[Zach_T]

All I've got right now is a Lincoln AC 225 and I picked up some 7018 AC rods and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on them are they the same or Is there any difference?

[AKweldshop]

7018 AC will work awesome on your 225, buy a 50 lb box of it, and grab some 7024 and 6011.
burn like mad
Have fun.
good luck
John

[Zach_T]

I just ran a few and can't see the puddle forming like when I run 7018 on dc is it supposed to be like that or am I doing something wrong I'm running it at 120 amps

[MinnesotaDave]

ZachT - 120 is colder than I would run 1/8" 7018 on AC. If the metal is 3/16" and above I'd run about 135 amps or so.

Very short arc, flux scrapes the metal lightly most of the time.

I run them around 130-135 on DC as well if the metal is thick enough, and I'm not vertical up.

AKweldshop - not running down 7024, but I find 7014 more useful for general, around the house, welding.

[Zach_T]

ZachT - 120 is colder than I would run 1/8" 7018 on AC. If the metal is 3/16" and above I'd run about 135 amps or so.

Very short arc, flux scrapes the metal lightly most of the time.

I run them around 130-135 on DC as well if the metal is thick enough, and I'm not vertical up.

AKweldshop - not running down 7024, but I find 7014 more useful for general, around the house, welding.

Thanks Dave!

[AKweldshop]

Dave, why should Zach not buy some 7024 I find it very easy to run and looks nice
Yes, you will need to run hotter than dc 7018 - 135 to 145 should work nicely in the flat
Keep a nice tight arc and about a 45 deg' drag should work nicely
good luck
John

Might post a pic or 2 of your beads

[lazerbeam]

When practicing, never hesitate to crank the amps up or down to see what effect it has on the bead. That way if you weld on a different machine, you will know if it is right when you light up. Welding too cold makes everything so much harder and if you are too hot it is very easy to tell.

[MinnesotaDave]

Dave, why should Zach not buy some 7024 I find it very easy to run and looks nice
Yes, you will need to run hotter than dc 7018 - 135 to 145 should work nicely in the flat
Keep a nice tight arc and about a 45 deg' drag should work nicely
good luck
John

Might post a pic or 2 of your beads

Didn't say he shouldn't, but can't use them for vertical or overhead so they are kind of a one trick pony.

7014 is more versatile of the two. Personal preference is all.

On rod angle, mine is nearly 90 degrees - personal pref again. However, the closer to 90 degrees, the deeper the penetration.

[lazerbeam]

Rod angle is not really personal preference. You should be 5* to 15* off of 90*. If you are going to keep 7018's warm and dry then there is really no use to keep 7014's and not much use to keep 7024's unless you need to deposit a large amount of weld metal in the flat or horizontal fillet position.

6011 and 7018ac should be your go to rod for most situations.

[AKweldshop]

I did not mean to say, buy tons of 7024.

I'm sure Zach's gonna be working in the flat position a good amount of the time.

10 lb of 7024 will be fun.

So buy 10 lb of each, 6011, 6013, 7014, 7018 AC, and 7024

All those rods will burn good on AC

Good Luck

John

[lazerbeam]

For sure, buy or borrow a few of all the rods mentioned. These rods will cover you for most of the mild steel welding that you will run into. The one rod you can't use is the 6010 but you can use 6011 and get by just fine.

Remember that they all have characteristics that may make one preferred over the other in certain situations. If you start to fabricate something keep arc characteristics and penetration in mind.

A lot of stuff has been built with a Lincoln AC tombstone.

[Tombstone]

7018 AC will work awesome on your 225, buy a 50 lb box of it, and grab some 7024 and 6011.
burn like mad
Have fun.
good luck
John

I wish I could find 7024's in 10lb containers. I've only seen it in 50lb tins at my LWS. I prefer to buy small batches when needed. 7024 is like trying to find a living dinosaur.