arc welding electrodes

[dobre]

What arc welding rods are you using at the moment and why. EG are they easy to use or cheap to buy and easily available. What ever the reason let us all know the type and brand of welding electrodes that you are using at the moment.

[herbs]

I don't even know what brand mine are, they're cheapy Chinese ones, they get the job done though. Question is, is it worth getting 'name brand' electrodes such as WIA and CIG items?

[dobre]

The quality electrodes are pricey and the benefits are noticeable. When doing welds that need to be of high quality and strength the good brand names is what you will only use. If you compare them to the cheaper chinese ones you will notice the difference. The cheaper ones will be a bit more difficult to start up and the slag tends to bond to the weld metal and therefore a bit more difficult to remove. Dont get me wrong the cheaper rods do work ok and will hold together fine and suitable for those jobs around the house/farm. The same argument is with welding machines-pay a bit more and have better quality.

[herbs]

Yeah that makes sense, I might go a bit more upmarket the next time I buy rods and see how it compares.

[dobre]

Listed below are some commonly used welding electrodes and this guide will give you some ideas of which electrode is most suited to your welding job/project. For a good price purchase them from your local welding store.

CIG & WIA WELDING ELECTRODE GUIDE.

SATINCRAFT 13
Features
• General purpose Rutile type electrode with all positional welding capabilities
• Smooth mitre fillet welds with LOW spatter
• Blue flux for easy identification
• Smooth running AC or DC

Applications
• Suitable for welding mild or galvanized steel such as gates, door frames, tanks, pipes and home projects

GP 6012
Features
• Versatile general purpose electrode for all positional welding of thin and mild steel
• Smooth running AC or DC

Applications
• Suitable for mild steel plate, sheet metal, galvanised iron sheet, ducting, tanks, pipes and low pressure pipelines

FERROCRAFT 12XP

Features
• General purpose ‘XP’ (extra smooth performance) electrode
• Versatile with all positional capabilities
• Red flux for easy identification

Applications
• Suitable for all positional fillet welding of steel furniture, plates, fences, gates, pipes and tanks

WELDCRAFT

Features
• Rutile, basic type electrode with high radiographic qualities and excellent mechanical properties
• High quality AC or DC all positional (except vertical down) electrode

Applications
• Suitable for on-site and workshop welding such as pressure vessels, ship building, bridge and storage tank fabrications

FERROCRAFT 11

Features
• Cellulose pipe welding electrode for high penetration welding
• AC or DC all positional electrode

Applications
• Suitable for root, hot fill and capping pass welding of pipelines, pressure vessels, storage tanks, workshop and field construction

AUSTARC 12P

Features
• Easy starting, smooth running, all position mild steel general purpose electrode
• Extra arc force and fast freezing slag required for vertical down welds
• Ideal for 'one electrode shops'

Applications
• Suitable for use with general welding, trailer repairs, galvanised steel, farm equipment, tubular steel and wrought iron work

AUSTARC 13S

Features
• Very popular blue and white striped, mild steel general purpose electrode
• Ideal for welding down hand and vertical positions
• Easy to use for less experienced operators

Applications
• Suitable for use with general welding, trailer repairs, galvanised steel, wrought iron work, tubular steel and sheet metal work.

AUSTARC 16TC

Features
• Unique twin coated, low hydrogen, smooth running electrode
• Suits all welding positions - except vertical down
• Excellent operator appeal
• Low spatter levels
• Excellent edge wetting and easy to remove slag
• Grade 4 high quality weld deposits with exceptional weld toughness and crack resistance

Applications
• Suitable for use with pipe welding, maintenance/agricultural applications, structural steel/construction, mining/earth moving equipment and highly restrained joints