Stick Welding ...kicking it Old School...

For welding in Wind, Rain, in the Mud, in a ditch, Stick Welding Still Rules

Stick welding has been around a very long time. In fact, it was the late 1920's when Lincoln introduced the first flux coated electrode (before that bare wire electrodes were used).

The flux coated electrode was a major breakthrough and made stick or "arc welding" a very dependable and robust process.

While some think its nearly obsolete, Stick or "shielded metal arc welding" continues to be used for quality welding in construction of buildings, bridges, pipelines, and maintenance and repair welding.

It just works.


stick welding using 6011 rods video shows tee joint tips using 6011 rods

tig inverters comparison doing tig and stick welding on a mounting bracket The Miller Maxstar 150stl is a tiny but powerful tig inverter that stick welds too. So is the Everlast 140st. This video shows them in action.
Video on Lincoln Excalibur 7018 welding rods

welding video


I like Old School Stick/ arc Welding for welding outside, welding over mill scale or when the metal is dirty or oily..., over bad tack welds, and even with a fan blowing the smoke away. You cant do that with mig or tig.

Stick welding is what the old timers still call "arc welding".

In the hands of a skilled welder, it really has its advantages. There is no shielding gas to get blown away by the wind, its cheap, its portable , the equipment is really simple. It is very versatile. You can weld different metals simply by changing the rod. The metal doesn’t have to be all that clean. I could ramble on and on but you get the point.

One of the best deals on the planet is a 200 amp buzz box. You can find them on craigslist or Ebay all day long for less than 200 dollars. They are called buzz boxes because of the sound they make. The cheap ones only have A/C current but that is all you need to weld all kinds of stuff. My first buzz box was free. A friend gave me his 30 year old JC Penny buzz box when he got a new Lincoln 225 for Christmas. It worked great even though the rods tended to stick at first. Once I stuck them and they heated up a bit they started better the second time. Hey that’s why they call it “stick” welding right?

Oh and dont forget the small portable inverter stick welding machines like miller maxstar 140 or the new imported inverter stick welders sold by Everlast , Longevity, Riland and others. Some of them can even burn a 1/8" rod using 115 volt current off the wall....An extremely portable solution for welding outdoors.


stick welding rods

Stick Welding tip for Better Restarts with 7018 electrodes



Get a big rough ass file and keep it handy... Like in your back pocket . When you have to stop and restart, Take a look at the tip of your 7018 welding rod. It gets a slag covering over the tip that is really tough to arc through.

This is the reason why 7018 welding rods are so hard to restart! ...And if you peck and tap when you restart you have to peck so hard that a lot of flux cracks off the tip of the rod and you get a little porosity on your restart.

To fix this.....

Just scratch the rough file with the tip of the rod a few swipes until you can see shiny bright metal.

make sure the file is not grounded when you clean the end of your 7018 electrode!!

Now you can restart the rod without pecking like a Chicken.

There are also other ways to get better restarts... Some welders whip the rod right thru the air as they pull off the arc and say that gets rid of the ball.

I used to work up high around a bunch of ironworkers. Slinging balls of fire everywhere was unwise. So I just got used to the file.

7018 welding rod tip 7018 welding rod being filed before restart 7018 welding rod filed for restart

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Stick welding tips from other Visitors

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

marky 
When it comes to starting a 7018, start a new rod! Pipewelders do not live with bad starts and porousity created by a used rod! They make them everyday, …

Just because you can doesn't mean you should or should have to. 
Just want to share a rant and ask if this irks anyone else. Have you ever been given a horrendous fit-up and when you look at the fitter and say WTF his …

Get out of a jam when you find out your rod got wet 
Just take a wet rod and "stick" it to a piece of grounded steel, hold it in one place for about two seconds. It will smoke, or steam the water out of the …

old time welder  
to restart a 7018 when the flux (not slag as you said it was)extends past the rod, just hold the rod in your hand and pinch it off with your thumb by pushing …

tip for salvaging stick electrodes 
alot of times you accidentally chip alot of flux off the end of your electrode and end up just throwing it out to avoid porosity. what i found is that …

Tip for setting the right amperage 
A good starting point for setting your amperage for stick welding is the amperage setting should be roughly the same as the decimal equivalent of the diameter …

I need tips on running 7018 uphill of carbon steel pipe 
I am teaching myself how to weld some what i am a pipe fitter apprentice and i just can seem to get my 7018 to look decent especially when i join seams …

Welding different thicknesses of metal 
I had difficulty welding two different thicknesses of metal together, I was blowing through the thinner metal, So I ran the arc along the thicker metal …

Pipe rooting in 6010 
Jody, I've read through lots of your articles, and have sat for hours to watch your videos, but haven't seen any mention of pushing in 6010 on a root pass …

All "Buzz Boxes" are AC only. If it has DC it is not a "Buzz Box". 
I'm just an old timer and I know it is splitting hairs but a "Buzz Box" is just an adjustable transformer with no rectifier so it has a 60 cycle buzz like …

help with stick welding 
could somebody help me please i'm thinking of buying an inverter and would like to know how many amps are needed to weld 10mm mild steel and what size …

Good Postion Tip 
Im a student in Ivy tech College, the only girl in class too. I have learned that leaning against something stable near your work, legs slightly farther …

selecting the right rod for aluminum and steel fence fabrication also right amperage 
My dad just purchase a lincoln 225 arc welder and I would like to know what rod we need to weld those square pipes sold at homedepot they're about 1" and …

Tips for running a root pass with a 7018 3/32 rod... 
Anyone got any helpful tips on running a rootpass with a 7018 3/32 rod on 3/8 test plate. I'm in a welding program and I'm trying to test out for shipyard. …

home made arc rods for emergency use  
if your reali caught out nowere near some where you can get more welding rods you can take a piece of fencing wire scrach the galvonise off with a rock …

Keep a little wiggle 
Keep wiggle the arc a little, even for small joints where you would normally weld straight. A little wiggling up and down over a horizontal joint makes …

redneck rod oven 
everyone needs a rod oven to keep those rods dry. i took a small "dorm" size fridge, gutted the back, bought a $6 water heater thermostat at lowes, an …

Vertical Stick Welding 
Jody- I used to think I was a decent welding with stick- if its flat I can make beautiful weld- but turn a bead vertical and all I get is globs of metal …

How can i start my own welding buissnes 
Im a all around welder. I have at least 10 certs. And very good at what i do. Im certified in all process on plate,pipe,process pipe ,aluminum,ect. …

Like no one is watching 
Dont be afarid of what you look like, it's about being comfortable with not only welding, but yourself. No fear --------------------------------------------------- …

Stick Welding with Batteries 
I have occasionally needed to weld something where there was no power available and I didn't have a gas engine welder. I put two 12 volt car batteries …

6010 v groove root passes 
i know some people, like myself, use the standard 1/8 gap and landing with generally a 30 dg bevel. but i have found that certain 1/8 6010 rods have a …

Tip for welding 6010 open root on pipe 
I have found out after 35yrs of welding pipe that when you fit the pipe, use a broken porta-band blade for the perfect gap for the root. Usually a 3/32 …

porosity in 7018 stop starts 
Hi guys, Im having trouble with porosity in stop starts, mostly on pipe work. Anyone have any tips to help me as i have tried everything i can think …

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open v grove  
i am having problems with my rot pass i cant get it to look good.i am stepping it and my amp is on 90 what should i do? --------------------------------------------- …

preheating on mig 
when mig welding be sure to preheat your base metal. sometimes if you dont you wont get good penetration and youll have cold lap.

Getting used to stick welding for the first time 
When I first started trying to stick weld, I found the length of the rods hard to get used to and judge distance depth etc. I used to cut the electrodes …

what to do if weld keeps cracking out 
stick welding 2 in. sch.40 inconel pipe . with a 316L rod ------------------------------------------------- Its unusual that 316L is being used to …

electrode positive or electrode negative 
Hi Jody, I have bought a Magnum ac/dc tig / mma 200p welder. A couple of questions on the set up. What is the arc force knob for. When arc welding should …

Stick welding v-grove flat position  
Any tips for open root pass? I have a 3/32 gap and welding with a 1/8 (6010) rod --------------------------------------------------- i use a 1/8 …

Old School Stingers??? (Spring-loaded vs. screw-type) 
Apropos getting in and out of a puddle while it still is hot: Actually the screw type is the old school stinger. It allows you to mount two electrodes. …

Welding Shock with Wet gloves 
Dont ever, ever, ever weld with wet gloves

6010 rod 
when you finish a 6010 rod and get ready to start a new one, strike your arc on the weld metal you just deposited. Don't strike it in the area you are …

Stick welding square tube with 2mm thick wall: any tips? 
Hello all, First of all thanks for setting up this webpage. It has helped me a lot. It is by far the single best source of info about welding. I am …

Stick welding 
I'm about to take a test for open v-grove and I'm having trouble with my vertical up. -------------------------------------------------- hold a …

anybody got tips for a welder try overhead for the first time 
i need some tips on welding overhead yall got any if you do look me up on facebook

No file 
Or,instead of carrying around a file,you could just use the glove on your hand to break off the excess slag.I've never used a file to do this,and i do …

Fresh rod sometimes seems a little too long? 
Sometimes you're in a tricky spot where a new electrode is just way to long to comfortably weld. What I do is bend it in half or whatever length you think …

Rod keeps sticking? Toss it out 
I've noticed that after a rod sticks 3-4 times the flux starts to creep back on the rod leaving 1/4'' or so exposed filler metal. This is mostly due to …

When welding sitting on a metal pipe... 
When you are sitting on a pipe welding make sure to remove the ground or use gloves when installing the next stick, your nuts will appreciate it.

re-start 7018 
Cut some file like teeth into your slag hammer then use teeth to remove the slag from the end of the electrode

Keep magnets away! 
When using magnets to hold parts for tack-welding, keep the magnets away (at least 6'' )from the spot you're welding. Magnets make a strong field that …

Fixing holes 
If you burn a hole in sea perlin or any thin metal just make an X over the hole. And try not to get the metal too hot.

What about 7014? 
I use a lot of 7014 with my ac/dc buzz box, It works best on dc. What are the draw backs of 7014? I dont make my living welding but I do weld a lot. 7014 …

7018 restarts - 
I just take the rod out of the holder and pretend the hot end is a pencil and drag it across the floor holding it about a 45 degree angle and at the …

Tip for cutting steel with an arc welder 
I heard that you can cut steel with an arc welder by first dipping the electrode into water and making it wet. Is that true? Cant wait to try it. …

7018 restarts another way 
I always just crush the flux between thumb and forefinger before re-starting. As long as you are wearing a good set of gloves and allow a second to cool …

when you have the right amperage 
you have the right amperage on a 6011 or similar rod when you hear it sizzle like bacon frying

7018 Hater 
I have a great tip for 7018 starts...grab a handful of them and throw them as far as you can. Then start using 6011's or 6010's.

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make your test stand out 
on your pipe test after your finished take a file and run it around the edge of your weld it makes your stuff look better then the other guy forcing the …

tip for stick welding 
ive always went by the "lash" method l-length A-angle S-speed H-height

sticking welding rod 
before welding with stick it's best to strike it like a match so that the rod doesn't stick to your material.

never let your rods get wet or damp 
never let your rods get wet or damp...unless of course you are using fire brick red 6010. they seem to run better wet.

Good dual voltage, absolutely unbelievably awesome scratch tig/stick welder for the price,,, 
As for me I really was looking for a good TIG welder but came across dual use TIG/Stick units, several from Chinese companies with questionable reputations …

hey 
how do i get rid of undercut on a t fillet weld? ---------------------------------------------------- usually undercut is from too long an arc,too …

Pushing the rod vs. dragging the rod 
A lot of welders debate over which is better to push the rod or drag it. Me personally I prefer to drag or pointed directly at the material being welded. …

finding your base amperage 
To find your base amps(the amps you start at before tweaking to your personal welding style). take the size of the electrode(1/8, 3/32 ect..) turn that …

tips for overhead open v-grove welding 
I'am about to take a test at school for open v-grove welding and i'am having trouble with my overhead part could u give me any tips on this please.or any …

tips for & amps for rods that are 1/16 to 5/64  
how thick of steal can i weld with these rods ? i have a 95amp 115v welder. ----------------------------------------------- Depending on the breaker …

"Tip for not setting yourself on fire." 
A. Don't wear shitty jeans. (full of holes or the white threads showing) that will set your ass on fire B. Don't where canvas or soft clothe shoes. (converse, …

Alternate re-start tip for 7018 
Instead of filing the tip of the rod, I hit it on something not connected to the ground clamp, usually the side of my chipping hammer to break off that …

What does the remote wire do? 
Remote wire on a welder, what happens if it's unplugged and someone starts welding?

Avoiding the Macarena 
Get as comfortable as possible because a confortable welder is a steady an relaxed welder. Important because fatigue will cause the arms to make the rod …

Welding galvanized steel 
When welding galvanized steel (especially hot dipped) set the welder a bit hotter than normal & make sure you give a good "wiggle" between the two pieces …

A little tip for filling those pesky gaps. 
Try this sometime when you have one of those Grand Canyon size gaps. Knock the heavy coating off of a 7018 stick,a little of it will stay on,leave it. …

6010 
i'm 15 and i love stick welding... i'm better at it than wire welding but i just cant git the 6010 down. -------------------------------------------------- …

Welding by the shadow 
To run nice and straight stringers with 7018 on pipe, I use what's called " welding by the shadow". The second pass casts a shadow exactly at the highest …

x-ray quality stringer welds 
When welding a test piece in the 6g and 2g position. Burn a rod around the pipe chip the slag away from the crater. Grab a new 7018 dont strike in …

6010 vs 7018 for training welders...Looks might be one thing... 
The 6010 welding rod is the thing to get beginners to start on first. If you start them on it, and they get the welds looking good, then when they try …

6013 RODS 
6013 rods are an excellent choice for welding railings and for vertical down welding on sheet metal. as for the sarcastic comments regarding 6013 usage, …

How to comfortably use the stinger 
One of the biggest problems with stick welding is making a one handed weld and keeping that long electrode steady while welding and not have the tip flapping …

Tips for welding around a corner 
There is nothing worse than having to make a stick weld around a corner. This requires bending the rod and hoping that you don't break away too much of …

to be a good pipe welder 
do yourself a big favor and go and buy a stinger and a lead when you go and take a stick test they may just give you a shitty stinger to use and your rod …

good beads with 6010 
Use a oval weave with 6010 and the bead will look a lot better. A step technique for vertical up tee joints works the best! -Erik (the motor man)

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I need to see down hill stick "spreading butter" and whats the trick?? 
I have tried the typical rods That I use 7018 6010 6013 and about 2 O'clock the shit falls out...WTF? I know it can be done because I have seen it on pipelines. …

Tip for root pass, pipe.  
I've switched leads while welding a root pass (6010 rod), then switched back with 7018 for hots and filler. Any truth behind this myth?

Small inverters (220 1ph) and celullosic (6010) rods. Why don't they work together well?? 
Hi Jody, I own a Solter CoTT S 175. It is a 1ph 220v inverter which puts out up to 160amps and has an open circuit voltage of 95 volts. After using …

How to Avoid Shock with Wet Gloves 
When working out in the field in wet and rainy conditions, sometimes it is just unavoidable that your welding gloves will get soaked. And I'm sure some …

what is the best way to get comfortable while welding on pipe @ 6 G 
i am in my 3 semester for pipe welding in my local college. and i was wondering about suggestion for getting comfortable on welding pipe from 6-3 position. …

Hit what you aim for.... 
For about 50 to 80 bucks chicago electric sells a decent auto darkening helmelt. Buy one. I don't know what I would do without it. You can see quite well …

Screw 6013's 
Just a comment on the "screw 6013's article. First of all to whoever wrote that article: You have never been more wrong about 6013's & quite a childish …

Tip for restarting a 7018 stick welding rod 
Hey Jody, Here's a noob experience that maybe will help out somebody else a little getting started with 7018. As you recall in our last episode, …

light problem from back of hood 
whats the secret to solving the problem of light entering the back of your welding hood and such, making it hard to see your weld due to the glare? I've …

Weaving on pipe 
Im a pipe welder and was always wondering about this weave i always see as a cap. I have never seen anyone do it because it always on existing pipe thats …

digging out flux 
I keep a small sharpened screwdriver handy for chipping out flux that my hammer and brush wont shift.

Trick for magnetic material 
Lets say your burning 5p+ on a cattle guard. All the sudden the arc puddle explodes and your going WTF? Your thinking somebody is messing with me, right, …

Tip for 6010 vertical uphill welding 
6010 is a fast freeze rod which means the puddle cool and hardens much faster than 7018. When welding vertical from bottom to top which is how any experienced …

SMAW VerticaL up & Horizontal Cert Test 
I am starting one of many certification tests and wanted to know if any reinforcement is necessary for the backside of my test plate, "Like a Tack-welded …

stop wasting welding rods ...quit pecking 
u know how u peck and the flux comes off if too much comes off u just throw the rod away instead of pecking gently scratch the rod along the piece of …

Nu-bie with some questions? 
I bought a Chicago electric arc 140 on ebay. It had some 3/32 electrodes included, I don't know if that was good or not,they all had some flux missing …

My boss got a 50 lb. box of 7018 by 3\16 inch. 
My boss got a 50 lb. box of 7018 by 3\16 inch. I'm going to weld some heavy industrial cardboard shredder. What amperage should I use to work with such …

A Easy Fast Way To Restart Your 7018 
Whenever you stop in the middle of a weld, 7018 could be kind of hard to restart. If you don't have a file or just in a hurry, turn off your welding machine …

Don't hold electrodes in your hand  
When attaching electrodes to the stinger place them in your welding helmet and clamp them into appropriate groove. This method could avoid shock or being …

tip for 6013 weld 
make sure amp. not to high. keep a good angle. keep rod about 1/8 of a inch from welding material. fill in end good. clean up well also. try weaving the …

Welding is akin to Mathematics, Whats to fear ? Not rated yet
It's all variables ruled by physics. Drop one, grind two. Material, position, heat/angle, etc, then visualize desired outcome. Tall …

Tip for welding with 7018. Not rated yet
My advise is when you are using 7018 and chipping the weld is to keep your mouth shut. I had to learn the hard way, when a dime size piece of very …

overhead test Not rated yet
HI Jody I'm about to take a test for (4GF) and I'm having trouble with my OVERHEAD .what the right rod and amperage I should used for this test. -------------------- …

Just for tacking alot without pecking all the time Not rated yet
If you are arc welding an have a lot of tacking and need to hold your steel in position. I grind a grove in my stinger that is about 15-20 degrees so …

Best 7018 Tip You'll Ever Hear Not rated yet
Hey guys, I've been stick welding for a couple days now, and the best advise I can give anybody about welding with 7018 is WATCH THE DAMN PUDDLE! So many …

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Aprox Amperage for Dia. of Rod  Not rated yet
Just take the decimal equviant of the fraction. 1/8 = .125 = 125 amps to get a good starting point for amperage for a 7018

restart tip Not rated yet
if you dont have a file you can take the ground off or even take the rod out of the holder and tap it like your trying to start and arc a few times and …

restarting the 7018 electrode Not rated yet
Striking a 7018 like you would a 'match' instead of pecking... after you have removed the brown crusted end either by use of the file as mentioned or …

Old Dudes and Old School procceses RULE! Not rated yet
another tip that works very well for old damp 7018 rods is to purposely stick the rod to your work for a few seconds to heat it up and to dry it out a …

no stick, easier start guaranteed Not rated yet
Sticking rods are more likely during the first couple of arc strikes because the electrode is cold. this is what I do to pretty much guarantee an easier …

restarting your arc in the middle of a weld pass Not rated yet
You dont always have to strike or peck to get you arc going again. While your welding, and about to run out of rod, whip the rod back into the weld pool …

7018 or 6011 Not rated yet
I'll take 7018 any day over 6011 Except if your work pieces are dirty, oily, rusty, or whatever, just for the reason that the 7018 makes such a nice looking …

Tip for clean restarts with 6013 Not rated yet
when you want to restart a 6013 rod the tip is often tucked down in a little flux shroud. to give a consistent slag free restart keep a block of wood …

Any Position Not rated yet
When i first got into stick welding 16 years ago i worked for a guy who always bent his rod 90 degrees at the stinger, after days and days of watching …

i need help been six years since i touched a stick welder Not rated yet
I'm welding 1/2 angle to a 1 inch steel tie rod with 7018 rod what amperage and voltage should i be on? --------------------------------------------------- …

low tech emergency rod oven  Not rated yet
If your low hydrogen rods gets damp and you dont have a rod oven, tack a plate over one end of scrap pipe long enough to cover the rods, then warm it up …

What to do with the little shorty rod tips? Not rated yet
After a rod gets to 2-3 inches I usually remove it and save my rod tips in the 2-3 inch range for tack welds.

7018 amperage setting Not rated yet
All welders have their own personal preferences but just to get in the ballpark with 7018 take the decimal of the diameter of the electrode. 1/8"= .125. …

puddle watch Not rated yet
im going through welding school now and my biggest issue was watching my arc not my puddle its kinda hard to get used to but makes it a lot easier! …

Stick Welding tight spaces Not rated yet
Hey All i would imagine that most of you boilies may have a laugh but if you get stuck and theres no other way, try shaping the rod... most coatings are …

wondering Not rated yet
what does the soft and hard control on a stick welder do or benefit you? --------------------------------------------- generally speaking, setting …

getting the perfect gap Not rated yet
i have been welding for only about 6 years and have found the the steel ruler out of an adjustable square gives me a perfect gap for welding pipe of any …

Welding with 3/16 rods Not rated yet
How to cap with 3/16 7010 rods on pipe about 3o'clock and down. --------------------------- I am not much help on this one but maybe some other pipeline …

Wearing earplugs while doing any overhead or enclosed spaces. Not rated yet
I personally wear earplugs welding any position. I am still able to hear and adjust welder for proper amp range. I think it gives you more confidence when …

recommended rod for welding 3" thick steel Not rated yet
we have to build a box out of 3" thick steel but not sure what rod we should use, could you help? another thing is what kind of bevel should be done on …

tip for restarting Not rated yet
i just tap my rod lightly on something...im NOT working on...till i see metal from the rod.

REstart 7018 Not rated yet
As soon as you pull out if the puddle give the rod a flick of the wrist (with it still in the stringer and watch the red hot ball go flying. Now your ready …

tip for getting good results when stick welding Not rated yet
now ive only been welding for about 2 years. im a high school graduate this year and have my WABO certification for stick welding. what ive found can really …

Tip to start 6011 without sticking the rod Not rated yet
I am currently using a Lincoln AC-225. Was having trouble with Fleetweld 180 (6011) sticking. Found that things got better when I learned to very lightly …

tip for making 7018 3/32 not so damn shaky Not rated yet
well look at your rod as if it was in 3 pieces well leave about 2/3 of ur flux , instead of putting the electrode in ur stinger regularly take about 1/3 …

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6010 root pass Not rated yet
when i set my amps for my open root and hot pass with 6010/7010( may not be orthodox) on a scrap piece strike an ark and bury rod . keep turning …

tip for 6g pipe test Not rated yet
on the 6g pipe test everyone has a weak side or a more difficult side to weld, if facing the pipe mine is the 6-3o'clock,an easy fix is take your file …

To stop porosity Not rated yet
To stop porosity it usually depends on the angle of the rod. I always start it off at nearly an exact 5 degrees. If your pipe welding to a stringent …

doing a on 6g 2g stick Not rated yet
Im finding on my fill and cap runs. the weld is sitting on the bottom too much? ive tried to angle the rod different and amp different. is …

E-7018 Tip for most positions Not rated yet
Weather its a 1G or a 4F try pinning the rod end down against the material being welded. Make sure to keep your rod at a 30* angle from the end point. …

lincoln electric arc 225 stick welder Not rated yet
I have had an 80A inverter / DC ARC welder for quite some time. It uses 110 right from a regular wall outlet and it does very well with 1/16 …

HOT PASSING AND STICKING THE CAP ON TIG ROOT/HOT PASS 6IN PIPE Not rated yet
HOW SHOULD I HOT PASS USING STICK AFTER MY TIG ROOT HAS BEEN PUT IN AND WHAT ANGLE SHOULD I HOLD MY ROD WHEN CAPPING IT. ------------------------------------------ …

DART Not rated yet
Try welding using DC+ electrode low hydrogen with high frequency start.It is very good and stable. ---------------------------------------------------- …

stick welding 1/16" steel to 3/16" steel Not rated yet
I find when I weld 1/16" steel tubing to 3/16" flat steel I usually blow a hole through the tube. Any tips on how to prevent that? I set the welder on …

bead shape Not rated yet
is it better to have your bead bow in( or bow out)or does it not effect the strength of the weld either way.. --------------------------------------------------- …

when welding Not rated yet
I guess you could call me a noob, but when welding with a stick welder that tingling feeling you get when you try to clear off flux from the stick is electricity …

Alternate use for a welder Not rated yet
Cold day. -25 Celsius. Mechanic started early and was packing up after welding something to a D-9. D-9 did not want to turn over. Foreman had booster …

Inspecting 7018 rods Not rated yet
Take a 7018 rod and hold it at waist level with bare end up and drop it on the concrete floor. It should bounce right back up to your hand. A poor rod …

royal 240 Not rated yet
should i preheat for a hardsurfacing welding job? -------------------------------------------------- it depends on the base metal...if the part …

Tip on step pass running a 6010 root on V- grooves Not rated yet
When Using a 6010 or 7010 for the root running a step pass on V-grooves, I always make very small steps in and out to keep it tight inside the groove. …

Easy restarts with 7018 Not rated yet
If your machine has a 'soft start' setting like as in fully TIG capable, use that. Your restarts will go easy every time with 7018. It does not hurt the …

Tip for quick rod pouch. Not rated yet
Use a old welding glove to keep a handful of rods when working when weld job doesn't allow the use of a weld table. Example when welding up equipment …

the dryer the better  Not rated yet
7018 is great but if you get it damp its worthless .even high humidity can make the rod stick like crazy.i keep my rods in a zip lock bag untill i need …

7018 restart tip Not rated yet
I just tap it real easy on a rock because i weld outside or strike it like a match seems to work good for me

Setting Range  Not rated yet
I mentioned to someone that a place I used to work would get boxes of welding rods that had the setting range for the approximate amperage marked on the …

V-groove When it is too hot to weld. Not rated yet
I have always found it helpful to carry a heat marker or laser thermometer for welding test plates or vertical groove welds. as a rule of thumb 350-400 …

7018. lots of berrys and slag wont come off ? Not rated yet
am i to hot,to fast .to slow ,heat not set rods damp this only on flat fillets can get fine up hill. lot of splater on flat stuck on tight . thank s …

Tip for 7018 vertical up V groove Not rated yet
I like to push the rod through the weld joint keeping a 10-15 degree angle. just make sure to watch the tip. If it starts to toe-nail increase the angle. …

anybody got tips for fillet weld on lap joint with e6010.? Not rated yet
i'm in welding school and my teacher sucks at teaching. i'm doing lap joints on two 1" pieces of 1/4" mild steel. i can't seem to get it to look good. …

Overhead Dread Not rated yet
Main problem with the 4G position is bead sag. Best way that i found to help keep your beads from saggin is turn up your heat.. I've been welding for three …

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Stick welding videos. Not rated yet
How about giving us more videos on stick welding. I've learned a lot from your tig and mig videos but I'd like to see more on stick.

general welding Not rated yet
watch the molton pool when your welding if it starts to become more of a arrow point in the back of the pool you are going to fast, and when you go to …

Tips for Beginners Not rated yet
When you start stick welding for the first time, no matter who you are, you could be the richest man alive, or a genius. Your electrode will stick to the …

Overhead welding Not rated yet
Do the exact same thing you do flat, just upside down. Same heat same starts same rod movements. Easy, just upside down.

Tip for welding Horizontal pipe with no support Not rated yet
Wrap your welding lead around the pipe and tie a single over hand knot in it with enough lead left over to move around with. If you're right handed loop …

got a dig dial? Not rated yet
if your using a machine with a dig control dial use it! high for 6010, low for 7018. it will fine tune your arc to the point that putting a root pass in …

need tips for vertical upwards  Not rated yet
i'm in my 2nd semester smaw and my vertical welds using e6010- 1/8"& 5/32" are frustrating the hell outta me !!! my root pass and about 4 hot passes are …

Drying out my wet LH 7018 rod Not rated yet
Welding on heavy equipment, many times in the rain or snow with no hot box and everything soaked to the bone including me,I will short my 7018 rod to the …

Amperage to rod size. Not rated yet
say your welding with a 7018(1/8) inch ,well if you turn the fraction into a decimal that would be (.125) which is what runs the best for me. same for …

Stick welding . . .  Not rated yet
I love you site your a very skilled welder ! I was wondering why you dont have more on here about this (smaw)on this site ? --------------------------------------- …

restart Not rated yet
when i get done with a 7018 pass, right when i pull the rod up i give it a little flick. and the little ball of slag just flips right off the end of the …

when welding cap on uphill v grove plate. Not rated yet
all plate and pipe caps that i know of are done with a 7018. so pretend thats what ull b using. try weaving a figure eight up ur weld. count every …

Rod sticking to work Not rated yet
If you get your rod stuck to your work, just give a little twist. Don't pull the electrode out of the holder. It generates an arc in the hand piece that …

"strick it like a match" Not rated yet
Ive seen alot of welders do this dance with a 5p++++ electrode because it got stuck to the work peice, well if you keep in mind the way you strike a match …

Alternate Restarting of 7018 Not rated yet
if a file is not handy, but you are working in an arc welding booth or outside, scratch the 7018 tip against the firebrick, concrete, or asphalt. it takes …

ok to hold the rod with your supporting hand to start it? Not rated yet
Is it ok for a person to hold the actual rod to help support the rod while starting and running the rod? ------------------------------------------------ …

V-Groove Tests Not rated yet
When you go to do an open butt V-G, regardless of the position, I have found that its a lot easier to keep your rod angle as close to a 90 degree angle …

figure 8's  Not rated yet
i move the rod in figure 8's that are laying on their side to get more penetration and not move down the track too fast.

Rule of Thumb: Setting the Right Amperage Not rated yet
An easy way to figure what to set your machine on, is every 1/32 of your rod diameter you gain 40 amps. You always have a high end and a low end. For example, …

a good tip for recognizing the right amperage Not rated yet
it may be hard to explain, but here goes. I notice if the round, (any rod), is set in a reasonable heat range it will weld with very little effort by …

Clean your window with "NozzleDip"  Not rated yet
Ok, I don't have more than a few years of welding experience. However,I always try to apply "whatever" is at hand to solve pesky problems (jus' can't …

4G Tips for 6010 Not rated yet
First of all, always make sure the electrode is wet. Once it's heated it will have a tendency to stick unless it's pretty moist. With a 4G butt joint …

I built the old school Not rated yet
Rubbing an XXX18 rod on the concrete floor works too.

"SLOWER IS FASTER" Not rated yet
IN ANY POSITION AS WELL AS ANY PROCESS I'VE DISCOVERED THAT WHENEVER YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TOO SLOW ALWAYS TELL YOURSELF TO GO SLOWER.

7018 stick Not rated yet
I use my glove press my thumb right on the tip of the electrode and the slag and a little flux comes off (no more than what a file does.)

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Tip for restarting 7018 rod Not rated yet
When you get ready to break the arc as you weld with 7018 electrodes just flick your wrist a little when you break the arc and the slag ball will flick …

Tip for Scratch Starting 7018 Not rated yet
Simply scratch the 7018 rod an inch or so from the intended direction of travel back to your starting point, to heat up the rod properly, and then forward …

need help with a lincoln tig 185 Not rated yet
i have a Lincoln tig/stick 185 welder and would like to know what setting should i weld plain flat steel... A/C ? DC NEG ? thanks leon --------------------------- …

flick the flux Not rated yet
When I pull out of the puddle, flick my wrist and the molten flux flys off. Of course do this away from others.

stop/restart with ease Not rated yet
When you are about to finish a bead and you have a lot of rod left, "whip" your rod while you pull it away from the metal. Basically, instead of gently …

Keep magnets away! Not rated yet
When using magnets to hold parts for tack-welding, keep the magnets away (at least 6'' )from the spot you're welding. Magnets make a strong field that …

7018 vertical up Not rated yet
keep the rod close to 90 to the work. keeping the rod at an angle makes the bead more convex

Tip for welding horizontal lap joint 6010 rod Not rated yet
what you need to do is tack your weld. Once you have it tacked then you want to have a 90 degree angle on the weld with a zero degree travel angle and …

don't give up on 6013 Not rated yet
lots of welders don't like the 6013 rod, but i find them perfect for pipe railings, build up of worn mild steel parts and the odd shop hook for hanging …

stick welding with alum. rod Not rated yet
tip , use 1/8 diam rod, on dcep current, 95 t0 100 amps , rod angle straight, you will get a cold start,grind off later,start welding develop your puddle …

Use the cement if you don't have a file Not rated yet
I used the cement to grind off the slag when I don't have a file handy.

tips for setting the right amperage Not rated yet
how do i set my gas driven welder for different gauges of steel? I have a lincoln ranger 16 hp which I have just bought and don't know if I'm setting the …

pulsed stick Not rated yet
if you have a pulsed tig welder this is especially helpful for stick welding on vertical up and overhead and tight spaces where contactor control and high …

Tip for restarting Hi-Lo (7018) rods Not rated yet
When I stop welding with 7018 rods a crater develops at the rod tip just as you've explained. To facilitate a smooth restarting I pinch the flux at the …

welding instructor Not rated yet
For over head welding,i find standing to the opposite side that your welding and dragging the electrode is the best possible way.Let's not forget to use …

Watch Your Eyes!!!!! Not rated yet
When Your Electrode Sticks To The Plate, NEVER TAKE YOUR WELDING HELMET OFF BEFORE YOU TAKE THE ELECTRODE HOLDER OFF OF THE ELECTRODE, IT WILL ARC A LITTLE, …

Restarts with SMAW Not rated yet
When you are about to do your restart strike your arc roughly 1/4inch in front of your stop. Quickly move towards your stop, pause and continue on with …

arc welding tip Not rated yet
if your welding using SMAW and your using a welding table that has the ground cable connected to and the rod gets stuck to it then just pick it up then …

7018 restarts Not rated yet
I used to just push the electrode into the concrete floor & with one quick 1/4 turn )you now have a brand new match. You are absolutely correct in stating …

Restarting 7018 Not rated yet
An easy way to prepare a 7018 rod for a clean restart is to poke the stick firmly into the table you're working on (after removing it from the stinger) …

Better restarts with 70 series rods Not rated yet
AS soon as you pull the rod from the puddle, before the tip cools, wipe it of between your left thumb and middle finger. This will remove the molten flux …

getting slag off of 7018  Not rated yet
i used the tap method, i take it out of the clamp and tap it lightly on the metal, might have to do a few, but it works and for me at least, no flux comes …

a simple curve!!! Not rated yet
if you put a steady curve over your electrode it will help keep your angle just right as your wrist curves making your neat line.

tip for not getting your rod stuck Not rated yet
if your heat is right not too low and your angle and arcing distance are right your rod will never stick

ever had problems getting amperage for different rods? Not rated yet
just remember the thinner rods (6011) the amperage is lower, like 95-115, for much thicker rods(7024) the amperage is higher, like 145-165. --------------------------- …

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Overhead safety Not rated yet
If you do a lot of overhead work with stick, MIG ect then you've probably had your arms burned a few times. Sometimes the green jacket itself isn't enough. …

Tip for setting the right aperage. Not rated yet
Usually to have a good weld you need an amperage range between 119-126 it all depends on the speed of which you move the rod. Wait for the weld pool to …

A tip you never see on videos for the noobs - use a chopsaw on those first electrodes Not rated yet
I had a kid want to learn how to stick weld, first time under the hood he stuck the stinger down got stuck pulled back jammed down almost everywhere except …

Tip for Welding dirty High Strength Nodular Cast Iron Not rated yet
One of the swing tower eyelets (3"ID) let loose on my Backhoe. Any feasible way to repair this high strength large nodular cast iron piece without …

Even Better Trick for Restarts with E-7018 Electrodes Not rated yet
Instead of packing the big rough file around in your back pocket just pop the rod out of the puddle when stopping. The Slag will not melt over top of the …

Restart with an electrode Not rated yet
If melted flux covers the tip of the electrode, tap(peck) it on grounded benchtop quickly and the insulating flux will be removed.

an ole guy told me Not rated yet
use some 6010 as a root before the 7018 will help with material. a good way to know the amperage for a 7018 is to see the end of the rod turn pink when …

tip for less slag on the end of 7018 rod after weld Not rated yet
whenever you want to keep using the same 7018 rod, as soon as you pull out of the puddle, give the stinger a quick flick of the wrist. this will knock …

SPLATTER PROTECTION Not rated yet
If you have to stick weld near something with threads or anything you don’t want splatter to stick too try this. Grab your torch and light It up, don’t …

for better restarts on 7018  Not rated yet
when u are done welding let the electrode cool then tap it on something hard and the slag on the end will fall off if you hit it to hard the flux will …

how to Not rated yet
I have a miller dial arc 250 ac dc machine .my brother gave me an airco high frequency box. how do i connect it to my miller so i can weld aluminum ? …

best 7010 rod Not rated yet
babcock and wilcox e7010 is the best all position rod ever made

good tips Not rated yet
i like my amps to be no more than 124...at 124 amps, it goes smooth with 7018... try it

settting the stick amperage Not rated yet
the right stick for me and the right thing to use for thick stick is a millermatic and the right amperage is about 124 to about 163.... try anywhere between …

7018 restart Not rated yet
A little technique to get the slag off a 7018, right before you stop welding, make very small circles to fill the crater then snap ur wrist so your rod …

trick for Better Restarts with 7018 ( with out a file) Not rated yet
All you need is a good pair of gloves, so your welding with 7018 then you stop. The tip of the rod is red hot, all you have to do is pinch the tip and …

Another 7018 restart tip Not rated yet
This tip eliminates having a file and works every time. When you are just finished with your weld flick the electrode. That ball at the end of the rod …

amp. on root weld Not rated yet
when welding 1/4" thick or over you need to apply a root weld.Once you have beveled out your metal all the way and cleaned it up,you begin with the root …

need second income Not rated yet
tip for setting the right amperage. How to start homebase welding business. -------------------------------------------------- for setting amperage, …

dont need the file... Not rated yet
you need to carry the file, just reach over and tap the end of the rod on something solid, that flux on the end will come right off if you have a dc …

Another tip for restarting 7018 rods. Not rated yet
This is something that's always worked for me, be it out in the refinery or down in the machine shop. When you've just stopped a pass, your rod will …

REDUCING WELDER FATIGUE Not rated yet
wrapping the welding lead around your arm just adds to welder fatigue. make yourself a lightweight whip by adding a duro or twist off type rod holder …

Tip for getting flux down Not rated yet
Take electrode off the electrode holder, bang it a couple of times on a table or whatever your working with, should bring the metal down enough to be able …

tip for better restart on 7018 Not rated yet
another trick to allow better restarts with 7018 is to have a small piece of 1x pine board handy and as quick as the arc is broken stick the tip squarely …

Stick rod use for demolition Not rated yet
Have you ever ran across that nasty rusty flange bolt head or nut that is so rusty you can't cut if off properly with a torch or it is rounded off or damaged …

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How to remove a weld cherry Not rated yet
Here's the easiest way to remove a weld cherry on non-critical work. The proper way is to grind it off. The easiest solution is to strike an arc …

Tips for a better Restart. Not rated yet
When you have just stopped a bead, you have a crater. Say you stopped because you need a new electrode. You change the electrode then get ready to start …

Restarting 7018 rods Not rated yet
Just use your (gloved) thumb to gently break off some of the ceramic slag. Get that bowl removed and the rod will relight.

Let it carry itself Not rated yet
Let the rod stars to arm at a 45 degree angle facing oposite the way you want to weld. Go slow and keep force in it. The ark will drag the rod down and …

Thin Metal Tip Not rated yet
Eastwood Automotive has a great set of adapters for your AC stick welder. The diode reduction with special electrodes allows sheet metal welding (automotive) …

Restarts on Any rod Not rated yet
Ever have problems restarting because of burn backs in the rod, or slag covering the tip? Well if u don't have a file handy, you can simply pinch the end …

Easier Solution for Restarting 7018 Not rated yet
Restarting 7018 is difficult because of the slag coating that covers the tip of the rod. The easiest way I've found to restarting this rod is to simply …

Restarting with a used 7018 welding rod Not rated yet
Another way to restart with a used low hydrogen (ex.7018)welding rod: 1. With a GLOVED hand remove the welding rod from the stinger. 2. Tap the end of …

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lincoln buzz box stick welder

A lot of people don’t know about the small diameter rods that are available. You can get 1/16 inch rods that work a lot better on sheet metal than the bigger ones. In fact if you practice a bit, the little rods work almost as well as a mig welder for thin sheet metal. You can order them online from Northern Tool or get them at the welding supply.

Home depot doesn’t carry them.

If you have been having trouble sticking rods with your small stick welder, the small 1/16 rods can be a HUGE help.

For heavier welding a good ole 7018 rod is hard to beat for strength and appearance. A 1/8 inch rod only needs about 100 to 130 amps to run smoothly so a 200 amp buzz box easily handles 130 amps. There have been a lot of welding businesses that started with only a cutting torch and a buzz box. 6011 rods work well on rusty metal and for downhill welding. The ripples are a little rougher and the slag is a little harder to chip, but they penetrate like a mug. For sheet metal, sometimes 6013 small rods work. Sometimes... lots of people love them, But I try to avoid 6013 rods because they trap slag on downhill runs. I just don't like them. Cant really explain it.

A lot of the welding on power plants and paper mills and high rises is still done with stick.

The reason? It works. Its portable, Its reliable and Its proven.

In contrast to mig welding, stick welding has sort of a built in control: you at least have to have the machine hot enough to keep the rod lit. That in itself almost ensures some amount of penetration.

Mig welding on the other hand is infinitely adjustable. The welder is free to set voltage and amperage very low, even on thick metal and the appearance of the finished mig weld is not a good indicator of the quality of the weld.

Think about that the next time you are behind a truck hauling a utility trailer.

I was on interstate 75 in Atlanta a few days ago and a utility trailer came loose and went across a few lanes of traffic. It was ugly.

Hot tips and tricks for stick welding - more Stick Welding tips

Using an extra rod to fill gaps,

If you are stick welding / arc welding and If you have an unusually big gap to fill, grab another rod and feed it with your other had like you would if you were gas welding. Make sure your gloves are dry so you won’t shock the piss out of yourself.

Don’t fear the amperage

On overhead stick welds, I have seen a lot of folks cut the amperage down thinking it will help keep the weld from sagging. Negatory good buddy, you need it good and hot just as if you were welding flat. That way you can keep the arc real close the puddle will drive it home and flatten out from arc force.

The angle of the dangle

On overhead stick welding / arc welding especially, don’t get carried away with angle of the rod. Keep it dead nuts straight in or 5 degrees one way or the other. This is a big deal. Most of the overhead welding I see that sucks can be blamed on too much rod angle. When in doubt , dead nuts straight in is hard to beat.

Screw 6013’s .

Throw the little pieces of crap away. I’m serious. They suck, and the only purpose they serve is to help you learn how to weld. Just like Arnold Schwarzenegger said “milk is for babies, when you grow up you drink beer”. (yes he really did say that...even though he probably drinks milk) 6013s are for noobs, when you learn to weld better, use 6011 and 7018.

6011s and a buzz box

Give me some 6011s and a buzz box and I will be as happy as a pig in sh...… 6011 rods dig thru paint and rust and run good downhill. What more could you ask for?

Oh yeah,,, Don’t forget 7018 rods run just fine on a buzz box. Especially if you buy the 7018 AC rods made for welding on AC.

And don’t forget about 3/32 7018 rods . 3/32" rods are much easier to control on overhead and vertical welds and the slag chips easily if set the machine right and do it right.

One thing I have not been able to work very well is aluminum stick welding. I will keep trying and when I get something that works, I will post it here.

Need to stick weld / arc weld on your Tig machine? If you only need to burn a few rods then don’t even bother hooking up a stinger. Just use your Tig torch with a 1/8” or 3/32”collet setup. You can even use the foot pedal if you want.




leave stick welding tips and see MIG welding Tips


go to TIG welding Tips



Coming soon... How to hook up a tig torch to a DC arc welder Ok I am really dragging my ass on this one. But I will do it soon. I am writing a reminder on my hand right now.

---------------------------------------------------------

Ok I finally got around to it....

Here is the link for tig welding using an old stick welder

Electrode Identification System

Mild Steel Electrodes

Mild steel electrodes are identified by a system that uses a series of numbers to indicate the minimum tensile strength of a good weld, the position’s in which the electrode can be used, the type of flux coating, and the types of welding currents.

E6012 The letter E prefixes the number and represents the electrode. The E is used as a prefix for any filler metal that uses electricity to perform a weld.

E6012 The first two or three numbers indicate the minimum tensile strength of a good weld, for example E60XX, E70XX, E110XX. The tensile strength is given in pounds per square inch (psi.). The actual strength is obtained by adding three zeros to the right of the number given. For example, E60XX is 60,000 psi. and E110XX is 110,000 psi.

E6012 Refers to the metal welding position. The number 1,2,3, or 4 to the right of the tensile strength designation gives the position...1= all positions - 2 =horizontal or flat - 3 = flat only - 4 = all positions but vertical down.

E6012 The last number indicates the major type of flux covering and the type of welding current.

0 - DCRP 1 - AC/DCRP 2 - AC/DCSP 3 - AC/DC

4 - AC/DC

5 - DCRP

6 - AC/DCRP

8 - AC/DCRP

DC = direct current

DC/SP = direct current straight polarity

AC =alternating current

DC/RP = direct current reverse polarity

Understanding Electrode Data

Tensile Strength The load in pounds that would be required to break a section of good weld that has a cross-sectional area of one square inch.

Yield point,PSI The point in low and medium-carbon steels at which the metal begins to stretch when stress is applied, after which it will not return to its original length.

Elongation The percentage, a two inch piece of metal will stretch before it breaks.

Charpy V-notch ft.lb. The impact load required to break a test piece of welded metal. This test may be performed on metal below room temperature, at which point it is more brittle.

Alloy Elements and Their effects on Steel

Carbon (c) As the percentage of carbon increases, the tensile strength increases, the hardness increases, and ductility is reduced.

Sulphur (S) It is usually a contaminant and the percentage should be kept as low as possible, below 0.04%. As the percentage of carbon increases, Sulphur can cause hot shortness and porosity.

Phosphorus (P) It is usually a contaminant and the percentage should be kept as low as possible. As the percentage of phosphorus increases, it can cause brittleness, reduced shock resistance, and increased cracking.

Manganese (Mn) As the percentage of manganese increases, the tensile strength, hardness, resistance to abrasion, and porosity all increase; hot shortness is reduced.

Silicon (Si) As the percentage of silicon increases, tensile strength increases, and cracking may increase.

Chromium (Cr) As the percentage of chromium increase, tensile strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance increase, with some decrease in ductility.

Nickel (Ni) As the percentage of nickel increases, tensile strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance increase

Molybdenum (Mo) AS the percentage of molybdenum increases, tensile strength at elevated temperatures and corrosion resistance increase.

Stick Electrode Selection--Choosing the right Stick Rod

Type of Current: Can the welding power source supply AC only, DC only, or both AC and DC?.

Power Range: What is the amperage range on the welder and it’s duty cycle? Different types of electrodes require different amperage settings even for the same size welding electrode.

Type of Metal: Some welding electrodes may be used to join more than one similar type of metal. Other electrodes may be used to join two different types of metal.

Metal Thickness: The penetration characteristics of each welding electrode may differ. Selecting the electrode that will properly weld on a specific thickness of material is very important.

Weld Position: Some electrodes will weld in all positions. Other electrodes may be restricted to the flat and horizontal or vertical positions, or only the flat electrodes will weld on metal that is rusty, oily, dirty or galvanized with sufficient penetration.

No. of passes: The amount of reinforcement needed may require more than one pass. Some welding electrodes build up faster and others will penetrate deeper. The welding slag may be removed more easily from some welds than others.

Temperature: Welded metals react differently to temperature extremes. Some welds become very brittle and crack easily in low temperature service. (when welding in cold temperatures, you should pre-heat the metal, and after the weld is made it should be covered or shielded from the cold to allow it to cool slowly).

Mechanical: Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, toughness, ductility, and impact strength can be modified by the selection of specific welding electrodes.

Distortion: Welding electrodes that will operate on low-amperage settings will have less heat input and cause less distortion. Welding electrodes that have a high rate of deposition (fills joints rapidly) and can travel faster will cause less distortion.

Welding Clean-up: The hardness or softness of a weld greatly affects any grinding, drilling, or machining. Also slag and spatter removal affects the time and amount of clean-up required.

Most Common Steel Stick Welding Electrodes

E6011 The E6011 electrodes are designed to be used with AC or DC reverse polarity currents and have an organic-based flux. They have a forceful arc that results in deep penetration and good metal transfer in the vertical and overhead positions. The electrode is usually used with a whipping or stepping motion. This motion helps remove unwanted surface materials such as paint, oil, dirt and galvanizing. The E6011 has added arc stabilizers which allow it to be used with AC. Using this welding electrode on AC current only slightly reduces its penetration qualities. The weld puddle may be slightly concave from the forceful action of the rapidly expanding gases. This forceful action also results in more spatter and spark during welding.

E6013 The E6013 electrodes are designed to be used with AC or DC, either polarity current. They have a rutile-based flux (titanium dioxide). The electrode has a very stable arc that is not very forceful, resulting in a shallow penetration characteristic. This limited penetration characteristic helps with poor fitting joints or when welding thin materials. Thick sections can be welded, but the joint must be grooved to allow for multiple weld passes. A thick layer of slag is deposited on the weld, but is easily removed, and may even remove itself after cooling. These electrodes are commonly used for sheet metal fabrication and general repair work. These electrodes are not designed for welding downhill and will trap slag easily. (They work well for learning to weld, but after that move on to real electrodes)

E7018 The E7018 electrodes are designed to be used with AC or DC reverse polarity currents. They have a low hydrogen based flux with iron powder added. The E7018 electrodes have moderate penetration and buildup. The slag layer is heavy and hard but can be removed easily with a chipping hammer. The weld metal is protected from the atmosphere by the slag layer and not by rapidly expanding gases. The E7018 is very susceptible to moisture which may lead to weld porosity.

E7024 The E7024 electrodes are designed to be used with AC or DC, either polarity current. They have a rutile based flux with iron powder added. This welding electrode has a deep penetration and fast fill characteristic. The flux contains about 50% iron powder, which gives the flux its high rate of deposition. In other words, a lot of the flux actually gets deposited as weld metal... The heavy flux coating helps control the arc and can support the electrode so that a drag technique can be used. The drag technique allows this electrode to be used by welders with less skill. The slag layer is heavy and hard but can be easily removed. Because of the large fluid puddle, this electrode is used in the flat and horizontal positions only.

Stick Welding Amperage Guide

stick welding amperage chart

On most stick welding machines , the voltage is predetermined. It is included here just in case you have a really old machine


leave stick welding learn about welding certification
welding t joint with 7018
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Shielded metal arc welding rods different types of welding rods
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