Rod Question...

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Hi.The practice welding has come along well enough for me to weld-up the frame for my gen-set.  I've practiced on the same material that the frame will be made of and have used 6011, 6013 and 7014 rods.  I can feel and tell the differences between them and can get good results with all of them. So far, 7014 is my favorite.  I'm not sure which type of rod would be best and am asking for some tips.The material is all A36 hot-rolled and is either 1x2" tube (20 ga) or flat-stock (1/4").  The frame is a rectangle about 3x4' and need to support the 400lb gen-head and 250lb diesel engine.My guess is that for this basic task, any of the rods would do the job but I'm wondering if the common wisdom out there says one in particular would be preferred.  Any tips would be appreciated.ThanksRayPS:  I've cut the posts for the engine mounts and the sides for the frame.  I test assembled it and everything is nice and square.  -Keeping my fingers crossed it's still square after it's welded-up.Last edited by Ray C; 09-16-2010 at 11:30 PM.Reason: included material thickness.
Reply:For general purpose work with mild steel (a36) any of those rods will work just fine. Use the one you're most comfortable with.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:I cannot imagine using a 6011 or even a 7014 on 20 ga. material. That's very thin stuff for a deep penetrator like the 6011 or a higher amp rod like the 7014. You guys may be a lot better than I but I would blow right through that 20 ga with those two rods. I would use the low amp, shallow penetrator 6013 on the 20 ga and either the 6011 or 7014 on the 1/4", whichever you choose. JMOStephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:The 20ga will be tough no matter what rod. I'd suggest you go with the smallest rod you can find, probably 1/16". The smallest I usually keep on hand in 7014 is 3/32" and with a bit of practice I can probably make that work, but it will be a bit of a challange especially for someone who's new to stick. If you haven't already bought the material, do yourself a favor and get some heavier metal, say 14ga or 11ga / 1/8". It will make your life easier.With the 1/4", I'd run the 7014 if thats the rod you run best, but as said any of those rods would do the job fine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by goinssrI cannot imagine using a 6011 or even a 7014 on 20 ga. material. That's very thin stuff for a deep penetrator like the 6011 or a higher amp rod like the 7014. You guys may be a lot better than I but I would blow right through that 20 ga with those two rods. I would use the low amp, shallow penetrator 6013 on the 20 ga and either the 6011 or 7014 on the 1/4", whichever you choose. JMO
Reply:It's occurred to me that I may have mislead folks...  When selecting the materials, there were two gauges of tube-stock.  I purchased the thicker of the two and its just a hair short of 1/8" at the center.  I may be mistakingly calling this 20 ga as that was one of the possible selections.  For some reason, 11 ga is sticking in my head but, but that seems to be a very strange number. I'll check the receipts and report back in the AM.  Sorry for any confusion.
Reply:"1/8" is the nominal size for 11ga. (actually my chart lists 11ga as .1196" for sheet steel) 20ga would be less than 1/16" (16ga =.0598 or roughly 1/16" for easy remembering) 20ga would be .0359 or between 3/64" and 1/32".No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by Ray CAhhh, glad you said that... -Thought it was my imagination... I noticed that 6011 really digs in so I cut back the amperage a notch and move a little swifter when welding the 20ga (which appears to be just short of 1/8").  The only time it's blown through is when there were some irregular edges and there was a gap between the two parts.
Reply:This chart might help you the next time you purchase materials. Attached Images
Reply:OK... I checked the receipt and it was indeed 11ga.  I had the wrong number in my head when I posed the message.  -My bad.Thanks for all the suggestions, information and charts...  I'll be welding this up later today and tomorrow (assuming it doesn't rain like it did yesterday) and I'll post some pictures along the way.