what steel?

[wushaw]

I'm no expert but IMO I would go with the mild steel like already said ( it's readily available) and 6011 rods also available everywhere, it's considered the farmers rod ( all purpose )

 

[wushaw]

I'm no expert but IMO I would go with the mild steel like already said ( it's readily available) and 6011 rods also available everywhere, it's considered the farmers rod ( all purpose )

 

[fiddleback]

thanks folks. Theres plenty of info there to get me well on my way Thanks again

 

[fiddleback]

thanks folks. Theres plenty of info there to get me well on my way Thanks again

 

[Highbeam]

Funny, I've also heard 7018 called a farmer's rod. I like the 6013, 6011 since they leave a nice flowing, nonporous, weld and are much less sensitive to moisture since I never use all 5 lbs at once. Even using the gasketed plastic cans my 7018 rod is noticably moisture fouled compared to new 7018.

60 and 70 series rod are 60 and 70,000 lbs of tensile strength I recall, and your basic A36 mild steel has a 36000 ksi strength so either rod is way stronger than the base metal. I have never seen a properly made weld break. I like the 6013 because it is so darn easy and consistent since moisture is tolerated.

 

[Ford960]

My dad always used 6011 and 6013 for all of his welding and when he taught me to weld 40 years ago that's what we used. He held 13 certifications so I think that he knew what he was talking about and we used the 6011 on rusted/painted steel that was too hard to prep and the 6013 on clean steel and where a nice bead appearance was desired. 6011 is harder to strike and tends to throw more sparks than 6013 and the 11 is easier to weld vertical and overhead. 6013 will actually run a bead by itself if you bend the rod and rest it so that it feeds itself. 6013 beads need to have all the slag removed or it will contaminate the next bead, however 6011 can be used without removing the slag and that saves time and also makes it easier to use for filling gaps, poor fit-up, and holes.
The design of the projects will have more bearing on possible failure than the type of rod used. I use mainly 1/8" rods.

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks Ford, that was a good explanation. I find 6013 very easy to strike and weld with and the finished bead has good appearance.

 

[gary1611]

I like the 7014 rod you get strenth ease of welding and good filling.
I find this rod much better than a 6011. my 2c

 

[stroker_ace]

Most buckets that are made for hyd. excavators or front end loaders are made of ASTM A572 Gr. 50 steel. Some buckets that are destined for high abrasive applications will have a lot of ASTM A514 or Hardox 500 added to the wear areas or for high stress locations. You might have trouble finding any of the two grades listed above as most smaller steel yards done stock these. They generally have A36 mild steel only.

 

[_RaT_]

I like 6011 for a variety of reasons the least of which is appearance but if you want a superb weld, a relatively easy rod to use and most importantly, great, superb penetration, 6011 is still my standard. It will perform well on ugly steel. I will use 7018 for large amounts of fill, its easy to use and leaves a nice bead. Those two rods are the standard for much heavy plate and pipe work.