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Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

It seems everybody has their own opinions on what rods to use, what rods are the easiest to learn and what sizes of rod a person should have. If all of these are being questioned at the same time, the person asking needs a lot more practice and/or qualified instruction. My opinion is a rod like 7014 is the easiest to learn because you can drag it if required and it helps you establish a uniform travel speed. The ripples can tell you many things about the weld and will guide you as to what is right and what needs to be changed. The 4 basic things you need for a good weld are Distance (arc length), Angle (rod angle), Speed (travel speed) and Heat (amperage). 7014 can have slightly pointed ripples if running higher in the amperage range though. Generally you want nice round uniform ripples. 7018 is mostly similar but a little more difficult to get started and keep proper arc length and travel speed. 6011 is for the most part an AC version of 6010. It has a slightly smoother arc and not quite as much penetration. The proper way to burn 6010/6011 is with a whipping motion to really dig into the steel. This on top of increased spatter and a rougher looking weld puts 6010/6011 in the more difficult to learn category. Material thickness and welding position determines rod size in most cases. Heavy material 1/2" and over can be done with 1/4" rods but not a lot of it is. You need a big enough machine and more importantly more experience to burn 1/4" rods. 3/16" aren't too difficult to burn but the jump to 1/4" kind of changes the rules. I like using 6010/6011 on thin material. It runs on lower amps and the lighter slag is usually not a problem burning through. I've never bought 6013. Look at the break tests CEP did years ago and you'll see why, 3 blows with a 4lb. hammer and the plates broke. 7018 was over 20 blows and had to be beat back the other way to actually break in two. 6010 was around 14 or 15 blows if I recall. If you'll be welding 3/8" and 1/2" steel on occasion, at least have some 5/32" rods. The nice thing with stick welding is you can weld thicker material with smaller than the ideal rods. Sometimes preheat is required, sometimes not. With Mig, you wouldn't want to try welding 3/8" or thicker steel with .023" wire. If the weld was vertical, there wouldn't be much problem welding it with 3/32" stick electrodes.

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

Note type and size is also determined by the work.

When I went into the field I always took a selection of rod.
Most of my work was plate most rods was E7018 5/32" with E6011/E6010. But in 10 pound tub I also care E6013 3/32" and 5/32".

The E6013 5/32" I use for welding holes up.
The E6013 3/32" I used for light gauges welding.

Sometimes I have hard facing rod for equipment repair work

In shop I used E71T-1 with CO2.
In retirement I use E71T-11
Both works great.

Dave

Originally Posted by IslandHD

Hey guys. I just picked up a welder a red-d-ark GX200. I’m a ticketed mechanic with my own business but don’t have a whole lot of stick welding experience.

I need to get some electrodes but not sure what exactly I should get. I will be doing general repairs, crack and patches on dump truck boxes, fixing brackets ect. General automotive/heavy duty repairs.

Should 6010 or 60111 for bigger deeper crack? What size 1/8 and 3/32?

And possibly 7018 for the lighter stuff? do the trick?

Can or should I get bigger diameter electrode?

thanks

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

1/8 6010 or 11 and 3/32 and 1/8 7018 and skip the rest of that stuff. If you are working on cars get a wire feeder.

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

^Some of the above post doesnt work for me PERSONALLY, and it may or may not for you. More than one way to skin a cat.

3/32 and ¹/8 6010, 6011, and 7018. 7018 used for 1/8" steels and thicker. 6010 and 6011 are PERSONALLY for anything thinner than .125", or if it's not feasible to get a tool in to clean the area. Following along with access, I will use the 60xx to get at the root, if knocking a bevel on some thick material is not in the cards. An eighth inch rod(s), and a 200a power source can weld basically unlimited plate thickness. With proper bead stacking and machine setting blahs blah...

YMMV

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

You can weld up to 3/16" rod size.
I would recommend max 5/32" rod size.
The type is determined by what you welding.
Thing gauge 20 to 12 gauge I like 1/8" 6013.
Above 12 gauge 6010/6011 is good. E7018 need to heated Above 250°F be for welding. Most rods should be heated but no one does this unless it is inspected.

Dave

FYI The work I did could be inspected with out notice so I followed the specific for all rods. Can be a pain.

Originally Posted by IslandHD

Hey guys. I just picked up a welder a red-d-ark GX200. I’m a ticketed mechanic with my own business but don’t have a whole lot of stick welding experience.

I need to get some electrodes but not sure what exactly I should get. I will be doing general repairs, crack and patches on dump truck boxes, fixing brackets ect. General automotive/heavy duty repairs.

Should 6010 or 60111 for bigger deeper crack? What size 1/8 and 3/32?

And possibly 7018 for the lighter stuff? do the trick?

Can or should I get bigger diameter electrode?

thanks

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

6011 is the best rod to learn w/ (begginers) , and is referred to as an all purpose rod. 7018 is one of best, for what u want to do, but u might need more experiance, to run it right/make effective, in some situations. so buy both rods in 3/32 and 1/8

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

Originally Posted by Welder Dave

It does all depend on the thickness you are welding. I think it would be good to have 6010 and 7018 in 3/32", 1/8" and 5/23" sizes. The machine should run 6010.

I was hoping someone would answer the 6010 question. I thought the red-d-arc machines were rebadged LINCOLN rentals. If it's. a Lincoln it's going to burn 6010s no?

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

It does all depend on the thickness you are welding. I think it would be good to have 6010 and 7018 in 3/32", 1/8" and 5/23" sizes. The machine should run 6010.

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

It might not even run 6010 (needs high arc voltage to sustain the arc). 6011 it should run no problem. Whether or not you should get larger diameter electrodes would depend on the thickness of the parts being welded, I'd say.

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

If you learn 3/32" and 1/8" 6010 and 7018, I suspect that'll cover 99% of your needs.

Re: Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

With that machine and type work I would probably just get 3/32 and 1/8" 7018. Without much experience stick welding you should really stay away from automotive stuff.

Recommend electrode and size for my welder?

Hey guys. I just picked up a welder a red-d-ark GX200. I’m a ticketed mechanic with my own business but don’t have a whole lot of stick welding experience.

I need to get some electrodes but not sure what exactly I should get. I will be doing general repairs, crack and patches on dump truck boxes, fixing brackets ect. General automotive/heavy duty repairs.

Should 6010 or 60111 for bigger deeper crack? What size 1/8 and 3/32?

And possibly 7018 for the lighter stuff? do the trick?

Can or should I get bigger diameter electrode?

thanks