Stick Welding DC Amperage

admin

I typically weld no thicker than 1/2" mild steel.  Would 160amps DC be enough?  I plan to use 6011 and 7018 rod.
Reply:yes with multi pass and 1/8 rods.millermatic 35      acdc thunderboltesab 2522 oxweld w-17 torchesesab plasma cutterspeedway fluxcoreold bug gas welderROLL TIDE
Reply:I don"t believe 160 amps will weld 1/2" steel in a single pass with DC stick. 160 amps will weld 1/2" thick steel with more than one pass.You should look more toward a 250 amp machine to be able to weld 1/2" thick steel with a single pass of DC stick.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I thought that for single pass welds on 1/2" plate (thats like 12mm for me) you will need to burn a substantial (thick) welding rod. Way above the 4mm rods I expect to be burning (at most) in my whole life.I always thought that for single pass welds you usually aim at using a rod almost as thick as the material you intend to weld... Anyway, multipass seems like the only way unless you go with a huge machine.Mikel
Reply:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...calculator.phpAs Mikel said, you would need to go to a substantially thicker rod with higher amps to weld 1/2" in a single pass.  A 1/4" 6011 rod is going to required somewhere between 210-315amps.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Thanks guys.  I will use multiple passes.  I only have a 30 amp 220V circuit in my garage.
Reply:With the power available on your circuit there would be no reason to go out and get a larger welder. You might find that with your 30 amp circuit you'll probably be limited to 125 to 140 amps for any length of time or you'll trip the breaker.Tough as nails and damn near as smart