Hey Tbone,,

There all rated for multi-position welding.

First two digits= tensile strength in psi
(60)11= 60,000psi, (70)14= 70,000psi, etc

3rd digit= position, 60(1)1, 70(1)4, etc; 1=all position, 2=flat, horizontal,
3=flat

4th digit= electrode covering (I covered this about a week ago in another thread) 601(1), 701(4)

As far as my personal prefference of the choices listed for any other position than flat:
6011
6013
7014
That always doens't hold true as it depends on what I'm welding, metal type, joint type, joint access, etc. Also depends on what electrode brand. Lincoln 6013, I like AC or DCEN.

If in doubt, use 6011 first. Galvanized only 6011 or 6010 with DCEN

If you need new rod, then consider buying Chemtron 7018 and Lincoln 6010. With these two rods I cover all my mild steel welding needs.

T_Bone

It's the electrode flux that first determines the best choice of welding current type. Since flux composistion is classified "top seceret" by the manufactures we can only generalize without looking up the mfg electrode recomendations.

If your using a unkown electrode mfg then you can use this "generalized" list:

Last number on the rod is flux type:
8= DCEP
O= DCEP
1= DCEN
2,3,4 or 7= AC or DC 5= DCEP (only)
6= DCRP, AC, DCEN

DCEP= DC electrode positive also called reverse polarity
DCEN= DC electrode negitive also called straight polarity

This list doesn't hold true for all electrodes. If the above list recomends DCEP and the electrode doesn't run well, try DCEN, then AC.

T_Bone