(Re)starting to learn stick - which rod?

[dstig1]

I picked up a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone for dirt cheap a few weeks back on CL. Now I finally have some scrap steel to start practicing with. I took a Tech college class about 12+ yrs ago that covered all kinds of welding from OA to Stick, MIG and even TIG and one shot at submerged arc (the teacher was pretty cool), but I have to say I remember little as I haven't picked up a welder since. I'm probably going to retake it this fall to get better but I want to start messing with this to get some of the feel back. I've read a lot the past few months and understand things better than when I first took the class, so I'm expecting that the second go-around will be much more useful, especially with some advance practice.

So the question: The welder came with a huge pile of rods: 6011, 6013 and 7014 (plus a little 7018 that I tossed as it had to be old and well exposed to humidity...). 3/32" and 1/8" in these 3 rods. So which one is the good one to start practicing with? I seem to get conflicting opinions with what I have read so I thought I would throw it out there to the TBN weldmeisters.

Fire away!

 

[2458n]

6013 works

 

[chopped]

Huge pile wil be small in no time

 

[brain55]

I have always liked 7014. You know when you have the amperage correct, as the weld cools the slag just lifts itself off, practically no chipping. It also has an easy to control puddle. I am not a professional welder, nor do I play one on television. This is just my observation from using it early in my welding experience when all I had was an AC buzzbox.

Brian

 

[Baby Grand]

The 6013 and 7014 will work great on DC if you do plenty of weld prep before striking off. What thicknesses scrap do you have? Is there rust, paint or other surface treatment? If so, you might try getting some 6010 in 3/32 or 1/8 size. It works well for welding pieces that haven't been highly prepped.
Good luck & remember: if you're doing it right it should sound like bacon frying in the pan.

-Jim

 

[dstig1]

Thanks - the steel is pretty clean - light/patchy surface rust is all. I can wire brush it a bit first, if needed.

Electrode positive on both of those (6013/7014) right?

 

[Baby Grand]

Cribbed from somewhere on the 'net:

The terms "straight" and "reverse" polarity are used around the shop. They may also be expressed as "electrode-negative" and "electrode-positive" polarity. The latter terms are more descriptive and will be used throughout this article.

With few exceptions, electrode-positive (reversed polarity) results in deeper penetration. Electrode-negative (straight polarity) results in faster melt-off of the electrode and, therefore, faster deposition rate.

- so yes, electrode positive for relatively thick sections of steel.

 

[gauthier]

Well,smaller rods make smaller puddles and are easier to control,try them all,don't be afraid of cranking your machine up and down

 

[LD1]

6013 and 7014 are both easy rods to run. They are easy to start and make a nice puddle that the slag almost falls off of.

The 6011 is a little more difficult unless you are doing a lot of 1/4 and thicker material.

I perfer the 7014 since it runs just about as nice as the 6013 but is a little stronger.

 

[smfcpacfp]

6011 and 7018 are what I use when stick welding. They are pretty common rods for steel. I would everything that you got and see how you like using them and think about the differences. The 70' require a bit more amperage.