welding rod question

[dozer]

If you've never done much welding with the 7018, it's a whole different ball game than the others. You can't rush it, it takes time to burn.

the 7018 is perfect for structural steel but how old are the rods? Were they kept in an air-tight container? Has any of the flux begun to flake off? Do you have a rod oven? The smallest amount of moisture will wreck a low-hydrogen rod. If you're unsure, try running a bead with some scrap iron and see how it performs. If the rod isn't glowing in the dark and the flux doesn't turn to ash and fall of the rod when you strike an arc, they may be salvageable.

If they aren't any good anymore, the 6011 will serve your purpose better than the 6013. The 6013 does make a very nice weld but only under perfect conditions. They will trap slag a lot easier than the 6011. And you don't want slag inclusions inside the welds, it weakens the weld.

If I were in your shoes... Tack up with the 6011 and weld out with some good fresh 7018's. 3/32 on both. Keep your base metal clean and clean after each pass (if making more than one pass).

Have fun, wear proper safety equipment, hood with a good lens filter, fire extinguisher nearby and good luck!

I'm out of breath and I was just reading it! This is just a deer stand rite? Bailing wire and duct tape! J/K

[bowmech]

HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE DO IT!!!!.
That way you will not mess it up!!!
jk

[bowmech]

Or i can braise it for you with regular coat hangers, i'm good at that.........specially if the metall is rusty.:-)
Call me the king of patching rusting mufflers.

[Passthrough]

If you arent a hand at welding...stay away from the 7018. But you would figure it out pretty quick the first weld you made that wasnt a flat weld!! I see no reason why 6011 wont work just fine here...flat,up,down across or overhead!

[bowmech]

i have glued a lot of license plate to oxydized steel,i bet you i can glue a stand together with oxygen and acetylen, as long as i'm flexible with the oxygen.
Tubby, just kidding.

[Part-Timer]

Those 6011's and 75 amps should work just fine. They don't mind if the metal is less than clean! You may have to move faster on the 14ga. I build my own deer feeders out of 14ga using 6011's on 75 amps with a lincoln crackerbox, works well.

[Buckrider]

7018 never worked well for me but I don't weld with stick as much as I did with mig and tig. I use the 1109 rods...er I mean the 6011 rods (grins)

[trooperjd]

Hey guys thanks for all your responses. It has been about 10 yrs since I welded with a cracker box but have used both in the past. Ill give them both a shot and report back later. My wife informed me today that she would rather me go and buy another Double Bull or try a Rhino blind. I was in total SHOCK, so no weliding may be needed. She has hunted with me in the past and really likes my Darkhorse.

[Hogmauler]

3/32 6011 is my favorite rod for piddling. I noticed a lot of guys suggesting 7018 and while stronger they are much harder to weld with, especially verticle welds unless your used to it. I burned many rods as the welder for Cameron Elastomer Technology. 18 years worth. Stick with the small 6011 .

[smokeless]

Listen to Tubby, he knows his stuff. If you havn't welded in a while, start welding on some scrap beforehand. Welding with a mig and welding with a stick is two different worlds.

[boomer453]

6013 would be tough on that thin of a metal as it's a contact rod. 6011 would be the best bet. 75 amps and stitch it so it doesn't heat up too bad and blow through.

[muddydog]

Use the 3/32 6011 for what your doing. Since your not a professional, this rod will be easier to use in all positions.The 7018 will work, it is just harder to use than the 6011

[bowhntrmatt]

6013 is great if you have really clean metal. Otherwise, stick the.... Oh heck, just listen to tubby!

[buckwild17]

6011 is the way to go !! Don't over weld and get your hands on some tiger disk for the clean up !!!

[trooperjd]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses, I read every one of them. You guys always come thru. Thanks