Question about electrode sizes?

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Just curious if practicing with the larger sizes will develop the same technique needed for the smaller. Somebody on CL has several hindered pounds of 5/32 7014 and 5/32 6011 for a $1/lb. I was thinking about buying some of each for practice and didn't know if time spent with those would be beneficial considering most any project I'd want to do would be on 1/8"-3/16" material.Thanks in advance.
Reply:Originally Posted by TomHJust curious if practicing with the larger sizes will develop the same technique needed for the smaller. Somebody on CL has several hindered pounds of 5/32 7014 and 5/32 6011 for a $1/lb. I was thinking about buying some of each for practice and didn't know if time spent with those would be beneficial considering most any project I'd want to do would be on 1/8"-3/16" material.Thanks in advance.
Reply:That's hat I was thinking, but that has gotten me in to trouble before. Since I'll need more practice material anyway, what size do you think I should look at? 1/4" or thicker yet?
Reply:I would practice with the rod type, size,and material thickness you will use most. It's easier to control a small puddle with 3/32 or 1/8'' then one a block wide. Some guys run stringers around threadolets instead of a weave, less metal to play with. I could see the larger rod if that's what you'll be working with. I don't think it's worth saving a few bucks.
Reply:7014 is a nice rod to work with. I have found that 3/16 is about the thinnest material you I to use vertical up on. $1.00 a pound is a good price if the rod is still in sealed packages.
Reply:What machine are you using, and what is its duty cycle?You are looking at 150 - 200 amps for flat, and horizontal welds. Can your machine handle much of that?On the other hand, we used to run 5/32 7018 uphill, just a tad hotter than the 1/8 rods, and if you learn to handle 5/35 uphill, 1/8 starts to feel like 3/32.To me, it was a whole different ballgame. Thought I'd never get it. Same with the fill rate. Once you get used to welding with 5/32, the bead with a 1/8 seems too small for the time it takes to lay it down.But, we were working on large tanks, where the plate was thick and the bevels were wide... if there is no need for greater fill rate, it doesn't make sense.Gotta add, I don't remember ever running 7014 uphill. If its iron powder content is higher than 7018, it may be even more of a challenge vertical.Last edited by geezerbill; 03-23-2014 at 10:50 AM.