80 amp inverter welder

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I bought one of the little Harbor Freight 80 amp welders and have really enjoyed using it. But I have a few questions. We've been using Lincoln 3/32 6013 rods primarily, which really lay down a nice bead. I tried Lincoln 6011 but they are much harder to start an arc with and the welds look like chicken you know what. I thought about trying 7018 but I hate to buy another box if the welder won't handle it.I guess it's obvious that I really don't know much about the machine's capabilities or welding. At $99.00 it's an impressive welder though and weighs 8 lbs. My question for those of you who stick weld at around 80 amps is this, what rods do you think this little machine run? Or should I just stick with 6013 since they work well.
Reply:Lincoln 5/64 6013 work even better.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:80 amps is usually at the bottom of the range for most 7018 in 3/32", so it would be questionable if they'd run well. If the rods are old or damp, you'll have even more issues, since the performance on 7018 rods tends to drop off when that happens. Smaller rods, like 5/64" or 1/16" that run at lower amps usually would be your best bet on that machine..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:Thanks Jack and DSW. I think I'll try the 5/64 rods in 6013. Haven't seen that size locally but I'll find them. I've had a lot of fun with this welder so far.
Reply:You can find them online.  Just Google "5/64 6013."I usually use my Miller Mig, but here's a thread about how handy it is to have an 8-pound welder sometimes.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:I know this is kind of an old post so this goes for anyone with the same problem. I have been using and owning one of these 80 amp arc welders from harbor freight for about a year now just tinkering around and i had the hardest time starting and continuing an arc with the Lincoln 3/32 E6011 but after i replaced the cheap rod holder it came with, with the 10 dollar 200 amp red and black rod holder from HF starting and continuing the arc with the Lincoln 6011 would be a lot easier came out a lot nicer too.   I think there might be a lot of resistance in the rod holder it comes with, since replacing the rod holder had such a positive impact on the welder im feeling confident that replacing the cheap ground on the welder would help a lot too.Just my experience with the welder, hope this helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by TherealmccoyI know this is kind of an old post so this goes for anyone with the same problem. I have been using and owning one of these 80 amp arc welders from harbor freight for about a year now just tinkering around and i had the hardest time starting and continuing an arc with the Lincoln 3/32 E6011 but after i replaced the cheap rod holder it came with, with the 10 dollar 200 amp red and black rod holder from HF starting and continuing the arc with the Lincoln 6011 would be a lot easier came out a lot nicer too.   I think there might be a lot of resistance in the rod holder it comes with, since replacing the rod holder had such a positive impact on the welder im feeling confident that replacing the cheap ground on the welder would help a lot too.Just my experience with the welder, hope this helps.
Reply:Well i was near harbor freight today and figured i would stop in and pick up that 200amp stinger and change the one that came with the unit since it was junk. So i changed it out and i am very impressed now. I was never able to get 3/32 7018 to work on this machine before so i figured i would try it now with the new better stinger on it. Im impressed that this little machine could run it. I used 1 year old hobart 7018 NOT from the oven. Ran pretty good on this machine! I do not stick weld much at all.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:That's awesome. I was having a horrible time with lincoln 3/32 6011 on my identical machine. HORRIBLE!It layed old 3/32 6013 with absolute ease, I picked up the 6011 for root passes. Maybe it's time to switch up the stinger.Anyone got a decent one kicking around?
Reply:I'll have to try that harbor freight 200 amp stinger now!  I put the $10.00 brass heavy duty ground clamp, from harbor freight on my 80 amp welder, and it seemed to help with 3/32 6011 rod.
Reply:I modded my ground clamp with some 4g wire I had laying around