DC education?

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50 years ago High School welding taught me AC and OA welding and have been doing it ever since.I just bought a Century/ Wards AC/DC. I know that there are differences between AC and DC welding and want to school myself a bit. There are probably changes in AC welding also.Need suggestions  on a book or books to read. No school classes offered within 50 miles around here.ThanksCal
Reply:Most rods run smoother on DC rather than AC. Given a choice most guys will run DC all the time for this reason. AC does have an advantage if the steel is magnetized, but that's about it, other than the fact an AC machine will usually cost less than a comparable AC/DC machine.No real difference in how you run rods between AC and DC. If you can run one, that usually you can weld with AC, DC won't give you any issues.Some rods are DC only like 6010, some hardfacing rods, alum etc. Some rods want to be run DC+ or DC- and some will run either way just as well. It's usually marked on the package which way the manufacturer suggest you use the rod.Honestly there's not a lot that's probably changed with AC machines in the last 40+ years if not longer. Most AC machines are simple transformer based machines. Simple and rugged. With DC you will either find the older transformer style machines like you have, or the newer inverter based units. The big difference in transformer vs inverter is how much power they use, plus the fact that the inverter units allow a bit more adjustment of some parameters to tailor the arc characteristics. Over all in general for the average hobbyist, there's not a lot of difference in how the machines will perform. Inverters will allow a bit more output on say 110v units, but usually they cost more to buy ( at least with quality units). They also use lesss power overall, a big savings for a shop that runs the machines a lot. The home user probably doesn't weld enough to realize the savings in power usage to any great extent..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:As far as books, Lincoln Electric has a wide selection of excellent books at VERY reasonable prices."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"