows of a 4-pound hammer.
6011 = 8-blows.
7014 = 10-blows.
6010 5P-Plus = 10-blows.
7018 cold never seen the inside of an oven = 18-blows.
7018 right out of the oven = 23-blows.

 

[nybirdman]

And remember to use any "70" rod your surface must be clean.It does not do well with rust,oil ,scale ect. 6011 for your first pass then 7018AC with your AC buzz box.

 

[rankrank1]

If you have already been running 6011 for years then most other rods that are suitable for AC will seem easy in comparison.

My AC stable of rods:

a) 6011 (rusty, dirty metal and deep penetrator).
b) 7014 (Medium penetrator that runs like a dream on AC. Many people call this "idiot rod" as it almost welds by itself. A must have rod for anyone with an AC buzzbox IMOP. 7014 actually runs better on AC than it does on DC where most other rods will usually burn a tad better on DC).
c) 6013 (light penetrator and very useful if no wire feeder for thin metal. I personally would not use 6013 for stuff requiring max strength though but it has it's uses).
d) 7018AC (Medium penetrator and very ductile. Has it's quirks though and can be tempermental to run. Technically should be kept in a rod oven as it will draw moisture and it loses many of its excellent properties and becomes even more tempermental to run as the rods gain moisture. Still very useful though especially for alloy steels compared to mild steels).

 

[Ole Orange]

If you have already been running 6011 for years then most other rods that are suitable for AC will seem easy in comparison.

My AC stable of rods:

a) 6011 (rusty, dirty metal and deep penetrator).
b) 7014 (Medium penetrator that runs like a dream on AC. Many people call this "idiot rod" as it almost welds by itself. A must have rod for anyone with an AC buzzbox IMOP. 7014 actually runs better on AC than it does on DC where most other rods will usually burn a tad better on DC).
c) 6013 (light penetrator and very useful if no wire feeder for thin metal. I personally would not use 6013 for stuff requiring max strength though but it has it's uses).
d) 7018AC (Medium penetrator and very ductile. Has it's quirks though and can be tempermental to run. Technically should be kept in a rod oven as it will draw moisture and it loses many of its excellent properties and becomes even more tempermental to run as the rods gain moisture. Still very useful though especially for alloy steels compared to mild steels).

Thanks all!!! I was told 30 years ago 6011 was idiot rod so thats what I always used, gon through 25 or so lbs over the years. I cant wait to try 7014 because I struggle at times welding especially vertical. How doeos it do vertical?

 

[Ole Orange]

If you have already been running 6011 for years then most other rods that are suitable for AC will seem easy in comparison.

My AC stable of rods:

a) 6011 (rusty, dirty metal and deep penetrator).
b) 7014 (Medium penetrator that runs like a dream on AC. Many people call this "idiot rod" as it almost welds by itself. A must have rod for anyone with an AC buzzbox IMOP. 7014 actually runs better on AC than it does on DC where most other rods will usually burn a tad better on DC).
c) 6013 (light penetrator and very useful if no wire feeder for thin metal. I personally would not use 6013 for stuff requiring max strength though but it has it's uses).
d) 7018AC (Medium penetrator and very ductile. Has it's quirks though and can be tempermental to run. Technically should be kept in a rod oven as it will draw moisture and it loses many of its excellent properties and becomes even more tempermental to run as the rods gain moisture. Still very useful though especially for alloy steels compared to mild steels).

Thanks all!!! I was told 30 years ago 6011 was idiot rod so thats what I always used, gone through 25 or so lbs over the years. I cant wait to try 7014 because I struggle at times welding especially vertical. How doeos it do vertical?

 

[Shield Arc]

Never ran it vertical down hill. I'm not big on down hill welding, even tho it has it's place.
Vertical up hill with 7014, again childs play!:thumbsup: