What rod is which?

[Iplayfarmer]

What are the properties of the various welding rods?

I got a bunch when I bought my used welder, but I am finding out that most of it is not very good. I don't know if it got wet or it's just old or what. Some rods stick real bad and others will start an arc real nice.

I've got some 7018, some 7018 H4R, some 6013, and then a bunch of stuff that I can't read the numbers.

What are the common rods? How are they different? What rods are good for what applications?

 

[Ford960]

I use only two rods, 6011 and 6013.

 

[krue]

I would suspect that your rods are wet, which means pretty much useless. For welding specific info you can try Shop Floor Talk - powered by vBulletin

 

[Dirthog]

7018 & 7018 hr are low hydrogen rods you need a DC machine to run them if they got wet you can dry them again by heating them take a small dorm size refrigerator and put a 100watt light bulb in side so that it burns all the time after a couple of days the rods will dry out then put a smaller bulb inside to keep it warm and dry.

 

[MadReferee]

This type of welding question should best be asked in a welding specific forum. Two of the best manufacture forums are the Hobart and Miller forums. Try asking there. These forums are to welding what TBN is to tractors. Your questions have probably already been asked and answered, more than once.

Hobart Weld Talk Forums

Miller Motorsports Welding Forum

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I use only two rods, 6011 and 6013.

I found a few general descriptions on some catalog type web sites, but I could still use some "real world" practical advice.

When do you use 6011 and when do you use 6013?

 

[Fishguy]

Before you throw out the rods, you can try to dry them in your oven. Just lay them in there and turn it on to about 350 for an hour or so. After they dry out good then you will need to build yourself a storage box for them and any new ones you get. (You could also use a 5 gallon can that has a removable lid.) In this box put a 100w lightbulb and some vent holes. Keep the light on at all times and you should be good to go!

Good luck,
Steve

 

[dfkrug]

Any welding handbook will give welding rod properties. Both
6013 and 7018 can be used AC or DC. The former is hi-penetration,
medium strength, hi spatter. The latter is hi strength, low penetration,
lower spatter, and makes cleaner looking welds. For critical welds on
thick mild steel, I like to use 6013 first and cover with 7018.

Note that the Lincoln rod boxes suggest cooking the rods at 750F
even when new. I never do that, but I keep them in a sealed air
tight container.

I am told that 7014 rods are supposed to work very well, but I have not
found them.

 

[kossetx]

Iplayafarmer, I'm not looking at a book, nor am I a pro welder, but I'm going to give my welding rod assessment that is different than those stated. Any rod can stike an arc in an ac machine, but in my opinion a 7018 doesn't work well in an ac machine. Also, in my experiance a 6013 is not a penetrating rod. It is a high build rod like a 7018. A 6011 is a good penatrating rod also good for an ac machine and a 6013 is a high build smooth finish ac rod that doesn't penatrate well. You need to tell us what machine (ac/dc) you have. Just my .02

 

[Timber]

I agree my go to rods are 6011 & 6013 I use the 6011 to just fix things were I could care less if the weld is pretty or if it is difficult to clean or older stuff, Mostly repair work so I can fix it and go. 6013 I use for building stuff, new things or if I want nice welds that look pretty under paint. I am by no means a great welder but I have found these rods work best for overall work around my equipment. Once the rod gets warm you can get a nice ark. Clean your lens and let your eyes see your work in your shield before you strike your ark. Weld hot as hot as you can without melting your stock away. Also don't run long beads, do an inch or 2 and go to the other end and then to the middle and then to the beginning again, make sure you chip your slag. This will keep your distortion down.