Stick Beginner Bead Width ???

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I bought an old AC only tomb stone and finally got my 50A circuit in and my rain checked helmet arrived. Tried to run a few beads today. I have welded with O/A quite a bit so I know a little about puddles with a torch. Anyway, I was using 1/8" 6011 at 90 amps AC and the helmet was set at shade 12. I was just trying to get used to the equipment and see what happens. I'm having a little trouble striking a cold arc but I can work on that. I finally figured out I should turn down the helmet to shade 10 so I could see. Then my beads began to be OK  for a beginner, I think, except they are to wide and vary in width - 3/8" to 1/2" inch bead with an 1/8" rod. After I quit and thought about what I did with some coffee I think I mistook the slag for the puddle. I kept waiting for the puddle, slag really, to catch up to my electrode and it gave me the wide bead maybe ??? So, my question is when I go back for more practice to see if I can see the real puddle what size beads should I be making with an 1/8" rod when I have it right ? Thanks.
Reply:The bead width should be 2-3x the electrode diameter. So in your case, somewhere between 1/4" and 3/8." If you can, I would suggest buying some 6013 or 7014 for practicing. In my experience they strike and run much nicer than 6011 for a beginner, and they don't require a whip-and-pause technique like 6011. If you are not using a whip-and-pause technique with 6011, that could be your problem with your beads spreading out.1988 Big 50 Diesel CC/CV1982 Weldanpower 225/2101968 SAE 300 motor generatorMaxstar 200SD2015 AHP 200x"The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by g_manI bought an old AC only tomb stone and finally got my 50A circuit in and my rain checked helmet arrived. Tried to run a few beads today. I have welded with O/A quite a bit so I know a little about puddles with a torch. Anyway, I was using 1/8" 6011 at 90 amps AC and the helmet was set at shade 12. I was just trying to get used to the equipment and see what happens. I'm having a little trouble striking a cold arc but I can work on that. I finally figured out I should turn down the helmet to shade 10 so I could see. Then my beads began to be OK  for a beginner, I think, except they are to wide and vary in width - 3/8" to 1/2" inch bead with an 1/8" rod. After I quit and thought about what I did with some coffee I think I mistook the slag for the puddle. I kept waiting for the puddle, slag really, to catch up to my electrode and it gave me the wide bead maybe ??? So, my question is when I go back for more practice to see if I can see the real puddle what size beads should I be making with an 1/8" rod when I have it right ? Thanks.
Reply:Thanks to the helpful replies. It will take me a while to recognize the sound and sight of a good arc and learn when to move the current to a setting other than stated on the machine. A lot of experimentation and practice. I will try the higher current.My thinking on the 6011 is why not learn on what I will be using to start with. Most of what I will be doing is working on my  equipment rather than fab work. From what I have read 6011 is a good choice for that on an AC only welder. But maybe there is a better choice for a back yard welder ??gg
Reply:Originally Posted by g_manThanks to the helpful replies. It will take me a while to recognize the sound and sight of a good arc and learn when to move the current to a setting other than stated on the machine. A lot of experimentation and practice. I will try the higher current.My thinking on the 6011 is why not learn on what I will be using to start with. Most of what I will be doing is working on my  equipment rather than fab work. From what I have read 6011 is a good choice for that on an AC only welder. But maybe there is a better choice for a back yard welder ??gg
Reply:Originally Posted by g_manMy thinking on the 6011 is why not learn on what I will be using to start with. Most of what I will be doing is working on my  equipment rather than fab work. From what I have read 6011 is a good choice for that on an AC only welder. But maybe there is a better choice for a back yard welder ??
Reply:according to AWS spec 7018 is suppose to run on AC. but often many manufacturers sell rod made to better tolerate AC machines with lower open circuit voltage. open circuit voltage is what allows and or controls arc length..often hobby machines are made with lower open circuit welding voltage so the machine can be rated at higher welding amps. you get so many watts out of a electrical outlet. volts x amps = watts.lower voltage higher welding amps possible for same watts.higher voltage less maximum welding amps but easier to pull a long arc.some welding machines have a voltage and or arc force control. high arc force amps go up more with shorter arc. sometimes called anti stick feature. less arc force better for tig welding usually. i have used many lincoln industrial welders with adjustable arc force control. often though a machine just has just 2 settings. one for stick and other for tig welding.some small inverter welders can have high open circuit voltage but is can drop suddenly or fast that by the time you pull a 1/8" arc the voltage is already automatically lowered so much to prevent pulling a long arc. on a transformer welder often you can pull a long arc at high voltage for the most part as long as you want. it will maintain a high open circuit voltage..not much talk of inverter welders maintaining a high open circuit voltage for long durations, most will just say you cannot weld with 6010 rod with one which is sensitive to low open circuit voltage and wont allow a long arc with low voltage. it maybe be a inverter welder with high open circuit voltage is using a capacitor to boost voltage for short duration but capacitor can discharge very quicklyLast edited by WNY_TomB; 12-16-2015 at 10:40 AM.
Reply:OK thanks again. That is good info. I will try some 7018. I am pretty comfortable welding with my torch for 1/8" or less. Maybe I will learn to do better with the stick.These are the first three beads this morning. 1/8" 6011 at 105 amps, Up from yesterdays 90 amps. A ways to go.The bottom was the first one and felt right and is similar to what I got yesterday but is more consistent width wise and is 3/8". The next up I speeded up to try to make a thinner bead. I can see too slow a speed is not the problem. Then the top I tried to split the difference speed wise. This is on 1/4" angle so the first bead is over the web. Any suggestions welcome.
Reply:Originally Posted by g_manI bought an old AC only tomb stone and finally got my 50A circuit in and my rain checked helmet arrived. Tried to run a few beads today. I have welded with O/A quite a bit so I know a little about puddles with a torch. Anyway, I was using 1/8" 6011 at 90 amps AC and the helmet was set at shade 12. I was just trying to get used to the equipment and see what happens. I'm having a little trouble striking a cold arc but I can work on that. I finally figured out I should turn down the helmet to shade 10 so I could see. Then my beads began to be OK  for a beginner, I think, except they are to wide and vary in width - 3/8" to 1/2" inch bead with an 1/8" rod. After I quit and thought about what I did with some coffee I think I mistook the slag for the puddle. I kept waiting for the puddle, slag really, to catch up to my electrode and it gave me the wide bead maybe ??? So, my question is when I go back for more practice to see if I can see the real puddle what size beads should I be making with an 1/8" rod when I have it right ? Thanks.
Reply:In my line of work, just never seen much 60xx rods on the job. 7018, or self shielded wire were the norm.  But I played with some Hobart 335A 6011. Bent just fine. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Very nice demo CEP.  I assume you are saying use 6011 if you have to and it's ductability  should be OK ???
Reply:Originally Posted by g_manI assume you are saying use 6011 if you have to and it's ductability  should be OK ???