Welding rod/amp calculators

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Morning, I'm going to start using the little DekoPro welder - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07NWFB2S9/..._continue?th=1that I purchased after the "How cheap can you go " discussion.  I did a fair bit of welding and even took an evening course at our college, but all that was over 25 years ago. I'm definitely going to need refreshing and re learning on the topic . I'm starting out welding 3/16" general use steel rod(that's what the metal supplier calls it) to flat  bar of the same thickness. I know I'll have to play with the amperage and such. Could anyone suggest a good, easy to use rod for this? Also, I'm looking at purchasing the Miller stick/SMAW Calculator booklet. Would this be a good starting reference? Or is there something better available? Thanks in advance for your time,Ken(not sure what's up with the orange letters??🧐&#129488
Reply:I would use 3/32" 7018. Depending on your machine 75-100 amps, usually 90 is good.
Reply:Thanks for the info. I'll pick some up shortly.Ken
Reply:7018, 6013, 7014 are all good choices if you are just starting out. Don't bother with the calculator booklet. SMAW amperage is really dictated by two things: rod size and visual feedback from the puddle. It really isn't set by metal thickness at all. For example, if you are running a 1/8 7018 electrode, you generally want to start out at about 120-125 amps in the flat position. Every machine is different since no two machines read amps the exact same way. Start at 125 and either decrease or increase your amps until you get a puddle that looks right, and fills out appropriate for the travel speed you are maintaining. There are plenty of resources on the web that will teach how to read a puddle and determine if it is too hot or two cold. Then there are some basic rules of thumb to follow for welding out of position (e.g. vertical or overhead). But even then you will still adjust the heat based on what the puddle is doing. Because there is always inaccuracy in the ammeter or dial on your welder, you will almost never be able to dial in the amps correctly on thhe first try, even with or without the calculator. Every box of welding rod provides an operating range for amps. You can always use the midpoint as your starting value in the horizontal position.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by GummyMonsterMorning, I'm going to start using the little DekoPro welder - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07NWFB2S9/..._continue?th=1[/FONT][/COLOR]