6011 or 6013 rod

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I just joined the forum and have a question about AC rod. I am basically a hobby welder and need some input on which rod is best and easiest to run--6011 or 6013. I am retired and collect old garden tractors. I have a Hobart 140 mig I just purchased and love it for light metal but will be doing some heavier metal which I will be using a Lincoln 225. Thank you in advance for any help, Nicky
Reply:If you want an electrode for heavier steel of the two choices you gave the 6011 is what I would use. 6013 doesn't penetrate much but produces a better looking weld and if you prep the joint will work just fine. The 6011 is going to let you fill gaps easier and is more forgiving with surface prep (grinding/cleaning). If I was stuck with only AC I would find some AC 7018, 7018 is what I use the most and it has superior mechanical properties vs the 6011/6013. Any of the choices would work though.  The 6011 is going to have the most spatter, so keep that in mind.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Maybe I will try some 7018 next trip to the welder supply. Thank you
Reply:Be sure to tell them AC 7018Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:7018 is only good for horizontal welds though. I use the heck out of 6011 on almost everything. Messy, but a good all purpose "farm rod", lolHome hobbiest:Build all sorts of BBQ pits & smokers (trailer & non)Lincoln 225 Cracker box (antique)O/P torchRedneck tools out the a$$.They get me by!
Reply:Originally Posted by JSmitty747018 is only good for horizontal welds though. I use the heck out of 6011 on almost everything. Messy, but a good all purpose "farm rod", lol
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPug7018 is an all position electrode.
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPug If I was stuck with only AC I would find some AC 7018, 7018 is what I use the most and it has superior mechanical properties vs the 6011/6013. Any of the choices would work though.  The 6011 is going to have the most spatter, so keep that in mind.
Reply:Originally Posted by JSmitty74Really? Is it 7018 DC I'm thinking of?
Reply:Originally Posted by copeFor a hobby weldor, 7018 is a problem.  How many hobby weldors have a rod oven?  7018 left out of the oven loses it's properties.I would only buy it in small quantities as needed.  IMO, 6011/6013 and maybe some 7014 would be all the OP needs
Reply:No, I've tried 7018, and were just hard to use. Didn't do good at vertical at all. Maybe the "1 time" I bought a box of them (tractor supply), they could have been bad. No telling how long they were on the shelf, lolBut, when I did start running a bead, it sure was prettyHome hobbiest:Build all sorts of BBQ pits & smokers (trailer & non)Lincoln 225 Cracker box (antique)O/P torchRedneck tools out the a$$.They get me by!
Reply:But back to the op's question, I'd go 6011 (out of those 2 choices)Home hobbiest:Build all sorts of BBQ pits & smokers (trailer & non)Lincoln 225 Cracker box (antique)O/P torchRedneck tools out the a$$.They get me by!
Reply:Have both  6011 and 6013 on hand ,  different rods , different uses .  My old century ac  don't like 7018 of any flavor at all , but it will go to town on 6011 and 6013 .  When i am on the century buzzbox  i tend to tack things up with 6011   and then  run beads with 6013  where possible  because it makes a nicer looking weldment .
Reply:Originally Posted by nickyI just joined the forum and have a question about AC rod. I am basically a hobby welder and need some input on which rod is best and easiest to run--6011 or 6013. I am retired and collect old garden tractors. I have a Hobart 140 mig I just purchased and love it for light metal but will be doing some heavier metal which I will be using a Lincoln 225. Thank you in advance for any help, Nicky
Reply:Follow Minnesotadave's advice, buy small quantities of each (6011, 6013 7014) at Tractor Supply/Menards or Lowes. Try them doing different repairs, you'll then start to understand why and when one fits better than the other.
Reply:I use regular ol Lincoln 7018 and they run fine on AC. Only done it a handful of times when arc blow got too crazy. Just a little more spatter and the slag is a little harder to get off.
Reply:I should also add I rarely use 6011, mostly 6010 and 7018. I keep a lb or 2 of 6011 on hand for when I drag my inverter to the field and run off gen power. And i never, ever, EVER use 6013. To me they're the worst thing you can do to a work piece. I drag my little argon bottle out in the field and hook up my scratch start torch. Or lay tack over tack with 6011.
Reply:Heres the 7018 I use. The preform great on vertical up.
Reply:I think if you are just starting out, go with the 6013. It is easier for a beginner to run than 7018 or 6011. Just lightly drag the flux on the metal to be welded and all you have to pay attention to is rod angle and speed of progression. 6011 requires a little more arc gap (you can't drag it, so that means there is another variable for you to control), and it does a lot better with some motion (a whip or a step or a zig zag). That will give you yet one more variable to master. You are better off with 6013 to start with. Fewer variable to keep track of. And if you are just learning and practicing, penetration doesn't matter (6011 penetrates more than 6013)Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by swampwelder13I use regular ol Lincoln 7018 and they run fine on AC. Only done it a handful of times when arc blow got too crazy. Just a little more spatter and the slag is a little harder to get off.
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininFollow Minnesotadave's advice, buy small quantities of each (6011, 6013 7014) at Tractor Supply/Menards or Lowes. Try them doing different repairs, you'll then start to understand why and when one fits better than the other.