Newbie - No idea what electrode to use

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HiI'm completely new to welding.I've gotten myself a Lincoln AC-225 arc welder.I'm going to be starting on a go-kart frame shortly, so I'm just practicing now, and trying to find out the right settings to not burn a hole in the tubing and get deep enough penetration.I am working on ERW steel which is 1" x 1" x 0.065"Can anyone recommend a starting electrode (type and size) and amperage setting, and any other guidance?ThanksMarc
Reply:IMO for what its worth, me just being a hack welder at best, 1/16 inch steel tube is very difficult to weld with basic ac stick welder. If you do 1/16 inch electrodes down about 20 to 40 amps depending on what settings you have. welding downhand as much as you can to keep the dig as low as possible. Also just weld short bits at a time and backstep to help control heat, bu that is going to make for a lot of stoping and starting and cleaning.I am sure it can be done, but it would be like pounding #4 screws with a sledge hammer.110 volt wire feeder will do that job a lot better and produce a beter looking product a lot quicker.Last edited by Timberwolf; 10-08-2008 at 11:23 AM.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:It has been recommended here that people start learning with a gas torch, which is what I did years ago. That allows for learning puddle and heat control with all that goes with it. Since you've just jumped in with an AC stick welder, I would suggest that you:1)  go to a library and check out some good welding books, then study them a bit;2)  buy a copy of the Lincoln Procedures book;3)  get 5 or 10 pounds of E6010 and 6013 to practice with, and start welding on scrap metal until you can  consistently do well.That should be a good beginning.
Reply:like oldiron said--learn some gas welding   ..with an ac welder you will do better to try 6011 rod than 6010...
Reply:The AC welder you have will make it very diffacult to weld thin tubing because the6010 and 6011 rod is a deep penetration rod.6013 can be run AC or DC. It is a medium penetration rod.There were women workers that built aircraft frames using this rod. Use a 1/16 diameter rod.If you can use a .095 wall thickness tube. Your project will be much easier.Make sure you use the proper technique for joining tubes to each other ot to a plate.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:..with an ac welder you will do better to try 6011 rod than 6010...
Reply:i find 6011 ac   makes a nicer bead and starts and restarts easier for me than 6010 dcep. but it is a controversial area, welding, get 2 people talking  and you'll soon have 3 opinions...
Reply:For thin material like what he was talking about for the go cart frame 6013 is more suited anyway. Also easier to find in 1/16 rod.Does anyone here weld 1/16 material with stick. I did a little bit before I bought a mig, it was ok running down hill with a backer, but not very good otherwise. Could be done joining short beads, but I would not feel great about it for anything structural, hard to prevent over or under penetration in places.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:I always thought the 7014 gave the prettiest weld when I was using only AC. I used to buy a lot of them from Lowe's - Lincoln.
Reply:true, 7014 would be a good option too for a light penetration rod,, easy to run,  think I have seen it in 1/16 in tractor supply or another box store. A little more strength too over 6013.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:I have welded exhaust pipe using 1/16 6013, just got to take your time and do it in sections.EdEdKing
Reply:Use the smallest diameter 6013 you can find 1/16" or 5/64". They market small 9" long "easy strike" 6013 for the little 90 amp buzzboxes - that's probably your best bet. I would use a different process if at all possible. Thinwall tube is NOT easy to stick weld. If you can make the frame from 1/8" wall you will have a much easier time welding it together with the equipment you have.The rule of thumb I was taught: Your electrode diameter should not exceed the thickness of the metal you are welding. 6013 is the only commonly available electrode that skinny.-Matt------------------------------------------
Reply:6013 IS a sheet metal rod.  It can be a "fast follow" or "follow" rod.  Made to run downhill on sheet metal.Thin stuff is tough with stick.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I grabbed the thinnest 6013 electrodes from home depot, 3/32"Practiced a bit on the thinwall tubing and it seems to be working ok, although I don't have the expertise to know how good of a weld i'm doing.
Reply:To test your weld quality weld a test section and try breaking it. For instance joining tubes together the joint needs to fit correctly and slightly bevelthe edges. the metal should be CLEAN. Use a 60-100 grit blue flapwheel on your hand grinder. The grinding wheel is too rough for just cleaning up the surface.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:I've been working on a project recently using 6013 DCEN on 1/16" square tubing.  Its definatly hard.  I find 6013 dead easy on bigger material, and most of my welds on this stuff are terrible.   I love the material so it seems worth learning, but it hasn't been as easy as I hoped.
Reply:Originally Posted by hexbinaryI grabbed the thinnest 6013 electrodes from home depot, 3/32"Practiced a bit on the thinwall tubing and it seems to be working ok, although I don't have the expertise to know how good of a weld i'm doing.
Reply:If you dont have any cold lap, no holes, and you have a slightly convex weld, you got her. With that welder on thin tube, forget about penetration. You will have an excess of it. I personally would buy 6011. 6013 has to much flux. 6011 isnt pretty but shes stout.
Reply:I've learned to do thin stuff with 1/16" 6013.It is definitely not easy, and if you can set up downhill passes it is better. I don't use AC unless I have to, last time was a magnet frame with a 24"x24"x10" permanant magnet in it. The arc blow was unreal.. I run the 6013 DCEN. I posted some pics a while back of a paper thin gravely deck that I patched up with the stick welder."Smashed Gravely repair" Not real pretty, but it's still cuttin' grass.