How To Weld a 7018 uphill tee joint

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2 ft long 3f Vertical Tee joint 7018 1/8"

Different brands of 7018 have different amperage ranges.

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Generally, 125-130 amps works well for a Flat weld on the bench or a 2F fillet weld.

But for vertical uphill, slightly less amperage like 105-120 amps tends to work better in controlling the puddle . (depending on thickness of metal)

Anytime you are stick welding uphill, you are dealing with gravity so setting amperage to  slightly less  than you would use for flat or horizontal  tends to work better. 

7018 1/8" and 5/32" Uphill Fillet Welds with Amperage settings

In the video above, 110-120 amps worked well for 7018 1/8" for 1/4" thick metal on a tee joint fillet weld.

But for 5/32" 7018, on a 3/8" thick tee joint,  140 to 145 amps worked OK.

I am hearing that some contractors are requiring 5/32" 7018 for structural welding tests so that is why I included that segment in the video.

The different brands usually have technical data that is readily available online for amperage ranges.

They are all a bit different but if we look at the ranges listed below, the middle of the range is right around 120-125 amps for all of them.

• Lincoln Excalibur 90-160 amps - middle of range is 125 amps
• Esab Vac Pac 110-140 amps - middle of range is 125 amps
• Hobart 90-150 amps - middle of range is 120 amps

The most important things to remember for uphill welding with 7018 are:

Current - make sure your polarity is DCEP and amperage is set right for the position and thickness you are welding

Arc Length - Once amperage is set hot enough to where the rod won't stick while holding a tight arc, hold a tight arc. Arc control aka Dig setting can help if your machine has this feature.

Rod angle - Rod angle should be a slight push angle for uphill welding with 7018 but rod angle can be very forgiving as long as arc length is tight.

I asked Chat GPT "what are the top 5 brands of 7018 based on welder preference" ?

The top 5 brands of 7018 welding electrodes based on welder preference — especially among professionals and experienced hobbyists — typically include the following:

🔥 1. Lincoln Electric – Excalibur 7018🔥 

• Why Welders Love It: Widely regarded as the gold standard. Known for a smooth arc, easy slag removal, minimal spatter, and great puddle control.
• Common Uses: Structural steel, pipe welding, and general fabrication.
• Notes: Not everyone loves Excalibur or any other brand of 7018. Welders have strong opinions and you can always find a negative comment on any brand of 7018.

2. ESAB – Atom Arc 7018🔥

• Why Welders Love It: Smooth arc and low hydrogen content. Excellent for critical applications and code work.
• Common Uses: Pressure vessels, bridges, structural components.
• Notes: Often used in pipe and structural certifications. Very consistent performance.

3. Hobart – 7018🔥

• Why Welders Love It: Great performance for the price. Readily available at tractor supply and other stores and easy to run, especially in hobby and small shop settings.
• Common Uses: Farm repairs, general fabrication, maintenance welding.
• Notes: A favorite in the DIY and small shop community. Also used in some industrial settings.

4. Forney – 7018 AC & 7018🔥

• Why Welders Love It: Forney’s 7018 AC rods work well on low open-circuit voltage machines (like buzz box AC welders).
• Common Uses: Home and farm repairs, hobby welding.
• Notes: The 7018 AC version is popular for older Lincoln tombstone-style welders.

5. Sureweld or E7018 by Select Arc (and other regionals)

• Why Welders Love It: Select Arc and other regionals like Sureweld or McKay get great feedback in certain areas and industries.
• Common Uses: Structural steel and general welding.
• Notes: Not as widely known as Lincoln or ESAB, but highly respected in pipe trades and code work.

Honorable Mentions:

• Bohler Fox EV 50: Premium European electrode used in high-spec work.
• Blue Demon: Popular in the online welding supply market for hobbyists.
• Radnor (Airgas brand): Widely used because of cost and available at Airgas