What Type Rods

[shade tree welder]

NEED TO KNOW WHAT TYPE RODS YOU RIG WELDERS ARE RUNNING NOWADAYS FOR GENERAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR AND STEEL WATERLINES 8THRU 12 INCH, I AM THINKING ABOUT BUYING A PORTABLE WELDER 250 OR 302 , HERE AT MY SHOP I DO A LOT OF MIG WELDING/FLUXCORE AND REG WIRE. I USUALLY RUN DOWN TO TSC STORE AND BUY 6011 /7018 FOT THE OLE BUZZ BOX WHEN THE SITUATIONCALLS FOR A ROD WELD(DIRTY,RUSTY,ETC). I NOTICE THERE ALL SEVERAL TYPES OF RODS ON THE MARKET,

[jfsmith]

Shade,

I would like to know also, normally I use LIncoln's 7018. Maybe they are the right ones for you also.

Jerry

[aametalmaster]

I only use 1 rod if not using my mig, 7018...Bob

[dabeldesign]

Hey guys, new to the forum...

If you are going to be welding rusty material (like you said) you're not going to have good results with 7018. Also, for welding pipe, etc, 6010 is the best. 6011 is the AC version of 6010. Both rods are good at digging through minor rust/ paint. On the other hand, 7018 is certified for welding buildings, bridges, etc. Don't use 7018AC if you can help it, stick with the DC current rods for much better quality.

[arc]

i use 6010 for roots, 7018 for fill and caps but if im doing pipe line welding down hill i use "hippi" rod 7010 for all passes.7024 for heavy duty skids because its way faster. and some specialty rods for cast or alloys but mainly 6010, 7018, 7024, 7010.

[triggerman]

Arc is right on!

Like Arc I use 6010 5P+ and 7018 for 80% of my welding. But I weld the root and the hot pass with the 5P+ and the cap is 7018. I occasionally weld the "crusty and rusty" and use 6011. I also use 6011 running DCEP for welding galvanized. Hope this helps.

[ghostrider52]

Type of rod

i use 6011 for root pass and to preheat a bit then mostly 7018 or 7024 for cover passes. this was done with a 6011 root pass and 12018 cover passes.
i just bought a box of 11018 for another job a few months ago but it fell through but i might have another excavator bucket to weld up 4 other welders have tried different ways and it hasn't work so i'll try the 11018 and see if it works. so on my rig i don't stay with 1 type of brand i'll used different brands hobart, liquide air, airco, macay, artec for cast iron, haven't done any pressure pipe so i can't help with that one. hope this helps

[shade tree welder]

Great input

Thanks for the info guys, never hurts to ask questions than to look stupid after the fact. old dog learns new tricks everyday cause he watched or listened to others! one question , lincoln has several 7018 type rods with tradenames and different codes letters, which is best for general welding,or pipe ?

[arc]

my Lincoln rods are Excalibur 7018 MR. For pressure pipe i use 6010 root 7018 fill and cover. but for pressure pipe down hand i use 7010 for fill and cover. dont think there is much difference between 7018's unless u get some ac 7018 rods.

[DDA52]

Linc LH-70's are the cheaper, general purpose ones. The Excalibers are the elite line. I just got me a 10#er to try. Not sure why I haven't tried them yet, but very soon I will. I have found that the Hobart 7018's are more user friendly. Some others on Ask Andy, Miller Motorsports site have agreed. It is all in what you like I suppose. The Hobarts are quite a bit cheaper, though. My LWS has just started carrying McKay 7018's. That's probably my next one to try out.


As for other rods, 6010's...either Linc 5P+ or Hobart Pipemaster 60's.....I have a tiny bit of Airco 6011C's left over, but that is about it. I use more wire in the field than rods anyway.