premium vs. standard 6013 electrodes

[dicharry]

Is there any difference other than price when comparing electrodes labeled AWS A5.1 160 and AWS A5.1 ?
These are both E6013 rods labeled for mild steel.
One is called premium (the one with 160 after the AWS 5.1)

Another question I have- E6013 in my hands is easy to
start and maintain an arc, but I have problems starting
and maintaining the arc using E6010. I'm using the same
size, 3/32, rods and same DCRP settings for both sticks.
With 6010 I'm sticking frequently on starts and when
sucessful, have a hard time keeping the arc going longer
than a few seconds. These are new, fresh rods.
The settings are at about 70 amps on my little Dragster 85
inverter. I haven't tried changing the current yet, but plan
on trying that later on today. Should 6010 be that much
harder to work with than 6013?

Thanks,
Don

[Sberry]

6010 use a longer arc length, but they may not run well on a little inverter. 6011 would run better as it has better arc stability.

[DDA52]

Sberry hit it on the nose. The problem is the inverter. The Miller 150's and I assume the Hobart 150's as well have been reported as having trouble with the 6010 as well. It seems that if the inverter isn't specifically made for 6010, it won't run them well. It has something to do with the arc voltage or some thing like that. Like "S" said, go with the 6011 instead.

[dicharry]

DDA52 and Sberry, thanks for the advice. I didn't think my technique was that bad with the 6010.
How about the difference between E6013 and premium E6013?
The standard 3/32 E6013 sells for $7.75 per 5 lbs on Welding Depot's site, while the premium E6013 160 3/32 goes for $17.10
per 5 lbs. Do you think it's a difference in the type or quantity of oxidizers in the coating? I'm sure someone out there can enlighten me.

Thanks,
Don

[boilerman79]

I pulled up welding depot and i see what you are talking about.Looks like it is two different manufactures.the standard 6013 that Home Depot sells will do fine.The [deluxe version probally has some type of chemical addition to the flux and it may run a little smoother.But either on still has 60000 lbs ten strength and is all position.So save yourself a little money.