Welding Rod Sizes and Uses-How to Select Rods for Welding
It is essential to know your tools before learning or working. And welding working is not easy, and you should have proper knowledge before perform any welding. If you are planning to practice stick welding, then you have to know about welding rods sizes and uses.
Today in this article, we are going to talk about various sizes of welding rods and their uses. Knows welding rods is not enough because you have to know which rods are consumable and which rods are non-consumable. If you stay with me until the end of this article and read carefully, then I will explain every about the stick welding rods and where and what welding rod size to use.
The most common rods professional welders use is 6010, 6011, 6012, 6013, 7018, and 7028. You can also find the different sizes of rods, and they all have different usage at welding projects. And you have to careful because welding rod selection is essential to get satisfying welding results.
Classification of welding rods
If you are a beginner in the welding world, then you probably do not know about the rods classification and welding rod numbers. The numbers on the welding rods provide information about the rods, and the welders easily can understand their usages.
The welding rods makers industries refer these numbers in three sets. The first two numbers are for rods tensile strength and the third number represents that from which positions you can use the rod. And the last number gives information about which coatings are used on the rods.
Like if the rod’s first two numbers are 70, then it means the welding rod can withstand 70,000 pounds per square inch. The third number is 1 in the most case because you can use that rod in all four positions. And as I said, the last number represents the coated, and it also helps you to choose the correct, current flow.
Let’s have a quick look at the rod classification chart.
Here are the detailed explanations about welding rods we mansions on the list.
E6010 Welding Rod
These welding rod’s first two numbers are 60, that’s mean its tensile strength is 60,000 pounds per square inch. The third number is 1, and that represents it can use in all four positions horizontally, vertically, flat, and overhead.
- All purpose mild steel welding rod
- Provides smoother arc characteristics
- Used for out of position welding, maintenance welding, galvanized steel, ship building and pipe line welding
- Quality material
- Durable and long lasting
E6010 can provide deep penetration for the coating, and it contains high cellulose sodium. This rod can pass through dust, rust, and oily metals during welding. And another advantage of this rod is it cool down quickly and leaves a thin layer of slang which is easy to clean.
Suitable amperage
Each welding rods has a suitable amperage setting, and it depends on the diameter of the rod. The 1/8 inch 6010 welding rod works correctly with the amperage rate of between 75 to 125 amps.
Polarity type
You need to use DC power to use this rod, and this is the only way you can apply it during welding. If you have an AC powered welding machine, then this type of rod is useless.
Rod uses
This type of rods has a wide range of use at welding work. By using this rod, you can weld on shipyards, field construction, water towers, pressure vessels, pressure pipes, steel casting, plain and galvanized steel storage tanks, etc.
PROS:
- Can do a deep weld penetration
- Produce less slang and easy to clean
- Available for four different positions
- Can work with paints, dust, rust and oily metal
- Suitable for outside use
CONS:
- Only use with DC type of power supply.
- Not suitable for an entry level-welder
E6011 Welding Rod
This rod has the same number and strength as the first one. Its first numbers also 60, and that’s mean its tensile strength is 60,000 pounds per square inch. The rod is useable in all four positions, and it also offers deep penetrations.
- The product is 5LB 1/8 6011 Weld Rod
- Easy to use
- All position welding, all purpose rod for deep penetration and fast freezing on dirty, rusty and painted materials
- Smooth arc wetting and spread with good spatter providing fast deposition and flatter contour fillets offering faster travel speeds
- Minimal surface preparation required
- Minimal surface preparation required
- Excellent for galvanized steel and rusty/oily steel in maintenance or repair applications
- Dependable and ideal for AC operation, can be welded DC+ too
- Click on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title to view our full catalog of Welders, Abrasives, Chain/Wire Rope, Tools and more!
The main difference between E6010 and E6011 is coating. E6011 comes with high cellulose potassium, and it comes in verity sizes. This rod can perfectly weld even the metal is dirty, rusted or paint on it. It also leaves less slag during welding, and the welding area is easy to clean.
Suitable amperage
The suitable amperage of this welding rod is 75 amps to 125 amps for 1/8 inch E6011. And the 3/32 inch rod can correctly handle the amperage rate of 40 to 85 amps. The amperage measure by the size and diameter of the rod.
Polarity type
Unlike the E6010 this rod can usable on both AC and DC power supply. So, you do not have to worry about what type of welder machine you are using.
Rod uses area
E6011 is suitable for various kinds of works. By using this type of welding rod, you can weld on auto body works, pipe welding, shipbuilding, general repairs, and fabrications.
PROS:
- Weld can be performed with rust, dust, and paint metals.
- Suitable for both AC and DC power supply
- Offer a deep penetration.
- Usable in all four positions
- Easy to clean the welding area because of less slag
CONS:
- Not suitable for a newbie welder for practicing
- Sometimes it cannot offer perfect finishing weld if you use a thicker rod
E6012 Welding Rod
This rod has the same tensile strength as the E6010 and E6011, and it is 60,000 pounds per square inch. You can use the rod in all four positions because its third number is 1.
- The product is 5LB 3/32 6013 Weld Rod
- Easy to use
- All position welding, general purpose rod for shallow penetration or in poor fit up conditions
- Excellent wetting action, yielding smooth and flat beads with steady arc with either AC or DC
- Low spatter and excellent slag removal, virtually self cleaning in vertical down fillets
- Use on all types of mild steel where ease of operation and good appearance is required in all positions, ideal for vertical down welding
- Use for all types of mild steel fabrication
This rod cannot offer deep penetrations like the first two, and it can provide medium penetrations. And it’s coating also different than the first two rods. This welding rod coating is high titania sodium. E6012 rod leaves more slag then the first two rods that’s mean you have to do more cleaning.
Suitable amperage
The amperage rates differ by the rod types and the sizes. If you are using 1/8 inch rod during welding, then the correct amperage is between 80 to 140 amps. And if you use the 3/32 inch size of the rod, then you can use 35 amps to 85 amps.
Polarity type
You can use this rod by using AC or DC power supply. So, this type of rod will not make a problem if your machine only comes with a kind of power supply or comes with both.
Rod uses area
By using this type of rod can perform various kinds of welding works. You can perform connecting open joints, welding rusted carbon steel, and multiple repair works.
PROS:
- Usable with both AC and DC welding machine
- Best match for mild steel
- Can perform welding with dirty or rust metal
- Usable in all four positions
- Perfect for joining metals and fill the gas
CONS:
- Offer medium weld penetrations.
- Leaves a lot of slags which needs clean up after welding
E6013 Welding Rod
This rod is easy to use and mainly design for a beginner level welder. The tensile strength is the same as the above rods 60,000 pounds per square inch. You can use this rod in all four positions comfortably because the third number is one.
- The product is LB 3/32 6013 Weld Rod
- Easy to use
- All position welding, general purpose rod for shallow penetration or in poor fit up conditions
- Excellent wetting action, yielding smooth and flat beads with steady arc with either AC or DC
- Low spatter and excellent slag removal, virtually self cleaning in vertical down fillets
- Use on all types of mild steel where ease of operation and good appearance is required in all positions, ideal for vertical down welding
- Use for all types of mild steel fabrication
You can get shallow weld penetrations by using this rod. The coating of this rod is high titania potassium which burns quickly and correctly. But this rod leaves a lot of slags that require a bit more cleanup.
Suitable amperage
The amperage rates of this rod differ in the diameter and sizes. If you are using a 3/32 inch diameter rod, then the suitable amperage range is between 40 to 90 amps. But if you use a different size of rod-like ¼ inch diameter, then the perfect amperage range is 250 to 350 amps.
Polarity type
This type of rod is entirely usable with AC and DC power supply. So, you do not have to worry about your machine current type and correctly practice welding.
Rod uses area
By using this rod, you can perform various welding work. This rod can perform auto body repair works, shipbuilding, general welding repair, and steel.
PROS:
- Suitable for beginner level welder to do practice
- Can use with AC and DC type of welder machine
- Usable in all four positions
- Suitable for thin metal sheets
- Wide range of welding area
CONS:
- Offers shallow penetrations
- Leaves a lot of slag after welding and needs more cleaning
E7018 Welding Rod
This rod is different than other rods we describe above. The rod first two number is 70 that’s mean its tensile strength is 70,000 pounds per square inch. It the third number is 1, that’s mean you can use it in all four positions correctly.
- The product is 5LB 3/327018AC Weld Rod
- Easy to use
- All position welding, low hydrogen rod for general purpose AC applications requiring low penetration, can also be used on DC+
- Excellent bead contour, light spatter and slag is often self cleaning
- Good performance with low open circuit-Voltage OCV power sources
- Excellent for tack and skip welds, offers easy re-striking, ideal for out of position welding
- Ideal for shops, farms, hobbyist, and DIY welders
- Click on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title to view our full catalog of Welders, Abrasives, Chain/Wire Rope, Tools and more!
The coating of this rod is iron powder low hydrogen, and it can provide shallow to medium penetration. By using this rod, you can get a smooth, reliable, and ductile welding experience, and this is one of the most available rods. But it is hard to clean the slag sometime if the setup is not correct.
Suitable amperage
This rod amperage rate is different than the other type of rods. The E7018 ¼ inches can use up to 225 amps power supply to preform weld. But if you use a 3/32 inch diameter rod, then the recommended power is 90 amps.
Polarity type
This welding rod is suitable for both AC and DC power welding machines, just like other rods. So, you can weld everywhere with any type of power supply.
Rod uses area
This rod has a wide range of welding areas. By using it, you can do structural welding, weapons assembly, building construction, home repair, and fabrications.
PROS:
- Provide smooth and stable welding
- Easy to use compared to other rods
- Wide range of welding area
- Usable in all four positions
- Suitable for both AC and DC power welder machine
CONS:
- Sometimes it hard to clean the slag left over by the rod for the wrong setup
- Rod requires an oven to store it because of low hydrogen coating.
E7014 Welding Rod
The E7024 rod tensile strength is 70,000 pounds per square inch. And this welding rod different than others on our list. Where other rods can use in all four positions, this rod only can use in two positions. That’s mean you can use this rod only horizontally and flat positions.
- All position welding rod with digging arc, deep penetration on dirty, rusty and painted materials
- Ideal for joints requiring deep penetration such as square edge butt welds, good for vertical and overhead welding with light slag
- Minimal surface preparation required
- Excellent for galvanized steel and rusty/oily steel in maintenance or repair applications, plus pipe welding
The reason for two-position use is this rod produce high temperature, big puddle and the flux causes the molten metal to be solid slowly. This rod offer shallow to medium penetrations, and the coating of this rod is iron powder titania. You do not store this rod in a rods oven.
Suitable amperage
The suitable amperage for 1/8 inch E7024 is 100 to 160 amperages. But if you use a 3/16 inch size diameter of this rod, then the recommended amperage range is between 220 amps to 280 amps. The amperage differs by the size of the rods.
Polarity type
This welding rod can comfortably perform welding with DC and AC power supply. Both types of welding machines can use this rod to do welding. But this rod welds more comfortably with AC power.
Rod uses area
This rod mostly uses in two positions, but you can use it is a verity workplace. By using this rod, you can perform significant welds, industrial welding, high-speed horizontal welding and flat fillet welds.
PROS:
- Does not require a rod oven to store it
- Produce smooth weld and reliable welding
- Wide range of welding area
- Produce low splatter during welding
- The slag is easy to clean because this rod produces less slag.
CONS:
- Only usable in two positions horizontal and flat
- Produce high temperature during welding
What is the use of welding rods?
It totally up to your needs what kind of welding you want to do with the rods. Like the E6011 is popular than any other rods of its series. This rod can perform welding with AC and DC type of welding machine, and it also can weld on dirt, rust and paint on the metal. You can find this welding rod size in mm at 2.5 mm.
It is essential to select a welding rod size for metal thickness mm to get perfect welding results like what size welding rod for 3mm steel you can use 6011, 6013, or 7018 correctly. Most of the rods are usable from all positions and produce satisfying welding.
The 7024 welding rods are suitable for thick sheets of metal, but for easy use, you can pick 6013 or 7018 types rods.
Bottom line
I hope I can provide you with all the information you need to know about welding rods. There are verity types of welding rods you can find in the market beside the rods I describe. And the rods I pick to discuss frequently use at welding works.
But you have to select which rods are the best match for your works. To pick the correct one, use the number printed on the rods. The first three numbers will tell you everything you need to know.
If you want to know more about the welding machine, then you can visit our best welding machine for beginner article to know more.
The FAQs About Welding Rod
Q. What is the 6013 welding rod used for?
Answer: This rod can perform auto body repair works, shipbuilding, general welding repair, and steel.
Q. What is the length of a welding rod?
Answer: The perfect length of a welding rod is 2.5 mm to 5 mm.
Q. What is the difference in welding rods?
Answer: There are many differences in welding rods. Like tensile strength, positions of use, coating, and size diameter are commons.
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