Fun with a cheap stick welder

[Janderso]

My wife Lisa said she married me because I _wasn't_ a farmer. Then she started turning me into one (I didn't protest overmuch) . Learning to weld is just part of that progression! Once I get somewhat proficient, one of the first things I want to make is a set of forks to attach to the front loader. They look like they could be handy for all sorts of things. And Lisa has pointed out some trellis designs I "should look at".....

I didn't get any 70XX rod to try because it's been my impression that it's sensitive to moisture. Living in western Oregon we tend to get a lot of that there moisture. I see you live in Bremerton so you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I have a toaster oven I bought specifically for tempering home-made springs and hardened alloy steel. Is it OK to dry rod out in an oven heated to ~200F or so, then use it to weld? If so, I'll add 7014 to my library.

The last few weeks My wife and I stayed in Amboy, near Woodland and Fort Stevens, Seaside.
Man, what beautiful country.
The vivid green growth, healthy trees and crisp clean air, wild flowers galore.
I know you pay for that with drizzle and rain but we Northern Californians sure did enjoy it.
I want to go back.
Around Roseburg it started to dry out heading south.

 

[General Zod]

Not sure if this rule applies to dc but for ac the thickness of the rod dictates the current
for example 1/8" rod = 0.125" = 125 amps approximately
When you master the art of welding you'll feel like a bunny flying first class with a bow tie:

That rule works very well for non-cellulosic electrodes.

For cellulosic electrodes, from my previous use:

3/32" 6010/11 usually work from 40-80A on DCEP, 6011 about 5A higher if on AC.
1/8" 6010/11 usually work well from 50-100 on DCEP, 6011 about 5-10A higher if on AC.

For other basic/rutile electrodes, ~1A per 0.001" of rod diameter then works very well.