Stick-welded today, and THOROUGHLY enjoyed it!

[Sodo]

I remember 1/16 rod. If they stick, you can't break them off after they turn orange (which takes about one second).

I'll get all kinds of rod next time at the store.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Hey Sodo - After tig welding for a while, I always appreciate the simplicity of stick welding.

There is something very pleasing about just letting my rod drag in the corner and a weld appearing like magic

I even started a thread about it

Stick welding...the simple things

Your stick welding looks good man

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I will have to totally agree with you on all three points you made.

Terry

Thanks Terry. I don't suppose that smoke is to good for us though!

 

[Big Barn]

Thanks Terry. I don't suppose that smoke is to good for us though!

RNR, I totally agree. It has been bothering me awhile and coincidentally I finally purchased a fume extractor the other day. Probably a very small investment to be able to live a little longer. (Hopefully)

Terry

 

[Big Barn]

Sodo, I just looked at all your photos again. If my beads could come out looking like that after a 36 year break I'd do it, but I'm afraid I'd run out of time.
Lookin good'!!

Terry

 

[LD1]

Not sure where you would find them at (welding supplies maybe) but I like some of the different alloy rods. Like harris super-missle, eutec 680, certanium, etc.

We get stuff like that at work quite a bit. They seem not as prone to cracking as typical 70xx or 60xx rods. And most of them have higher tensil strengths too. Some places call rods like this "maintenance" rods. Cause they have a variety of uses and can weld dis-similar materials. But they are very easy to run. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest: If 7018 is a 10, these alloy rods would rate a 2 or 3. Like running a 6013 or 7014 but a stronger weld.

I have heard that they are alot more expensive than standard rod though. I dont know, never had to buy them.

 

[Sodo]

Well, dredging memory from 36 years ago,,,, my dad always used 6011 and he said I could use 7018 on a visible weld if I wanted it to look good, but in general use 6011 because its tougher lesslikely to crack.

Stick welding in 2015 was easier than I recall in 1979. And I remember 7018 being easier to make a nice weld than 6011. But now I'm using an inverter machine (to DC). I think the most significant changes from 1979 are:

0) auto-dark helmet
1) the "pattern being "a series of little Js"
2) welding for the camera

 

[Shield Arc]

Not sure where you would find them at (welding supplies maybe) but I like some of the different alloy rods. Like harris super-missle

I use to get a steady diet of repairing pile driving followers. All cast steel. Trust me these things take a beating! Company would buy Super-Missle Weld by the 50-pound can. If you want to go cheaper 312 stainless steel is pretty much the same thing.

I've also had real good luck with 309 stainless steel for welding chains together for handling wire rope.