Which rod for a beginner?

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My Stickmate 235 is due in in a week and a half.   Unfortunately, I still have a week off and I'm impatient to start so I think I'm about to buy a cheap 110 welder and start practicing starting an arc and maybe throwing down a bead or two.  I can't wait for class to start either so I'm jumping in with both feet.Which rod would be a good one to start with?  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:Don't waste your money on the cheap machine. Get some 6010 and 7018 to burn with the Stickmate.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:I agree. Small inexpensive 110v machines aren't worth the hassle. They are hard to strike and the max amperage that they will put out limits you to 1/16" or 5/64" rods on average. Those are whippy and hard to use well. Even then those rods on;y work on thin material which makes it had to learn well. You won't gain anything but frustration from a cheap machine.Better end ( $350+) 110v machines are a bit better as they can usually handle most 3/32" rods, at least at the lower end of their range. However I think that's probably more money than you want to spend on something like this. Your Stickmate makes a small machine like this redundant other than for light weight portable work.7014 is a good starter rod. 6010/11 runs different and many need a bit more hood time before they can run it well. 7018 is a good one as well, but cheap box store 7018Ac rods are often hard to distinguish the slag from the molten puddle. You need decent rods like Excalibur 7018's I believe to do well..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:7014 if it's a ac machine and 7018 if its a dc machine
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugDon't waste your money on the cheap machine. Get some 6010 and 7018 to burn with the Stickmate.
Reply:As a beginner years ago, I started with brazing rods, and then graduated to coat hanger wire as a filler. But this was with O/A welding. Then I proceeded to learn stick welding.
Reply:1/8" 6013 sure makes a pretty bead when ran flat. Flux is super easy to remove also.
Reply:Originally Posted by Pipeliner1/8" 6013 sure makes a pretty bead when ran flat. Flux is super easy to remove also.
Reply:7014 is my vote. drag the flux lightly on the plate and don't have to worry about arc length. it can almost run itself. Easy to strike and restrike, and will get your feet wet.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I picked up some hobart 1/8" 7018 yesterday for my first and started playing. Strikes easy, but thats about all i can make of it as im a newb too. Im more curious about amps vs stick size vs material size. Thats a brain teaser for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by brendonvI picked up some hobart 1/8" 7018 yesterday for my first and started playing. Strikes easy, but thats about all i can make of it as im a newb too. Im more curious about amps vs stick size vs material size. Thats a brain teaser for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauAs a beginner years ago, I started with brazing rods, and then graduated to coat hanger wire as a filler. But this was with O/A welding. Then I proceeded to learn stick welding.
Reply:Skip the 110V machine and buy yourself a couple  GOOD grinders.You will soon realize that having more then one grinder is a real time saver.   Last edited by Billdacat; 12-29-2014 at 07:39 AM.
Reply:Im curious why most recommended the 7014 rod over the 6011 rod for a beginner?  what does the 7014 have over the 6011?..Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbIm curious why most recommended the 7014 rod over the 6011 rod for a beginner?  what does the 7014 have over the 6011?..
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeHigher tensile strength weld and a much more visually appealing bead and less spatter.
Reply:Im curious why most recommended the 7014 rod over the 6011 rod for a beginner? what does the 7014 have over the 6011?..
Reply:Thankyou....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:I second the thank you!  I'm not known for my patience, but I am stingy so I'll hold off picking up another machine and buy some tools and such instead with my hard earned and about to be retired dollars.I've signed up for a stick class at the local community college so I'm way stoked about beginning to learn a little more about welding.  I currently own a MIG welder and am considering taking all three classes (stick/mig/tig) over the course of the next few months, although I'm considering skipping the mig class since I am somewhat familiar with it.  My main reason for taking a class is that I believe a good teacher is worth their weight in gold.  I will likely never become a professional welder like most of you here but I do want to learn a new skill that will help keep me busy over the next few years.The 110 welder I was looking at was from Northern Tool and did double duty as a TIG welder as well.  At under 2 bills it was very affordable in comparison to the dedicated units I've seen.  Like I said, I don't plan to compete with any professional welders in my community by any means.  I am more of a hobbyist I guess.  My MIG welder is a Norther Tool as well and it's been a great unit for me.  Durable, and fun to work with.  I was hoping this 110 stick/tig unit would be in the same category.  I appreciate the honest input from everyone here on the board.  Thanks again.
Reply:Here's the 7014 video....fast forward to 2:00 into the video   Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:And here, he does an entire project with 7014Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:what do you think of Forney brand welding rods as far as quality...?Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:I have never used Forney rods. My all time favorite is a tie between the Hobart 7014 and the Lincoln Excalibur 7018Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbwhat do you think of Forney brand welding rods as far as quality...?
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbwhat do you think of Forney brand welding rods as far as quality...?I would get some 1/8 6010 and 3/32 7018.  Assuming you have a DC machine, I think there good rods to learn on.
Reply:3/32 Lincoln Excalibur 7018. About 85-90 amps. Get some 3/8th mild steel and start stacking beads from the bottom of the plate to the top.HF 98233 Stick/TigHF  95136 PlasmaEastwood TIG200Eastwood MIG250Damn, I cut it twice already and it's still too short!