Welding

Most new rop burners usually weld to cold with 6013 hence the shallow penetration. Given time you will go back to 6013 as it does have it's purpous and is a good all around AC rod.

There are AC rated 6010 and 7018 electrodes. The majority are for DC only. So you didn't get all the correct info from your salesman. Some welding suppliers cater to the DC group as there more popular and takes less inventory. Glad you got some useful info from the website. Theres a great deal of knowledge from all the posters.

T_Bone

I have 2 questions .

First , you said most of us weld too cold with 6013 . What is a good averge amperage to use for 1/8" 6013 rods ? I had always been told that the decimal equiv. of the rod size was a good rule of thumb so I ran right around 125 amps . What do you recomend ?

Second , never done any DC welding yet . What is a good all around rod for your basic welding ( angle iron , mild steel , etc. ) ?

Thanks in advance !

Ford Man

PS. - Al , enjoy your new welder ! I have enjoyed mine ! You have come to the right place for good advice . (Not from me , but from the guys who can really help ! )

That is a good rule. Dials are a guess-o-ment of where to set a machine for futher refference. 130amp setting on mine might be a 135amp setting on yours.

When having any problems with any type of electrode always start at higher amps then start cutting down amps when you see problems from too much heat, ie; flux pre-flaking off the electrode
excessive weld splatter
loose of weld puddle control
Most of the above can be corrected with arc length and travel speed BEFORE turning down amperage. A close arc length will give extreamly good weld puddle control and contour.

Type of steel, moister content, humidity, cleaned joint or scaled joint, mostier content of the electrode, will all effect at what temperature a weld puddle is at. Temperature not being a refference to numbers but as to molten flow of the weld puddle.

Hard to beat Chemtron 7018. That is the finest all around electrode I've ever used.

Lincoln P5 or 6010 is another excellant electrode.

These are brand specific rods. Other electrode brands will not weld the same. 1/8" is a good size.

I have been known to carry a very hot weld puddle but one time I was taking a certification test and the test instructor did a 3/8" vertical plate test while I was there. That man carried twice the heat that I even considered. At the time I didn't think anyone would weld hotter than me. T_Bone