What Rod did I use?

[bigtiller]

I took a REALLY brief welding class many years ago. While practicing my horizontal welds with some 1/4 inch flat stock I found a rod that would push its self along. All I had to do to make a good looking weld was just start a nice puddle and drop the rod tip into the edge of the puddle, guide the rod where I wanted the bead, and relax my arm, it actually pushed the rod along at the proper speed. But I can't remember what rod I was using.

Anyone ever tried that? Any clues as to what rod I was using?

 

[CNC Dan]

I would guess 7018 or 7014.
Was this a real welding school, or some kind of trade school?

 

[k0ua]

7014 if it made a flat weld.

 

[bigtiller]

I would guess 7018 or 7014.
Was this a real welding school, or some kind of trade school?

The company was needing welders but had too many other employees so they paid someone to teach a few volunteers a little bit about welding after the work day was over. The hope was some of the volunteers would see how much fun it was and move into a welding career with the company. That way no one would get laid off and they would have enough welders.

The plan failed.

 

[kneedeep]

Try this calculator. There is also Apps for phones that work good

Miller - Stick Welding Calculator

 

[rankrank1]

My guess would be 7014. By far about the easiest stick rod there is to run. So easy to run that it is often called "idiot rod" as it darn near welds itself.

Burns very nice on even the cheapest of AC output welders.

 

[bigtiller]

Okay, thanks guys. The next time I go to town I will buy some 7014 to try out and I will report back with my findings.

 

[Arc weld]

Was the coating on the rod really thick and did the slag curl up on its own? I'm thinking you mean horizontal fillet welds and if it was for production work, I'd wager a guess it was 7024. Similar to 7014 but more iron powder for faster deposition. Used to be used a lot for things like oilfield storage tanks but now most of those jobs are done with flux-core wire.

 

[bigtiller]

Was the coating on the rod really thick and did the slag curl up on its own? I'm thinking you mean horizontal fillet welds and if it was for production work, I'd wager a guess it was 7024. Similar to 7014 but more iron powder for faster deposition. Used to be used a lot for things like oilfield storage tanks but now most of those jobs are done with flux-core wire.

I had to think about this for a while, it was a really long time ago (1989). From what I remember, I will answer yes to slag curl, horizontal fillet and production work. But mostly I remember that with a low rod angle, I didn't have to pull the weld, it pushed me out of its way, all I had to do was steer it.

Is 7024 still sold at farm or big box stores? My nearest weld supply store is far away.

 

[CJONE]

Was the coating on the rod really thick and did the slag curl up on its own? I'm thinking you mean horizontal fillet welds and if it was for production work, I'd wager a guess it was 7024. Similar to 7014 but more iron powder for faster deposition. Used to be used a lot for things like oilfield storage tanks but now most of those jobs are done with flux-core wire.

When showing people how to run 7024 I used to start the bead then lay the stinger down and walk around behind them and ask how the weld was doing!!! Built alot of skids and pans with that stuff. CJ

 

[CNC Dan]

I had to think about this for a while, it was a really long time ago (1989). From what I remember, I will answer yes to slag curl, horizontal fillet and production work. But mostly I remember that with a low rod angle, I didn't have to pull the weld, it pushed me out of its way, all I had to do was steer it.

Is 7024 still sold at farm or big box stores? My nearest weld supply store is far away.

Could be 7014 or 7024. They both can run like that. The 7024 is the one that the flux coating makes the rod about twice as thick as the wire core. 7014 a little less than twice.

 

[eastexan]

I agree that 7014 & 7024 is your best bet. But between the two, the 7014 is the most versatile since it's an all-position rod.

The 6013 is used by a lot of people because it's easy to run. But the downside to it is that it's a shallow penetrating rod and should only be used for sheet metal, IMO.

If you have DC welder, then 7018 would also be a good choice. But the easiest rod to use in all position and in any kind of weather, and with most any type of welder is the 7014.