Am I nuts to prefer AC over DC SMAW?

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I don't know why, but lately I've been having smoother weld appearances everytime I use AC.  I know "THEY" say that DC produces a smoother arc; or once you go DC, you'll never want to go back to AC but....I just seem to be able to make nicer welds and i have less sticking when running ac only.  If I do use DC, I always drop the voltage down by about 10% when compared to AC.  AM  I totally screwed up?  Am I the only odd ball out there that thinks this way?I know my  buddy and mentor said he hasn't used AC since he was around  twenty something.  He's now 70.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I notice in your list of welders that you have an AC/DC "buzzbox". Is that correct ? What I think of as a "buzzbox"(Flat top) weighs about 100 lbs. while a "Tombstone"(round top) is 350 ish lbs. Anyway, I have a Lincoln 225 AC/DC "Buzzbox" and I'm not too impressed by it's DC arc and tend to just use AC with it. While I recently acquired a Miller Synchrowave 250 and the DC arc on that is awesome. So, I think the machine may very well be the difference.
Reply:While my same-model Lincoln has served me well, it's nothing compared to the two Idealarcs you just scored!Use one of those and the buzzbox will gather dust like mine is now doing. It's sorta portable and paid for itself many times, was worth owning, but I'd take an Idealarc or Dialarc in a heartbeat over it.My AC-225/DC-125's last weld was to make a rolling dolly for my Miller 340 AB/P.  I was looking for an Idealarc at the time, but TIG and "gross overkill" amp rating and the tiny cost (250 bucks!) ended that search promptly.Make friends with your "new" old welding machines. You'll see!
Reply:SuperArc, just curious, what electrode are you using? Brand, model, aws#, diameter?"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I prefer AC with certain rods (7024 and 6013) for it ability to lay a smooth bead when aesthetics are important.  AC also has some benefits over DC in regards to arc blow due to the alternating sine wave.  Sent from my DROID3 using TapatalkJay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manSuperArc, just curious, what electrode are you using? Brand, model, aws#, diameter?
Reply:Think it's been explained pretty well, but I'll add...No comparison of a "buzzbox" to a "real" stick welder like a Dialarc.If you want to take it to a whole new level (non-engine drive), fire up an XMT on DC.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:FARMALL..... That wasn't me that scored two IdealArcs.... I wish I had one. Craig's list, here I come.
Reply:AC is the preferred polarity for 6013, 7014, and 7024 (see Lincoln's data sheets). 6011's are a mess in either. For AC/DC buzz-boxes with limited DC output, AC is your only option for rods larger than 1/8". Most of my stick welding is 6010 and 7018 in DC, but I still use AC for the big jet rods.Nickel rods for cast iron and 3xx-17 stainless rods also run nicely in AC.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:6013 runs great on AC. But if you get a larger DC, like an Idealarc or Dialarc, like Sundown said, there is no comparision. 7018 just melts like butter and looks soooooo nice!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I use a crackerbox Lincoln for about 85% of my welding.  And I use the AC side of this machine for all "flat" welds, and some overhead horizontal welds.All uphill welds I use the DC side, with 3/32 Excalibur.  The machine is limited to 3/32 7018 when running DC.  It's maxed out to run 1/8.  Although you can run 1/8 uphill to some degree with the 1/8, it doesn't do well compared to my Ranger.  The Ranger produces a nicer, more authoratative, arc with few outages from drowning in the puddle when working overhead.AC rod is a good alternative, as mentioned before me, for beating arc blow.  It's also very good for short repetitive welds as the restrike characteristics are exceptional.  Lay it on the metal and weld, simple as that.I run 1/8 and 5/32 Lincoln AC 7018 regularly.  It's good stuff.A note about amps............  Run the 1/8 7018 AC at 135amps generally for 3/16 and above steel.  Turn it down to 120amps for 11ga.  It can be run at 150amps for thicker metal where you really want heat and speed.For 1/4" steel and above, use 5/32 rod.  Run it at a minimum of 175amps.  Don't DON'T try to make an exceptionally larger bead with this size.  Keep a good tight bead, and let the filler flow out a bit.  The main advantage to the 5/32 is the greater heat input, and deeper penetration, on thicker metal.  You'll see a bit more deposition, but don't expect to make huge fat beads.  Too wide a bead and you'll begin seeing cold toes, and porosity.5/32 AC 7018, at least in the Lincoln rod, is no longer available in 5lb packs.  It has to be purchased in 50lb cans.  (Which I had to do recently 110 bucks)Don't throw that old Crackerbox out with the bath water, it's still a good machine for most work.  Almost all of my stuff has been built with it.  Not saying I wouldn't like an Idealarc though"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:This looks like a smokin deal for anyone in Orange Countyhttp://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/2797856732.htmlMiller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Originally Posted by bigbThis looks like a smokin deal for anyone in Orange Countyhttp://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/2797856732.html