New to welding

[burzynsr]

Hope everyone is having a good day. Ok, I received free from a guy at work (who had inherited it) a Lincoln 225 amp AC welder. Just can't beat the price so I am going to start welding. It is pretty dusty and just needs some attention. I went ahead and hooked it up to a 30 amp breaker (I have the 50 it needs), the cooling fan works. I borrowed a few rods from work, 6010's and 7118's. I know that the 6010's are for DC and I think the 7118's are for AC. I had an old spare tire rack and was able to burn one of each rod down all the way. Yes the 6010 splattered everywhere and the 7118 did leave a partially visible bead. Remember this is my first time welding so I was happy that I was able to strike and maintain and arc with a machine that might not have even worked at all, but it did!

My first question is what rod should I use for general welding with this AC machine? As soon as I get it permanently hooked up I am going to start on some scrap metal and see how big of a mess I can make. I will stop here for now but I will have many questions to come in the future. Any suggestions will be very much appreciated.

 

[stuckmotor]

I like E6011 and E7018AC. My AC Lincoln runs them well and my DC Everlast does too.. The Lowes where I live carries these rods.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sorry, but I'm gonna hijack your thread. But it may have useful information. Always nice to know what you can and can't weld.

My lady friend took my prized and expensive GRANT Steel D handle Bedding fork and used it to dig potatoes.

Aside from being all bent, which I can straighten, a couple of tines are broken at the handle. But they are all kind of inter-twined so if broken, it doesn't just fall off.

Anyway, for the heck of it, I tried to MIG it. No way, no how. .035 Wire. Just balled up.

Would a stick work? AC or DC? I know, it's tempered spring steel.

 

[RNeumann]

AC welders need AC rod. 6011 is the common rod that “digs”. This is “in general” for heavier utilitarian type welds. 6013 is “in general” the common beginner rod for thinner material and or where a pretty weld is needed.

With those two rods in say 1/8” and 3/16” you can weld about everything that machine was designed to weld.

 

[jgriffin1720]

6011 will do most anything on ac and its good for repair welding on dirty or rusty steel. 7018AC is good for welding on clean steel and is a bit stronger, especially in applications where welds will be shock loaded but it really needs to be dried in an oven. I would get a box of 3/32 6011 and a box of 1/8 6011 and learn to weld with that for now. There are different techniques guys like to use with 6011 so youtube will be your friend. Eventually you learn all of it and use what whatever technique makes the most sense for what you're welding at the time. Figure out the 6011 electrode in all positions, or at least flat, horizontal, and vertical. Then start playing with other electrodes.

 

[Jeepnford]

Do a web search on stick welding electrode charts. They will give specs on the different rods. Also, if you're a youtuber, look for channels from chucke2009 and weldingtipsandtricks.

 

[Shield Arc]

For what little I've run 6011, I really like Hobart's 335A 6011.

 

[prichard]

For what little I've run 6011, I really like Hobart's 335A 6011.

Man, you've come a long way in the couple weeks you've been welding.

:laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

Man, you've come a long way in the couple weeks you've been welding.

:laughing:

Thank you very much!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Excellent rods for your machine include: 6011, 6013, 7014.

1/8" and 3/32" are the most used.

 

[burzynsr]

Thanks a lot guy's. I figured the 6011 would be the best from what I have heard and seen. You all have confirmed that for me.

 

[Deere Dude]

Thanks a lot guy's. I figured the 6011 would be the best from what I have heard and seen. You all have confirmed that for me.

I used 7014 rods for many years but after reading reviews on this forum for 5 years or so I bought 10# of 6011 rods. Now I still use 7014s because they seem to strike easier and am able to hold a bead better that 6011s. I would get a few pounds of each and experiment between the two.

 

[BMan2005]

Thanks a lot guy's. I figured the 6011 would be the best from what I have heard and seen. You all have confirmed that for me.

I really like 6011's. I learned pretty fast it's a very forgiving rod being fast freeze and easy to see the puddle, especially doing up hill welds. I'm definitely a beginner. 7014 is an awesome flat and horizontal rod but kicks my tail trying vertical up! Now I keep 6011 and 7018's. I can weld any position with either of those, just put your 7018's in a rod storage container and only take out what you need and keep it sealed if you use them.

 

[LD1]

7014 is one of the best rods for beginners. Might not be the deepest penetrating, or strongest.....but easy to start and easy to lay a good bead with. Which means its good for beginners to not get discouraged

 

[Gary Fowler]

I really like 6011's. I learned pretty fast it's a very forgiving rod being fast freeze and easy to see the puddle, especially doing up hill welds. I'm definitely a beginner. 7014 is an awesome flat and horizontal rod but kicks my tail trying vertical up! Now I keep 6011 and 7018's. I can weld any position with either of those, just put your 7018's in a rod storage container and only take out what you need and keep it sealed if you use them.

The reason you cant run the 7014 vertical is because it is not designed for that, it is a flat or horizontal rod only. I never really liked 7014 because of all the slag buildup and lack of penetration. It also seems to be a very brittle weld that can break easily under impact loads.

For the AC cracker box welding machines, stick with 6011 and 7018AC rods.

 

[BMan2005]

The reason you cant run the 7014 vertical is because it is not designed for that, it is a flat or horizontal rod only. I never really liked 7014 because of all the slag buildup and lack of penetration. It also seems to be a very brittle weld that can break easily under impact loads.

For the AC cracker box welding machines, stick with 6011 and 7018AC rods.

7014 is an all position rod, 7024 is not. Seems to take an experienced welder to weld vertical up with 7014, tough to do but definitely possible.

 

[Shield Arc]

I run 7014 vertical up hill like I do 7018.
First picture is 7014 vertical up hill.
Second picture is 7018 vertical up hill.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

AC welders need AC rod. 6011 is the common rod that “digs”. This is “in general” for heavier utilitarian type welds. 6013 is “in general” the common beginner rod for thinner material and or where a pretty weld is needed.

With those two rods in say 1/8” and 3/16” you can weld about everything that machine was designed to weld.

Don't forger 3/32 and 5/32. Just welded a cow lot with a catch pen, swinging radius bunching gate, chute with rolling gates, turned out nice. All with a 6011.

 

[Fallon]

Look it up online! But, remember you can't learn from books or online articles because it's a skill (or job, if you want to name it that way) that can only be mastered through practice. Where you will practice is another matter, but the point is that you have to practice. Search up for online or offline courses near you that will help you if you have no experience with welding. They will teach you how to work safely with welding and basic metal welding tips and techniques. I advise you to read more info here.

I'm guessing he figured things out back in 2018 when this thread ended.