School me in electrode size's

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Ok i can weld, got a welding test for a job wensday but ive been thinkin and i dont really know the difference between 1/8", 3/32", 5/32". Besides of course the actual size difference why would you choose a certain size? Ive always just grabbed one and went with it.
Reply:To be honest, there are many different reasons to choose different electrode sizes... I'm relatively new to welding; my education and preferences have taught me this:1. When filling a groove with a backing plate I like to get as deep as I can so if I have a choice I choose a 3/32" electrode (7018)2. In the flat position, you can get away with any size electrode, with vertical and overhead however, even with an "all position" electrode (xx1x eg. 7018) smaller electrodes are more forgiving. Meaning they don't have quite the propensity to "roll out."3. Depending on gap and land, you might require different amperages to prevent burn through or to achieve adequate penetration, therefore requiring different sized rod.4. Personal preference is just that, as long as the electrode designation meets the requirements at hand.There are many more that the other guys here fan bestow upon you... Those are just a few from my limited knowledge base.Marc
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldin to liveOk i can weld, got a welding test for a job wensday but ive been thinkin and i dont really know the difference between 1/8", 3/32", 5/32". Besides of course the actual size difference why would you choose a certain size? Ive always just grabbed one and went with it.
Reply:When welding Big metal / joints  I generally use bigger rods at higher ampsSmaller material = smaller rods. Example:2" shed 40 pipe = 3/32" 7018 for the fill24" sched 160 = 5/32" Although you could use 3/32 on the big pipe it would take longer to weld up.But trying youse the 5/32 on the shed 40 would be difficult as you would have more heat input andAs you would be Laying down more bead you would have travel quicker and therefor adjust your angles quickerImmight try it sometime for a laughG
Reply:Lincoln Electrode Guide .pdfhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=31171Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:gordfraser is right - Thinner material calls for smaller rods.The thicker the electrode, the more heat you add to the puddle, and the faster the weld deposits...meaning the faster the job is done.Run the largest rod you can handle without getting weld faults. 5/32" for flat and overhead, 3/32 or 1/8" for horizontal and vertical.Obviously not the absolute rule, but a good ball park to get started with.Just keep that arc tight and let the puddle tell the story.Best of luckIan
Reply:DeletedLast edited by Stick-man; 06-17-2011 at 12:22 AM.Reason: Just not worth arguing with a moron! Sorry to the OP."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"
Reply:Also, to expand on what Gordfraser said (Which is very accurate info); when you use say a 3/32 electrode, for any given amperage, by the size of the rod, the total heat produced and added will vary wildly. To use a 3/32 filler rod at say 120a, then to use a 5/32 filler rod with the same 120a, the total heat delivered with the bigger rod will be higher. This means that you get a more complete heating of the joint as you form the puddle and weld. This is important for graded, x ray, critical structural welds. To little heat poured in, and you can see cracking at the HAZ, because not enough total heat was poured in. The weld and the surrounding area cool at vastly different rates, and cracks can form. Of course, on the other side, too much heat is also detrimental. But for the question as asked, this is the lesser explained cause of many cracks in a weld. It rings true with mostly single pass welds, and welds with no preheat process.On multi pass welds, there is usually sufficient heat held in the weld area to allow for proper base material heating and good thermal conducting to allow a wider range of filler rod or wire thickness. Preheat also allows for better penetration and bond strength with a wide variety of filler sizes. But it is especially valuable when using smaller diameter fillers on bigger material.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:All you need is what many of us grew up with.A POCKET WELDING HANDBOOK.EBAY- http://cgi.ebay.com/Welders-Bible-Ho...#ht_1084wt_910It tells you many things like rod size for metal thickness,polarity preferred, How to run the rod.IT tells you many things and fits in your pocket.It is a real shame the welding supply stores and big box stores do not sell them.Northern tools DOES sell them.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 06-17-2011 at 03:34 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Simple. In a nutshell, the smaller diameter the rod,the colder you can run. All depends on how thick your metal is and how fast you want to weld.....
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomAll you need is what many of us grew up with.A POCKET WELDING HANDBOOK.EBAY- http://cgi.ebay.com/Welders-Bible-Ho...#ht_1084wt_910It tells you many things like rod size for metal thickness,polarity preferred, How to run the rod.IT tells you many things and fits in your pocket.It is a real shame the welding supply stores and big box stores do not sell them.Northern tools DOES sell them.
Reply:Passrd my welding test this morning, vertical, overhead, horizontal. Got offered the job of welder trainee and accepted it because i do need some work (im only 18, fresh out if highschool) after awhile they will work with me on pipe and send me to get certified.
Reply:Congratulations!72 Chevy Cummins Project94 3500HD Welding Rig build Sold NOV 2011
Reply:Good for you. Keep at it and make the most of the opertunity..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:Good for you.  Hope the best for you in your career Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:Forgot to mention ill also start out at 11.36/hr (good money here especially for a kid right out of highschool) with full benefits i.e. medical, prescription, vision, dental, 401k, retirement, life insurance, all that good stuff. But its alot different than any welding ive ever done. So its diffenently gonna be a new experince.Work minimum of 50 hrs mon-fri. And when weathers good they run 7 days a week, with each man getting one day off and working 6 days a week.Last edited by Weldin to live; 06-24-2011 at 01:50 PM.