Best SHTF stick electrode to stock

admin

So this might seem like a far fetched question for some, others wont think so. For fun, id like to get peoples opinion on what the best shtf stick electrode is? Pretend that the shtf is long term and we need to build something like the fence u see in the walking dead show (built better though lol). And obviously this is assuming we have a engine drive welder with gasoline or some form of electricity. Feel free to mention if u think a self shielded mig wire would be better.7018 would have moisture problems but runs real nice.6010 / 6011 might be hard for some newb to grab a stinger and help out, but would be great for burning through rust and paint because we all know the material wouldnt be perfect in a situation like that.6013? 7014? Not sure myself what would be best but lets assume were buying a few 50lb cans to stock long term. I would think it would have to be a "all position" rod too.Dynasty 200DX   (2014)Millermatic 211 (2015)Optrel 864   (2014)Smith Medium duty MBA 30510 (Xmas 2014)Tennsmith 16ga 4ft finger brake (2015)Trailblazer 325 EFI and excel Thermal dynamics Cutmaster 82Miller maxtron 450
Reply:store a little bit of everything. 6010, 7018, 309, ect
Reply:I can't puzzle out what "SHTF" stands for.   Any body want to help me out?
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortSo this might seem like a far fetched question for some, others wont think so. For fun, id like to get peoples opinion on what the best shtf stick electrode is? Pretend that the shtf is long term and we need to build something like the fence u see in the walking dead show (built better though lol). And obviously this is assuming we have a engine drive welder with gasoline or some form of electricity. Feel free to mention if u think a self shielded mig wire would be better.7018 would have moisture problems but runs real nice.6010 / 6011 might be hard for some newb to grab a stinger and help out, but would be great for burning through rust and paint because we all know the material wouldnt be perfect in a situation like that.6013? 7014? Not sure myself what would be best but lets assume were buying a few 50lb cans to stock long term. I would think it would have to be a "all position" rod too.
Reply:Do I have to pick one rod??  I really only stock 6011 and 7018. 7018 even not stored in a rod oven still runs great, and can't be any worse than 7014, so I no longer bother with 7014. There's not much difference in 6013 vs 7014, but keeping some smaller 6013 for doing sheet metal may be useful.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:i have been using 6013 lately as many are saying it is such bad rod. i found if you adjust welding technique it runs very good and i always get high quality welds with it that look good as welded without a lot of slag cleaning..most times people who have trouble with 6013 they are using a way too small a rod size for the job. for example i use 5/32 6013 to weld 3/16 and 1/4 thick steel. why people would even try using 3/32 or 1/8 rod is a mystery to me. when professionally welding boss wants welder to weld faster. the slowest rods like 6010 and 6011 can be considered easier just cause they weld so much slower. welding slow does not make the money
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortSo this might seem like a far fetched question for some, others wont think so. For fun, id like to get peoples opinion on what the best shtf stick electrode is? Pretend that the shtf is long term and we need to build something like the fence u see in the walking dead show (built better though lol). And obviously this is assuming we have a engine drive welder with gasoline or some form of electricity.Feel free to mention if u think a self shielded mig wire would be better.
Reply:I'd probably pick 6011.  Run AC or DC - could probably haywire some junk transformer to work if there was electricity to be had.I've heard good things about the Lincoln/Murex E6011C rods.  Used to be the AIRCO Easy Arc, hopefully still the same old recipe.For SHTF welding, get a pile of coal, some Borax flux, a hammer and an anvil."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:If the excrement truly hits the Emerson being able to weld something together will be the least of your concerns. For worst case scenario, start stockpiling oxygen and acetylene along w/ a lot of wire coathangers.                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI'd probably pick 6011.  Run AC or DC - could probably haywire some junk transformer to work if there was electricity to be had.I've heard good things about the Lincoln/Murex E6011C rods.  Used to be the AIRCO Easy Arc, hopefully still the same old recipe.For SHTF welding, get a pile of coal, some Borax flux, a hammer and an anvil.
Reply:In a SHTF scenario, I'd just get some Thai sticks. Doesn't weld but at that point, who cares?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Real SHTFCoal or charcoal and forge weld it.Get an acetelyne generateor that runs off of water and calcium carbide.Figure out how to generate ozygen from water - still needs electricity - then gas weld everything.Not very practicalI like 7018 and it's handy to have stainless rods for special stuff.
Reply:I would think a OA setup would be best in SHTF situation, but I've never tried welding with one myself so I'm not sure how hard it is.Wood Gasification tied into a engined powered welder would work, but I don't thing a gasifier is something you are going to throw together at the last moment.Millermatic 252Lincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate AC/DCHypertherm Powermax45
Reply:how big is the turd that hit the fan and how fast was it going???turd size,velocity and ingredients in said turd will have an impact on the best rodBlue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:Originally Posted by Michael rayhow big is the turd that hit the fan and how fast was it going???turd size,velocity and ingredients in said turd will have an impact on the best rod
Reply:Originally Posted by hwatkinsI would think a OA setup would be best in SHTF situation, but I've never tried welding with one myself so I'm not sure how hard it is.Wood Gasification tied into a engined powered welder would work, but I don't thing a gasifier is something you are going to throw together at the last moment.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumI'd probably pick 6011.  Run AC or DC - could probably haywire some junk transformer to work if there was electricity to be had.I've heard good things about the Lincoln/Murex E6011C rods.  Used to be the AIRCO Easy Arc, hopefully still the same old recipe.For SHTF welding, get a pile of coal, some Borax flux, a hammer and an anvil.
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortopen for ur interpretation lol. The idea is for med-long term, but use ur imagination.
Reply:my idea of a fan is a jet turbine engine and a proportional size turd to that would be devastating...it would make the 6pm national news for sure... just saying my imagination is different than most others
Reply:Originally Posted by CanoecruiserAdds a whole new meaning to the term "spatter". Heisenberg says you can know how fast it was going, or where it is, but not both.  I'll get out of the way thank you, physics be damned.
Reply:6011 and .22lrRyanMiller Multimatic 200 tig/spool gun/wireless remoteMillermatic 350P, Bernard/XR Python gunsMiller Dynasty 350, Coolmate 3.5 & wireless remoteCK WF1 TIG wire feederMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeOptrel e684Miller Digital EliteMiller Weld-Mask
Reply:What, no one has suggested stocking underwater welding rods?! .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:Spot welder?old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:6011 all the way. Any machine can run it (ac/dc, transformer/inverter) and it handles dirty metal better than most rods. Lets face it in a shtf situation you're probably not going to be dealing with clean new metal.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:I find that a lot of the cheaper 6011 don't run AC very well at all.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welderOriginally Posted by CanoecruiserIf the S really hits the F, I'm thinking the "3 F" rule applies.....FoodFuelFirearmsThen we'll talk about welding.....