SMAW Question

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I just picked up a little 220 stick welder of undetermined origin. The thing runs great. Now the question. What rods for what applications?  My welding career has been all MIG (aluminum, stainless and carbon steel) so I'm kinda at a loss as to what rod is "the best" for job X.
Reply:im not big on smaw myself, but i know alot of guys here use their favorite rod for just about everything they do. some use 6011, some 7018. so long as its not a code issue, i think most people will say pick a good general purpose rod and get to know it.search around a little bit and youll see some pros and cons about the more popular general purpose rods. (i think that i usually use the 6011, but its rare i stick so im not certain)
Reply:I like 6013 for my general purpose. I like it primarily be cause it uses lower amperage than 7018.  I weld a lot of 1/16" and 1/8" steel.  Slag  come as easily as 7018.  Since you beginning to learn stick welding it would be a good rod to begin with.  I use 3/32" rods mostly.I stick weld more than mig.  I only mig weld when building rails.  6013 runs a bead as nice as any mig.  However when short welds are needed then there lots of restarts don't look good.  Short welds like those found around 1/2" balusters.  6010 or 6011 are good though not as fine a bead.  They penetrates much better than 6013.  I think it is an easy rod to run though losts spatter.  Slag removal more difficult.
Reply:I use 7018 for most of my applications..... I'll use 7024 if I need the hi deposition... 6011 for open roots with 7018 hot passes and caps...._________________Chris
Reply:Is this machine AC only or does it have DC?  Makes all the difference.
Reply:I started out with "all purpose" rod.  Then I started repairing equipment and things like that.  So I just learned to use 7018 and stuck with it.  Nice stuff.  The All purpose rods have good uses and are not ruled out, but for the things I do, the 18 is fine.  It more depends on the job and your machine.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks for the input guys. I've run 6010, 6011 and 7018 on this machine and like the 7018 the best.