What rod is which?

[Nomoregears]

Yeah I hear you. I had a little buzz box once that burned 3/32 @ 120 amps.
I generally go by "ear". If it sounds like bacon cooking in the pan and it's not spattering too much it's good to go. I've learned that those guides posted on the welding machine(inside Mig Covers) are just that, General guides not specific.
I used an auto darkening hood a while back and felt blind. To each his own.
If you have a hard time seeing the puddle, try a reflective lense, it has helped me in the past.
Everybodies eyes are different. One person may need a 10 shade to mig while another may need an 11.
It isn't the perfect world. You make do with what you can. There is generally more than one way of doing something.
SMB

 

[IslandTractor]

FYI, WeldingWeb is a TBN like community for welding. This is the home page: WeldingWeb™ - Professional Welding Forum - Powered by vBulletin

Lots of experienced weldors who are very willing to answer basic and complex questions.

 

[Soundguy]

what's everyone using for a poor fit rod on mild steel? 60k strenght is fine.. and penetration is not an issue, surface prep will be good.

Soundguy

 

[AlanB]

How poor of a fit?

7014 is fast fill fast freeze, but usually a 6011 will cut in and work in most situations. If you go with a 6013 and you end up tracking back across your slag (trying to join the poor fit) you can end up with problems, where the 6011 will cut through.