6013 vs 7014 vs 7018

[pmsmechanic]

I've found too that different manufacturers rods weld differently. I don't do a lot of welding but I weld mostly with 7018AC. They are a more difficult rod to weld with. My reasoning is that if I weld with those rods then my skill level is reasonable when I do need to weld with a 7018. I've found that a Lincoln 7018AC welds a lot better than all the other brands of 7018AC that I've tried, so I buy Lincoln rods. I use AC rods because I don't have a DC welder and 7018's on an AC welder are just about impossible to weld with. I could do it when I was younger but those days are gone.

 

[grsthegreat]

I've found too that different manufacturers rods weld differently. I don't do a lot of welding but I weld mostly with 7018AC. They are a more difficult rod to weld with. My reasoning is that if I weld with those rods then my skill level is reasonable when I do need to weld with a 7018. I've found that a Lincoln 7018AC welds a lot better than all the other brands of 7018AC that I've tried, so I buy Lincoln rods. I use AC rods because I don't have a DC welder and 7018's on an AC welder are just about impossible to weld with. I could do it when I was younger but those days are gone.

i use lincoln 7018ac also, but on my dc rod positive setting. Makes a very easy weld on my machine. I nearly always get a great weld. I have used it on ac settings for thinner metal, but find it hard to strike a start on ac.

 

[GeneV]

Me personally find that I can run 6011 DCEN on thinner material than I can run 6013.

Oh wow really, that's surprising, I wonder how come?

 

[GeneV]

thinner metal you might try AC welding instead of DC. AC seems to work better on thin metals. But my mig works even better.

i use lincoln 7018ac also, but on my dc rod positive setting. Makes a very easy weld on my machine. I nearly always get a great weld. I have used it on ac settings for thinner metal, but find it hard to strike a start on ac.

Grs, my welder is DC only. But, I dunno if you mean welding on an AC machine or using it on a DC welder, per your last comment here. I think I'm doing ok welding on 1/4" with just regular 7018, I don't have too many problems with it. I haven't really welded with it with a purpose yet, just messing around practicing.

 

[GeneV]

I've found too that different manufacturers rods weld differently. I don't do a lot of welding but I weld mostly with 7018AC. They are a more difficult rod to weld with. My reasoning is that if I weld with those rods then my skill level is reasonable when I do need to weld with a 7018. I've found that a Lincoln 7018AC welds a lot better than all the other brands of 7018AC that I've tried, so I buy Lincoln rods. I use AC rods because I don't have a DC welder and 7018's on an AC welder are just about impossible to weld with. I could do it when I was younger but those days are gone.

You're doing it like training for fighting, bang like crazy in training so that it's easier in the ring or cage.

 

[grsthegreat]

Grs, my welder is DC only. But, I dunno if you mean welding on an AC machine or using it on a DC welder, per your last comment here. I think I'm doing ok welding on 1/4" with just regular 7018, I don't have too many problems with it. I haven't really welded with it with a purpose yet, just messing around practicing.

Mine is an ac /dc machine. You can run 7018 on either. Ive been told if the material is thinner (like 1/8” steel) , running that rod on ac side works better than reverse polarity dc. But ive never tested that theory as i use the mig for thin stuff. But, whatever works is good enough. 1/4” material works great on dc reverse polarity. My welds come out looking great.

 

[RandyT]

Oh wow really, that's surprising, I wonder how come?

I wondered if it has to do the the freeze rate of the filler material. the 6011 being a faster freeze rod.

 

[GeneV]

I wondered if it has to do the the freeze rate of the filler material. the 6011 being a faster freeze rod.

So with straight polarity, less heat goes to the metal and more to the rod, meaning less penetration before the weld freezes, and 6011 is a faster freeze rod compared to 6013?

 

[BukitCase]

More than you ever wanted to know about electrodes -
Welding Electrode: Chart and Selection - Weld Guru

... Steve

 

[GeneV]

More than you ever wanted to know about electrodes -
Welding Electrode: Chart and Selection - Weld Guru

... Steve

Oh that's a lot of info. Thanks much man, I'm gonna check that out!