What rod/amps to use?

[Canada_CT230]

Me again...

Tried some welding on those oak barrel steel hoops. Kept blowing holes in them with the 1/8" rods (6011 & 7014). I tried to turn the amps down but then had issues with arc strike.

I figured before I even started that the 1/8" rod was too big but gave it the old college try anyways.

What would be the best diameter of rod?

 

[KYErik]

I'd go with 1/16" rod.

 

[k0ua]

How thick is the steel? less than 1/8 of an inch? Try some 6013 1/16 inch at about 35-40 amps and dont sit still.. move .. This is where gas and TIG or a small MIG would be much better. DC stick will do a little better, then your AC machine. I have welded some 1/8 inch materiel with 3/32 7018 with good success, but that is a DC rod. Yep try the 6013. Not my favorite rod, but it has its place.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Oh, and another trick on those 1/16 flimsy rods, is to cut them in half to be able to control them better, especially until you get more experience.. just peck off a little of the flux on one end for your stinger.

James K0UA

 

[SandburRanch]

I'd prefer 3/32 rod also but try laying your rod over about 60 degrees from vertical and dragging the rod at the speed you find that works for the temperature setting.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I'd prefer 3/32 rod also but try laying your rod over about 60 degrees from vertical and dragging the rod at the speed you find that works for the temperature setting.

Funny you mention laying the rod over. The only way I got a half decent weld with the 1/8 rod was when it was dragged while being layed over at a very shallow angle.

I'll try to find some smaller rods this week and try again.

I'm not after a really tiny/pretty weld. I want to make some metal art and the rough weld look is what I want to go with the rusty steel.

 

[bearcreek paul]

I have good luck with the harbor freight 1/16 quick start rods for 1/8 in on 40 amps.

 

[Shield Arc]

There is a chart about the middle of this page that might help you.

WELDING ELECTRODES

 

[Canada_CT230]

I guess that 1/16 rods wouldn't do me much good. My welder only goes down to 60 amps on the low end. Unless I go back to that little 120V / 70 amp stick welder that I borrowed to weld before.

I tried a 3/32 rod and it seems to be pretty good but would have to fine tune the amps as I got one hole.

What are the tricks to strike an arc at lower amps? It seems to still be a bit of a pain and either sticks or doesn't arc. High amps = easier arc strikes but then I get holes.

Anything I'm missing?

 

[k0ua]

Try some 3/32 6013 then, set your welder then to the 60 amps, and give it a try.. the 6013 will strike a little easier than 6011. Try leaning the rod over a little to strike instead of a pecking motion and scratch. Keep practicing.

James K0UA

 

[Canada_CT230]

I'll pickup some 3/32 6013 tomorrow and try it at 60A with the layed over electrode.

 

[rankrank1]

Sorta covered this in post #14 your other welding thread when we discussed good rods to have handy:

6013: 1/16" diameter and 5/64" diameter works wonders on thin metal and either will burn at you 60 amp min. welder setting and be close to ideal for the 5/64" size but may be be a tad hot for 1/16" but workable. 3/32" is useful too but is bigger in diameter so it will be more likely than either 1/16 or 5/64 to burn through on the thin stuff.

5/64" 6013 will not be easy to find but it is avaialble from Lincoln and I like it much more than 1/16 (1/16 = 4/64) as it is not as flimsy and the sweet spot for it will be closer to your 60 amp min welder setting. I often cut 1/16" rods in half to combat their flimsiness.

If you do not any luck with any of the 6013 sizes then 7014 is also available in 1/16" diameter. The good news is that 7014 always likes higher amp setting per diameter than most other rod types so your 60-65 amps would likely be ideal for 7014 1/16" where it is a tad bit too hot for say 6013 1/16" min setting. That said, While I do love 7014 and use it bigger diameters, I have not tried it much on really thin stuff as the 6013 has always worked for me.

Only buy the small 1/2 pound or 1 pound sample packs until you find what works well with your welder.

 

[lostcause]

a lot of times techniques can be used to help overcome too much current. when it wants to make holes from too much heat in one spot i'll use an exaggerated c/u shaped weave. what i mean is that i make my weave in the shape of the letter c or u, with the puddle being at the peak of the curve and the open ends being along each edge of material.

i'll bring the electrode a long ways out of the puddle on the top & bottom of my weave so that the puddle cools slightly. as i see the puddle start to cool off i'll reverse direction and come back through the middle of the puddle. i find this helps avoid a lot of burn thorough.

i've used this successfully with 1/8" metal and 1/8" 6011 rod at around 60a, so it shouldn't be too much different from your hoops. travel speed is the key here. don't linger too long in the puddle.

 

[Soundguy]

i weld stufflike that ( and other sheet metals.. ) using 1/16 or 5/64 on a small ac welder with a 30/70a setting.


soundguy

 

[Canada_CT230]

OK...made some headway today.

I talked to an old co-worker (welder) on the phone the other day and got some good tips to try. I never though about the rod changing the way it works after getting hot.

I also looked carefully at the low side on my AC box. Apparently it goes down to 30A. How accurate the adjustment lever is anyone's guess.

The welds on the barrel hoops was a lot better but still kind of erratic and one burn thru hole. I might give up on thin material like that. I can't find any 1/16" rod around here.

I tried the 6013 - 3/32" rod on some 1/8" scrap pieces at about 60A and got a nice bead with the nice swirl pattern. I think this setting would be nice to do small sculpture pieces.

More practice in the future but having an open air shop is not the best in Canada at this time of year.

 

[Soundguy]

6013 is much less penetration and better looking than 6011.. etc.

soundguy

 

[deereman75]

You can get 1/16 rods at canadian tire, but they cost a lot. I got 1# of them there, and it was about $14, what I could get 5# of 3/32 rods for. They are over priced like that everywhere. I dont like the 1/16 rods much, both due to cost and how they weld for me. I would not buy them again.

 

[Soundguy]

have you tried 5/64?

 

[Canada_CT230]

Maybe at your CT...but my CT is useless. You are lucky in this town if the stores have what the sales flyer have advertised. I always laugh when a biz goes under here. They always claim no business but in reality how can you sell something when you don't have it?

Anyways...I digress.

 

[Canada_CT230]

Haven't seen 5/64 around either.