Dc or ac welder

[Treemonkey1000]

Thanks for the Info Penn Weldor. You will see a lot of threads on welders going on in here. Thanks for the info on tinning the ends of the wires for connectors on a welder. I'd drag you out here to Washington state to give me some lessons. A buddy of mine is doing some fabrication for a log boom for my tractor now.
Give a soldering iron and a computer board full of electronics and I am in my environment!

 

[California]

If you can afford it, go AC/DC. You won't be disappointed.

Great post!

Did you mean E6011 is easier to run than E6010?

I have another question: For farm mending work, rods may sit around for a long time before they are needed for some emergency. It is my impression that E6011 and E6013, (both suitable for AC) stand up to long storage better than 7-series. Any comments re informal storage?

Tinned wires???

 

[Pennsylvania Weldor]

Great post!

Did you mean E6011 is easier to run than E6010?

I have another question: For farm mending work, rods may sit around for a long time before they are needed for some emergency. It is my impression that E6011 and E6013, (both suitable for AC) stand up to long storage better than 7-series. Any comments re informal storage?

Tinned wires???

The tinned wires came from another post.

E60ll are easier to use and more versatile than the 6010. Same strength, all position welding, just the 6011 can be used with both ac/dc. E-6013 have a different flux coating, and are generally used for poor fit up and welds requiring shallow penetration. They do an excellent job on sheet metal. Leave a pretty bead also. They DO require very clean metal for proper usage.

Rod storage: ANY welding rod left exposed to the atmosphere for longer than 20 minutes absorbs enough moisture that it is no longer considered usable for code welding. However, since most don't do welding requiring xray inspection, etc, storage in a plastic welding rod storage tube is very adequate. It's how I store mine. They will hold 10 lbs of rods.

Here's a pic

They come in different colors, can be bought at welding supply houses, eBay, Amazon.com, etc.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Pennsylvania Weldor

Always good to have another weldor on the board. Us novices need all the help we can get.

 

[Soundguy]

Great post!

Did you mean E6011 is easier to run than E6010?

I have another question: For farm mending work, rods may sit around for a long time before they are needed for some emergency. It is my impression that E6011 and E6013, (both suitable for AC) stand up to long storage better than 7-series. Any comments re informal storage?

Tinned wires???

I also use the storage tubes.. they work good.

Tinned wires refers to a solder wicked/coating on solid or stranded wire.. or other solder fit up joint. Tinned wires don't crush-out as easilly from a crimp or pressure style connector..

soundguy

 

[Sully2]

Thanks. The dc machine would be easier to give smooth welds?
I have a small 120v mig, for most things I would use it. Was thinking about stick welder for 1/4" and above. I've used a few mig machines, never used a stick machine though.

If you can afford it...Id suggest you buy the Hobart AC/DC Stickmate. You'll be covered to do anything you dreamed of doing..and more.

In a stick welder..I much prefer a DC machine..and I also prefer 7018 rods...which BTW create a higher tensil strength weld that a "60" series rod will...BUT..it has less penetration. But with a properly prepped joint..its a moot point because its still very easy to burn all the way thru material..let alone get 100% penetration!

I use "wire fed welders" ( MIG without gas) and fluxcore wire because I have to work outside and any puff of wind will blow the shielding gas away from the weld..but dont look at welders as "MIG OR STICK! Two seperate machines..two seperate methods for more than 2 different applications.

MIG ( wire fed welders) welders are more $$$ initially...so many cant / wont / dont want to shell out the $$ to buy one and thusly have some sort of hatred for them...but...BUT..a wire fed welder is MUCH easier to learn on and can and does make welds every bit IF NOT MORE, structurally sound as any "stick" machine can.

 

[dirt clod]

Thanks guys. I dont see many people with Dc stick welders. The ac machines can be found used but I dont see any Dc machines. The biggest problem I have with welding is practice. Most times I'm welding it's something broken are modifying of my own. As such it's small welding jobs here and there and just about the time I get the feel of things again I'm done. My grinding skills are pretty good though

 

[pat32rf]

Some of the old Lincoln calenders and literature had a break-down of how the different numbered rods are used. If a rod has the numbers on them they are interchangable between brands. I've got the chart stuck to the wall above my rod shelf for those days that my memory gets short..

 

[JoelD]

I've been using 7014 rods on my DC machine, they seem easy to use and provide adequate penetration. Miller handbook makes it seem as though they are good general use rods, is this not the case?

As with most tools, I suggest getting the most you can to avoid future purchases. I had AC buz box prior, and now that I have my Miller Bluestar 6000, makes the old machine seem useless, 185 amp DC machine, makes welding the big stuff easy. Where I had to make multiple passes in the past I can make one now. Much much easier.

As with tractors, typically a little more is better than a little less.

My 2 cents.

Good luck.
Joel

 

[California]

Some of the old Lincoln calenders and literature had a break-down of how the different numbered rods are used. If a rod has the numbers on them they are interchangable between brands. I've got the chart stuck to the wall above my rod shelf for those days that my memory gets short..

I'm simpleminded. I have some 6011 for penetration and rusty work, and some 6013 for better looking work on clean material. Oh and some nickel rod I used on cast iron. That's it, easy to keep straight.

Good thing, those are about the only grades I can use on this AC box!

I had AC buz box prior, and now that I have my Miller Bluestar 6000, makes the old machine seem useless, 185 amp DC machine, makes welding the big stuff easy.

Looking online I see one of those would cost me 53 times what I paid for my 230 amp AC welder.

Either might be the right solution for the original poster. It depends on what he needs, and wants to pay. Since he asked about used tombstone Lincolns, I assumed he was looking in the $200 and under range.