sticking electrode

admin

What causes a electrode to stick? I was using a new 6011??? package said "great for rusty metal, smooth and does not stick, for AC or DC....I was on DCEN about 120 amp. and this thing stuck everytime i would try to start a arc, tried a different rod, same thing. New machine (for me anyway) I must be doing something wrong.....
Reply:What size electrode you running?  I'm guessing 1/8th, but if you happen to be running 5/32, you're too cold.  Are you scratching to start, or kinds just hitting it?  If your hitting it don't do that, scratch it.  Also,  I'd be running dcep.  And one other thing, if you're welding rusty metal, grind alittle spot for you're ground... Happy welding.
Reply:Ditto on DCEP.  Also, did you clean the base metal.  Just because the rod specs are dirty, rusty, painted material, doesn't mean proper preparation shouldn't be done.  CLEAN is important in ALL welding operations.
Reply:Hey I had some of those damm "sticking" electrodes when I started welding.  I got so frustrated I almost gave the welder back to my neighbor.  The other guys probably have it covered, though I think maybe 6013 is a smoother rod to learn with.  Keep practicing and soon you'll be able to "scratch" start it and have limited sticking.   Let us know how you do.
Reply:In addition to what has been stated.  Check every connection.  Make sure all is tight and corrosion free.
Reply:Like everybody said, scratching works best to start the arc.At 120 it shouldn't be sticking too much.  Usually higher amps starts better.What works for me is to scratch the thing, get an arc going and hold it kinda high off the metal, then bring it down to where you want it.  The long flaring arc doesn' t deposit hardly any metal(mostly just burn marks), and allows time to find your ideal arc length.  And if you're using a fixed shade, it allows you time to see where you actually want to weld, then you can bring the stick into the joint.I think after you get used to it, you'll find yourself holding a very short arc, and it'll feel like your touching the metal with the tip of the rod."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/