6010 and or 8010 Rods

[paulharvey]

I don't do a huge amount of welding, but what I do do is 90% scrap metal. I have 6011 and 6013 in 3/32" and some 1/8". I much prefer the 6011 to the 6013 for what I do. Would 6010 or 8010 be a good general purpose rod? I understand it's a lot like 6011. Is 8010 available in 3/32" or 1/8"? I've seen it in 3/16" and 5/32".

What is 6010 good at?
What is 6010 bad at?

What is 8010 good at (other than pressure pipe)?
What is it bad at?

I am using a 130 amp AC/105 amp DC transformer, so I don't use anything bigger than 1/8".

Edit: by scrap I mean rebar, general scrap, and old equipment. Unknown grades, rusty (I do quickly clean it prior to welding)

 

[Walkin Horse]

6010 is used for the root pass in pipe welding. Also it is a good structural rod and a good all around farm weld rod. It has good penetration and good at filling gaps. Use a whipping up and down motion on a gap each time bringing the rod back to the spot that already has weld in it. Building it up with each whip of the rod.

8010 runs similar but is a little harder to control. I have used it on ammonia refrigeration pipe. It works well on subzero piping. Instead of using A 53 pipe it is used on A 333 pipe. At least in the times I have used it. I would think it is more expensive and really not needed in general welding.

 

[dstig1]

Are you aware that 6010 only runs on DC whereas 6011 can run on AC? Just checking - I see you have AC/DC capability, so probably not a big issue. Both 6010 and 11 run at lower amps than a lot of other rods, so you should have enough headroom to run 1/8" of either. Otherwise they are pretty similar to each other.

 

[Reyer Farms]

I would leave the 8010 at the store. Harder to control arc, not near as smooth running as 6010.

 

[paulharvey]

I would leave the 8010 at the store. Harder to control arc, not near as smooth running as 6010.

10-4. I had never heard of it till about 3 weeks ago when I was inspecting the road work after a 20" 450 psi gas line. They told me it's 8010 for strength and 7018 to cap. Every join xrayed and the whole pipe pressure tested at 900 psi for 2 hours with 100% nitrogen.

 

[BukitCase]

Agree with previous comments - If you mainly use scrap metal, it's doubtful you'd see any improvement over 60 series rods - the 60 means 60,000 pounds tensile strength

Welding Electrode: Chart and Selection

Here's a chart showing normal hot-rolled mild steel characteristics

Speedy Metals Information for HR Structural Shapes (HR Angles and Channels)

One more, from one of my favorite sites

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Rods

HTH... Steve