Can only buy 10kg batches. Should I get 1.6mm (1/16") E6010?

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My main project uses 0.7mm steel or galvanized sheet, and the shape is suitable for clamping with a heat-sink backing. My hobby projects are usually 2mm steel (angle iron or similar).Since I can't buy less than 10 kg of 6010, is 1.6mm rod a good compromise? Will I have trouble welding or tacking my thicker hobby metal? If I practice and use a thick backing, is this rod thin enough to weld my thinner project metal? Or if I went thinner and got 1.2mm, would this be an absolute pain in the *** for welding 2-3mm metal?Ideally, I'd buy two batches: 1.0mm and 2.0mm, but then I would have $50 of small-diameter rods that I would probably never use up.(P.s., do people on this forum mind metric? I can do inches, but I can't hack fractions of an inch. )
Reply:First off, stick welding 0.7mm steel will likely be limited to tacks. Have you successfully done this before?General rule of thumb is not to stick weld steel thinner than the rod you weld it with.You won't find a 1.0mm stick rod.Since you are concerned you'll be stuck with small rods, you may as well buy the 2.0mm (5/64") rods.If they have to be run with too many amps, then buy the 1.6mm (1/16") rods.Neither rods are very much fun to run, but the the 2.0 is a little easier than the 1.6.Where I live, I've never seen 6010 smaller than 2.4mm (3/32")fraction, decimal, mmLast edited by MinnesotaDave; 08-05-2014 at 10:49 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Tack welds are enough. I'll go for the 1.6mm. On this site (not in English) I can buy rod as thin as 0.8mm, but I can't find any 6011 in any usable size! Thanks.
Reply:A word of advise if you've never used tiny rods - when you scratch them to start the arc they tend to wiggle around since they are so thin. Holding the stinger like normal in my right hand, I hold the rod about midway down with my left to steady it.After it burns a few inches I let go.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:My experience has been sticking, then before I think it through enough to rip the stinger off the rod it glows red. I have tried with success using a long porcelain tube from the old knob and tube days as a left hand guide to better control the rod.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveA word of advise if you've never used tiny rods - when you scratch them to start the arc they tend to wiggle around since they are so thin. Holding the stinger like normal in my right hand, I hold the rod about midway down with my left to steady it.After it burns a few inches I let go.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI detest those 1/16" strands of spaghetti!!!  I have used some 6013 1/16" and the shaking of the tip end just sucks.
Reply:Good advice! Sounds like I should definitely, definitely not buy anything *thinner* than 1.6mm. And I suppose I'll need a better welding mask--I'm using an old school mask with a handle, so I don't have a free hand. I bought what was cheap, thinking the restriction would make me a better welder, but using thin rods with one hand sounds more like super-human.For the sake of using two hands to position the stick, would you guys go for the high tech masks or the regular flippy ones? (I haven't seen them in stores, so I don't know much about them or their price differences.)Last edited by piojo; 08-05-2014 at 02:53 PM.