Rod selection

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I've been searching for the last two weeks wondering what rods would be best for me to keep on hand. I have a lincoln AC/DC 225/125. Most of the work I'll be doing is on cars/trucks and trailers but also some misc stuff, so anything from 1/2"or1/4" plate to .120 wall tube. I feel like I need a deep  penetrating rod like 6011/6010, A mediem penetrating rod like 7014, then a low penetrating rod like 6013/7018. I've used 7018AC on a friends AC welder but didn't seem to like it as much, plus I don't want to have to worry about storing the 7018's. I've pretty much grew up using 6011 and, never thougth I need another rod. All these would be 1/8 or 3/32 rods.Any help would be great.I guess It sounds like I have my mind made up but jsut don't want to waste money with buying a ton of diffrent rods. But I guess thats how you learn.Last edited by Jackalope104; 06-20-2007 at 12:37 PM.
Reply:Can't have too many rods.  They WILL get used and then you'll KNOW what you and your machine both like, but I like your plan.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Can't have too many rods.  They WILL get used and then you'll KNOW what you and your machine both like, but I like your plan.
Reply:The vast majority of projects won't matter anyway.  Most weldment are overwelded just by human nature.  But your plan is certainly going to be stronger than average as well.  What types of things do you normally weld?
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702The vast majority of projects won't matter anyway.  Most weldment are overwelded just by human nature.  But your plan is certainly going to be stronger than average as well.  What types of things do you normally weld?
Reply:I never knew about putting down a root pass then capping it intell I got on this site 2 weeks ago.
Reply:I started using 6012 rods on the farm.  Yes, 6011 for adequate penetration  and digging out impurities, but then 6012 for the inevitable poor fitup cap pass(es).  It's a fill-freeze, all purpose, medium penetration rod that is run on electrode negative (straight) polarity which 6013 does not.I find its use not recommended often enough.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:I have the same set up and i always keep 6010 or 6011 which ever i find cheapest, and 6013.  Don't really need any thing else.  I do have some 7018 but thats just preference.  I feel that for some applications i need the added strenghth and elasticity.  I do recomend that you run all these rods on dc+.  my machine just feels better and has a more consistant arc on DC+.  I run 6013 and 6011 on DC+ all the time and get excelent results.Thats a great little machine you got there. You'll be super happy you spent the extra cash on the AC/DC model.  I've run everthing from Aluminum rods to stainless rods.7014's are good but they are hard to find and much more expensive around here.
Reply:Originally Posted by fordtrucksI have the same set up and i always keep 6010 or 6011 which ever i find cheapest, and 6013.  Don't really need any thing else.  I do have some 7018 but thats just preference.  I feel that for some applications i need the added strenghth and elasticity.  I do recomend that you run all these rods on dc+.  my machine just feels better and has a more consistant arc on DC+.  I run 6013 and 6011 on DC+ all the time and get excelent results.Thats a great little machine you got there. You'll be super happy you spent the extra cash on the AC/DC model.  I've run everthing from Aluminum rods to stainless rods.7014's are good but they are hard to find and much more expensive around here.
Reply:Originally Posted by 69 chevy...that is run on electrode negative (straight) polarity which 6013 does not..
Reply:You are correct.  My wording was wrong.  What I meant to convey is that the recommended polarity for E6012 is always DC straight, whereas 6013 swings both ways, straight or reverse.WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!