Stick welder: Why DC?

[terraformer]

Over the holiday I got a chance to work on my DC technique. We had salvaged a bunch of wrought iron railing from a house that was being torn down. I rebuilt the railing and used it to put around my salvaged 12x20 foot deck. There was a fair amount of cutting and rewelding required.

I had a pound of 7014 and a box of 6013 rod. I think I was at about 90 amps. I liked the welds better when I had the polarity reversed.

 

[IslandTractor]

Over the holiday I got a chance to work on my DC technique. We had salvaged a bunch of wrought iron railing from a house that was being torn down. I rebuilt the railing and used it to put around my salvaged 12x20 foot deck. There was a fair amount of cutting and rewelding required.

I had a pound of 7014 and a box of 6013 rod. I think I was at about 90 amps. I liked the welds better when I had the polarity reversed.

Reverse polarity (DCEN) produces a higher electrode melting rate which makes for prettier welds but less penetration. It can be useful especially if welding on thinner metal to control burn through too. The downside, and reason that straight (DCSP) polarity is generally preferred is because of the lower penetration issue. I would imagine reverse polarity is rarely if ever used for a pipe root or filler weld but maybe could be used for the final cover pass. Maybe one of the pro welders will chime in to clarify.

 

[terraformer]

Most of the metal was .09-.12" thick.
Maybe I had the amperage turned up a bit too much and by turning it around it balanced things out.
Thanks for the tip.

 

[R W]

Reverse polarity (DCEN) produces a higher electrode melting rate which makes for prettier welds but less penetration. It can be useful especially if welding on thinner metal to control burn through too. The downside, and reason that straight (DCSP) polarity is generally preferred is because of the lower penetration issue. I would imagine reverse polarity is rarely if ever used for a pipe root or filler weld but maybe could be used for the final cover pass. Maybe one of the pro welders will chime in to clarify.

DCEP (electrode positive)= Reverse Polarity.
DCEN (electrode negative)= Straight Polarity.

 

[IslandTractor]

DCEP (electrode positive)= Reverse Polarity.
DCEN (electrode negative)= Straight Polarity.

I screwed up the abbreviations in my post. DCEP=DCRP=straight polarity and DCEN=DCSP=reverse polarity as RW states. DCEN when the electrode (stick) is negative and the work is positive is when you get higher electrode melting and therefore higher fill deposition rates. DCEP or reverse polarity with positive electrode and negative work is what gives better penetration and is usually considered to have the best weld characteristics.

 

[mikehaugen]

I screwed up the abbreviations in my post. DCEP=DCRP=straight polarity and DCEN=DCSP=reverse polarity as RW states. DCEN when the electrode (stick) is negative and the work is positive is when you get higher electrode melting and therefore higher fill deposition rates. DCEP or reverse polarity with positive electrode and negative work is what gives better penetration and is usually considered to have the best weld characteristics.

you are still reversed, you are going to confuse people (your first line anyway)

 

[IslandTractor]

you are still reversed, you are going to confuse people (your first line anyway)

I should just quit! You are correct, I edited the post at the last minute to include reverse and straight but mixed them up again. Mea culpa x2.

 

[Shield Arc]

I should just quit! You are correct, I edited the post at the last minute to include reverse and straight but mixed them up again. Mea culpa x2.

That's OK! I use to have a neighbor who was a school teacher who taught welding in a Jr high school live across the road from me. When I moved here he came over and introduced him self. In time we got on the subject of welding, he told me he was a teacher, I told him I use to be a weldor. I'll bet he must have came over 15-times to ask me which way you plug the leads in for what polarity he wanted to weld with.:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

I always though the whole "reverse" and "straight" was EXTREMELY stupid. as they tell you nothing. They assume you already know what straight and reverse are.
Now DCEP =DC Electrode Positive or DCEN=DC Electrode Negative are self explanatory. They tell a complete novice which way to hook up the leads. If it is electrode positive, then hook the lead that will hold the electrode to the jack marked + if it is electrode negative then hook the lead that will hold the electrode to the jack marked -.

No one needs to know any more than that. Reverse and Straight are just stupid.. rant off.. thank you..have a nice day
James K0UA

 

[mikehaugen]

my welder actually has a selector switch the says "reverse polarity- electrode positive" or "straight polarity- electrode negative". No thinking or switching leads required.