Subject: Welding advice

From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 07 Jun 1996 10:12:05 -0500

I've finally got a Lincoln arc welder in my shop and have been trying 
to learn how to use it. My problem is learning to strike an arc. Every 
time I do this the rod sticks and I have to remove it and start again. 
Anyone got any advice on getting this down? I am working with 6011 
rods 1/4 inch diameter. Think I had the welder set at about 75. Would 
also appreciate advice on when you use different type and diameter 
rods. I was told to try the 6011 for stuff that is kind of rusty, 
which would apply to most of my stock, but had no clue as to what 
diameter to use. In comparison to my success withthe arc welder, forge 
welding seems easy! 
-- 
Jim McCarty
Father Helias Forge
Taos, MO
Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds

---

From: "Steven O. Smith" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 96 9:42:27 MDT

Dear Jim,

First, my experience: not much.

> time I do this the rod sticks and I have to remove it and start again. 

When the rod sticks too much, I raise the current. It may not take
much, 5-10%. If there is too much splatter and sparks, I lower the
current. I don't know if this is the way welders do it, just what
seems to work ok for me. Most of the time I'm using 7018 with reverse
polarity DC. 

> I am working with 6011 rods 1/4 inch diameter. 

I think you are referring to the OD of the rod, including the flux.
The measurement that counts is the diameter of the metal core. 1/8"
would be typical for many jobs.

> Think I had the welder set at about 75. 

Sounds awfully low for material with any thickness. You could probably
weld 1/8" or 1/4" thick metal with care at this current.

> Would also appreciate advice on when you use different type and
> diameter rods. I was told to try the 6011 for stuff that is kind of
> rusty, which would apply to most of my stock, but had no clue as to
> what diameter to use. In comparison to my success withthe arc
> welder, forge welding seems easy!

The usual answer--practice! Run beads on a piece of scrap; first
north-south, then knock off all the flux and go east-west. 

--
Steven O. Smith
[email-masked]