Bought another HF welder

[Stelth]

Since I got the wirefeed welder to work ok, and I seem to be able to make fairly strong (but not pretty) welds with it, I decided to pick up a stick welder from them also. I got the 80 amp, partly because I don't have any 220 outlets, and partly because it will probably be adequate for most of what I'll want to weld.

For a total noob like myself, this is a pretty easy welder to use. Strikes an arc easily, and is pretty forgiving of things like arc length. Of course you can stick a rod, but if you move fast, you can un-stick it easily as well. After trying it on a few scraps that I had already practiced on with the wirefeed welder, I found a couple of rusty old black iron pipe fittings. I ground the ends down to bright metal, and ground a slight bevel on the edges. First pass was not so good, but after I ground it down, I began to feel like I was "getting it" a little better. I made more passes, grinding them down in between. I finally was able to weld the fittings solidly together, so that I could throw them down on a concrete slab numerous times without any separation of the weld. I was using 1/16" rod at 45-50 amps, which is not the ideal pipe-welding setup, but I felt like it worked pretty well.

At this point I feel that I can make functional, strong welds with either machine. I need a lot more practice, but I like this equipment so far.

 

[Chris142]

Good for you! I can't Arc weld to save my life.

 

[tig1]

If your welder is rated for 80 amps then try to step up to 3/32 6011 or even 7018 rods. Do you have the automatic power cut off if you over heat the machine?

 

[Stelth]

Originally Posted By: tig1
If your welder is rated for 80 amps then try to step up to 3/32 6011 or even 7018 rods. Do you have the automatic power cut off if you over heat the machine?


I'm pretty sure it has the automatic cutoff. I'll grab some 3/32 rods next time I go to Home Depot.

 

[Donald]

an AC/DC TIG welder is next for you!!

 

[Stelth]

Originally Posted By: Donald
an AC/DC TIG welder is next for you!!


Ha! I think the next step for me is to learn some technique. I picked up some 3/32" 6011 rods like tig recommended, and discovered a whole new world of pain and frustration. If I had started with these rods, I probably would have given up. The 1/16" 6013's are total cake next to these. I finally managed to strike an arc with them, and even weld some things together. With this little welder turned all the way up, I feel like it's just barely making it with the bigger rods. The good news is that the welds seem strong, and I'm able to do some useful work with it.

 

[tom slick]

80 amps max is not very much for stick welding. Find some 7018, that's my favorite. 6013 is easy to use but it limited in its usefulness.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: tig1
If your welder is rated for 80 amps then try to step up to 3/32 6011 or even 7018 rods. Do you have the automatic power cut off if you over heat the machine?

Good Luck with a 3/32 7018 at 80 amps and getting good results.
Stick with a 3/32 6011 at that amperage, especially if your welding some thicker stock. The common 7018, 7014 & 6013's need a more current than a 6011. They do make some really small 6013's though.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: 3311
Originally Posted By: tig1
If your welder is rated for 80 amps then try to step up to 3/32 6011 or even 7018 rods. Do you have the automatic power cut off if you over heat the machine?

Good Luck with a 3/32 7018 at 80 amps and getting good results.
Stick with a 3/32 6011 at that amperage, especially if your welding some thicker stock. The common 7018, 7014 & 6013's need a more current than a 6011. They do make some really small 6013's though.


Sorry, but your wrong about the 7018 and 80 amps not being enough, but you are right about 6011 run with less amps than other rods. Also 3/32 308 will run on less amperage than 7018. I much prefer 6011 to 6013 as it has more penatration.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: 3311
Originally Posted By: tig1
If your welder is rated for 80 amps then try to step up to 3/32 6011 or even 7018 rods. Do you have the automatic power cut off if you over heat the machine?

Good Luck with a 3/32 7018 at 80 amps and getting good results.
Stick with a 3/32 6011 at that amperage, especially if your welding some thicker stock. The common 7018, 7014 & 6013's need a more current than a 6011. They do make some really small 6013's though.


Sorry, but your wrong about the 7018 and 80 amps not being enough, but you are right about 6011 run with less amps than other rods. Also 3/32 308 will run on less amperage than 7018. I much prefer 6011 to 6013 as it has more penatration.

I certainly respect your opinion but we will have agree to disagree about the 7018 at 80 amps and satisfactory results on all but the thinnest stock.

 

[tig1]

For 7018 rods, depending upon the machine and thickness of the material, 50-90 amps is the range that is normally used. 80 amps should work for the size of welder the OP has.

 

[doitmyself]

Tig,

What about 7014 rod for the home welder doing none critical welds?

There seems to be a lot of hate for 7014 by the pros. But, IF the metal is clean, and IF the joint is properly made up....it is an extremely easy rod to run. Unlike 7018, it is not so sensitive to moisture during storage.

I learned on 6011, but was amazed how easy and good looking 7014 welds are.

Comments?

 

[tom slick]

The problem I see with a welder that is 80 amps max is the duty cycle is probably something like 20% at 50 amps. Welding at 70-80 amps the duty cycle is probably in the single digits. That's not much welding time.

 

[Stelth]

Burned a bunch of rod this afternoon. I'm becoming more impressed with this little welder. Duty cycle, BTW is 35% @ 80 amps, and 100% @ 50. Somewhat less heartache today lighting off the 3/32 6011 rods, but it still can be a challenge. I ground out some welds and re-did them, and I think I'm beginning to understand. It would be a good idea to take a basic welding class.

Then I worked on running some beads on a flat piece of metal. Harder than I expected, but again, I am encouraged.

 

[tom slick]

The duty cycle is more impressive than I would have thought (obviously). Have fun!

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Tig,

What about 7014 rod for the home welder doing none critical welds?

There seems to be a lot of hate for 7014 by the pros. But, IF the metal is clean, and IF the joint is properly made up....it is an extremely easy rod to run. Unlike 7018, it is not so sensitive to moisture during storage.

I learned on 6011, but was amazed how easy and good looking 7014 welds are.

Comments?


7014 should be fine for most anything you would need it for. For weldments requireing more strength of course 7018 to 9018 is prefered. All depends on the job to be done.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: tig1
For 7018 rods, depending upon the machine and thickness of the material, 50-90 amps is the range that is normally used. 80 amps should work for the size of welder the OP has.

But he is definitely going to be on the cooler side of things which is not where you want to be unless he is working on very thin stuff.

 

[3311]

Originally Posted By: Stelth
Since I got the wirefeed welder to work ok, and I seem to be able to make fairly strong (but not pretty) welds with it, I decided to pick up a stick welder from them also. I got the 80 amp, partly because I don't have any 220 outlets, and partly because it will probably be adequate for most of what I'll want to weld.

For a total noob like myself, this is a pretty easy welder to use. Strikes an arc easily, and is pretty forgiving of things like arc length. Of course you can stick a rod, but if you move fast, you can un-stick it easily as well. After trying it on a few scraps that I had already practiced on with the wirefeed welder, I found a couple of rusty old black iron pipe fittings. I ground the ends down to bright metal, and ground a slight bevel on the edges. First pass was not so good, but after I ground it down, I began to feel like I was "getting it" a little better. I made more passes, grinding them down in between. I finally was able to weld the fittings solidly together, so that I could throw them down on a concrete slab numerous times without any separation of the weld. I was using 1/16" rod at 45-50 amps, which is not the ideal pipe-welding setup, but I felt like it worked pretty well.

At this point I feel that I can make functional, strong welds with either machine. I need a lot more practice, but I like this equipment so far.


Here is the Lincoln Stick(SMAW) Electgrode Guide: http://www.cutterod.com/cutter_zone/General/LincolnElectrodes_c210.pdf

It's the best, concise source of info regarding rods out there(free on the web)IMO. Pay particular attention to the amperage settings for each different rod. You want to start in the middle of that range and go form there.

I would practice with the 3/32 6011's for the thicker stuff and some 6013's 3/32 & 1/16 for the thinner stuff. If you weld anything critical/load bearing stick to the 6011's as you need all the penetration you can get with that little machine.

Keep us posted, that really looks like a good little machine for the money.

P.S. Don't believe the internet FUD about the 6013's you will see on some sites. They are good rods.

 

[3311]

I wanted to add this edit to the third paragraph above but was not able.
Edit/addition: 7014's are great as well but as with the 7018 's you may not have enough machine to get satisfactory(as in penetration) results.

 

[67lemans]

Originally Posted By: Stelth
Originally Posted By: Donald
an AC/DC TIG welder is next for you!!


Ha! I think the next step for me is to learn some technique. I picked up some 3/32" 6011 rods like tig recommended, and discovered a whole new world of pain and frustration. If I had started with these rods, I probably would have given up. The 1/16" 6013's are total cake next to these. I finally managed to strike an arc with them, and even weld some things together. With this little welder turned all the way up, I feel like it's just barely making it with the bigger rods. The good news is that the welds seem strong, and I'm able to do some useful work with it.


Did you try whipping your 6011?