welding

welding

A quick reference for welding

6010

	All positions
	Deep penetration
	DC reverse polarity
	Rod is mild steel
	Application – use medium arc, whipping or weaving on vertical and overhead to control bead sag.

 

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	50 – 90	50 – 90	50 – 90
1/8	90 – 140	90 – 130	90 – 130
5/32	120 – 180	130 – 150	130 – 160
3/16	150 - 230	140 - 270	140 - 180

 

6011 (blue spot)

	All positions
	Good penetration
	AC or DC reverse polarity
	Rod is mild steel
	Application – stringer beads for overhead fillet, weaving for vertical and horizontal fillets.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	50 –75	50 –75	50 – 75
1/8	90 –140	80 –110	80 – 130
5/32	110 – 160	120 – 145	120 – 150
3/16	160 – 195	160 180	140 - 180
7/32	190 – 250
1/4	200 - 300

  

7018 

	All positions
	AC or DC reverse polarity
	Iron in coating good with AC and allows high current settings
	Application – use highest current practical in range, use straightforward progression and short arc, weld puddle very fluid.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
3/32	65 100	65 – 90	80 – 100
1/8	120 – 150	100 – 130	120 – 150
5/32	150 – 210	120 – 160	150 – 210
3/16	240 -280	180 - 220	240 - 280

7024

	High speed down hand or horizontal
	AC or DC straight polarity
	Best for horizontal and flat welding
	Application – use drag method or open arc (keep arc short), weaving may be used.

Diameter	Minimum amps	Maximum amps	Best amps
3/32	80	125	110
1/8	140	180	170
5/32	185	250	250

 

316ELC16

	Stainless, NiCr – for welding 316EL & 317 Stainless steels
	Use for high heat applications – i.e. Exhaust bellows
	AC or DC reverse polarity
	Application – any position, vertical – weld up.

Diameter	Flat amps	Vertical amps	Overhead amps
1/16	20-35	15 – 25	20 –30
5/64	30 – 50	25 –35	30 – 40
3/32	40 – 70	35 – 50	40 –60
1/8	65 - 100	55 - 70	60 –85

 

 1851

	For brass, bronze, copper and joining dissimilar metals
	Material must be clean
	Copper alloys must be pre-heated
	Application – all positions, vertical – weld up.

Diameter	Flat/overhead amps	Vertical amps
3/32	100 – 120	40 – 60
1/8	125 –160	65 -100
5/32	150 - 200	80 -120

 

Some other tips...

MIG welding

To get deeper penetration you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, decrease stickout, drag the torch, switch to straight CO2, use skinnier wire. 

To get shallower penetration you do this (in order of usefulness):
Reduce wirespeed, increase stickout, push the torch, switch to argon/CO2 mix, use thicker wire. 

To get a larger bead you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, decrease travel speed, increase stickout. 

To get a smaller bead you do this (in order of usefulness):
Decrease wirespeed, increase travel speed, decrease stickout. 

To get a higher, narrower (colder) bead you do this (in order of usefulness): Decrease voltage, drag torch, increase stickout. 

To get a flatter, wider (hotter) bead you do this (in order of usefulness): Increase voltage, Push torch, Decrease stickout.

To get a faster deposition rate you do this (in order of usefulness):
Increase wirespeed, increase stickout, use smaller wire. 

To get a slower deposition rate you do this (in order of usefulness):
Decrease wirespeed, decrease stickout, use larger wire.  

Note that when you change the stickout you change the current, so you might need to adjust the wirespeed to compensate. Same with changing wire size, obviously.