Hobart stickmate LX

[xlr82v2]

The only real way to see how much penetration you're getting is to section one of your welds, then etch it with an acid... that will show your penetration.

[Skyco]

Question for ya'll using the 7018 rods- I bought some 7018AC rods for my Lincoln AC tombstone, welds look good but dang that is the most difficult slag to get off I've ever seen...my weld area looks like crap after I beat the snot out of it with the chipping hammer Is this normal with these rods?

[johnk]

Originally Posted by johnk

TSC had them on sale and I picked one up for $348.00 because they said they aren't carrying them anymore. So I picked one up and bought some 6011 and 7018 rods. I was welding at about 100 amps dc+. I am open to criticism of these poor welds. Too fast? Not enough juice. Too close?? Too far. I have a 110 lincoln mig and make good welds but it is soooo slow......... I don't think I would hang from these welds where my life was in danger. What are your opinions??

Just got home from work and ran a couple more beads. They look a little better to me. What do the pros have to say? I'm used to criticism...I'm married..

[DavidVT]

Wow, great price you got on that welder.

I just bought one on line and was happy at 419.. bummer.

I got the house wired and ran a few beads (neubie also) so I can say it worked. My wife told me the lights did not dim so I guess the wiring is right....

Your beads look much better than mine but all I had to work with were the tiny rods that came with my worthless walmart stick welder that this replaces...

Now on the other side of the world working for a bit. Can't wait to get back to play with my new LX also...

Darn that was a good price...

[johnk]

They had 2 left. One was in a box and the other wasn't. They had them next to the door as you entered along with a set of torches and some other stuff. They said they weren't carrying them any longer and had them discounted and also there was a 20 percent discount in their flier. Should have bought them both. I used up the discount in electricity already but thats what life is all about.

[lhfarm]

Hobart hosts a great board at Weld Talk Message Boards - Powered by vBulletin. There are a lot of welding pros there and they have always been extremely helpful in figuring out problems and fixes. I love using my Stickmate. It hasn't made me a good welder, but it has allowed me to build some great attachments.

[johnk]

Thanks for all the replies. I have still have some questions as to why i would want to use a deep penetration rod EX 6011 VS a 7018 which is a low penetration rod. I thought deep penetration is good on all welding projects. Why would I want low or med??? Here are some pics of my 3 rd day welding. I 'm sure they would all hold but which weld is the best??? Thanks for your insight....

[flusher]

Originally Posted by johnk

TSC had them on sale and I picked one up for $348.00 because they said they aren't carrying them anymore. So I picked one up and bought some 6011 and 7018 rods. I was welding at about 100 amps dc+. I am open to criticism of these poor welds. Too fast? Not enough juice. Too close?? Too far. I have a 110 lincoln mig and make good welds but it is soooo slow......... I don't think I would hang from these welds where my life was in danger. What are your opinions??

I bought the same welder at the same price at TSC last year.
My problems are holdng a 2-3mm arc gap consistently and moving at a slow, even pace. I'm getting better now. When a pay attention to the edge of the weld puddle to make sure it's tying into the base metal evenly, then my welds are pretty good.

[Dargo]

Originally Posted by johnk

Thanks for all the replies. I have still have some questions as to why i would want to use a deep penetration rod EX 6011 VS a 7018 which is a low penetration rod. I thought deep penetration is good on all welding projects. Why would I want low or med??? Here are some pics of my 3 rd day welding. I 'm sure they would all hold but which weld is the best??? Thanks for your insight....

There are many variables depending on the desired end result. I can't recall exactly where I was taught the five basic principles (other than having clean rust free and grease free and paint free material) of:

1: The current setting

2: The length of arc

3: The angle of electrode

4: The approach or manipulation of electrode

5: The speed of travel...

Those are not principles that I can take credit for, but principles taught in classes and in books. As in most things, if you have the core basics down pat, the rest will come easy...or relatively easy. I still hate overhead welding. I've caught too many portions of my body and clothing on fire from doing that than anything else in my life!

Fortunately, as I mentioned previously, new welders come with charts on them that give pretty darn good advice as to the current setting suggested for different rods on different thicknesses of materials. The other items are just learned through practice to where they come as second nature and you don't ever even think about them.

And, to no surprise, not only are different types of welding a bit different (mig, tig, arc, brazing etc.), but many types of metal weld differently and you have to adjust your procedure to them. Seriously, try some 6013 rods on reverse polarity DC for a bit. The rods aren't that cheap. You will be able to lay down a decent bead easier than with most other electrodes. From there, move to different thicknesses of material with the 6013s. Once you feel you have that mastered, move to a 7018 electrode and practice the same. Then go to a 6010 etc. I just suggest the 6013 to start with because it will be the easiest. Then work your way up. When you can lay down a perfect bead, with good penetration, overhead call me.

[Soundguy]

I've got a hobart stickmatelx235AC.. I wonder why they aren't carrying them anymore?

I love my welder.. plenty of amps to weld big stuff like 1/2 " plate.

soundguy