I just got a Lincoln 225A AC welder to do my SAS on my S10. I know all about DC rods because thats what I use everyday in my welding class but what types of rods do I need for the AC machine for this project. I bought some E6011 which i think should be an AC version of the E6010? and i got some E6013's, and a bunch of E7018, which on the box said E7018AC, i thought a 7018 was a DC rod but it says AC on the box so im assuming i can use them with my welder? Since the 6011 is supposed to have deep penetration I thought of using them for my filler pass on the joints, then using 7018 rods to go over that since they have a higher tensile strengh. This will all be 1/4" mild steel like for crossmembers, and I will also be welding on new steel spring perches on my axle tubes for SOA and I was told the tubes were just mild steel, that only the diff housing was cast, and im not welding on the housing. Any advice or tips will be greatly appreciated.

I have an old AC Lincoln 225 that I wouldnt take nuthin for. Great welder. As far as rods I primarily use the 6011 for everything you describe you are wanting to do. Only time I really use the 7018 is for a cap to make the welds look nice and slick. IMO you will be fine with what you have.....

HTH

First off, everything will weld AC. It is just harder and the welds are not as strong or pretty.


I would use a 6011 root and 7018 to cover over it.

i used 7014 for everything from my exo to the 4link, i used some 6011 to fill gaps and holes in tubing/pipe that werent a tight fit. throw the 6013 away unless your doing downhand sheet metal welds...

I like 7014 for AC work also.

I will be doing some sheetmetal and thin metal welding, this welder is for everything, not just my SAS. I tried to find some 7014 rods because thats what i wanted at first but i couldnt find any.

If I am right, the 6011's are better for dirty metal, but if the metal is very clean, 7018 or 7014 is a better rod to be using correct?
Just wondering, never welded with anything but 6011 before, and I am probabally going to be welding on a new front spring hanger here very soon.

6011 or 6010 is going to be deeper penetrating and yes can be used for dirtier metals. But, can be used for clean too.

7018 does not penetrate as deep but, has a higher tinsile strength. Also, it MUST be stored in a dry and warm place and must be used within 90 minutes of coming out of that environment.

right, because its a low hydrogen rod, but in my welding class book it says you can leave a 7018 out for 4 hours before its considered "ruined"

Originally posted by 92 S-Dime
right, because its a low hydrogen rod, but in my welding class book it says you can leave a 7018 out for 4 hours before its considered "ruined"


Even when left out 7018 is not "ruined" just in need of reconditioning, with 1 hr at 600F satisfactory for 7018. The holding time on low hydrogen rods is influenced greatly by composition and atmospheric conditions – holding time in cold and humid conditions is greatly reduced from a hot and dry situation.4 hours is too long even in ideal conditions IMO. 7018 is going to be the best choice of the mentioned rod for any structural work.

well, ruined was a bad word choice, i have left 7018 rods out in my welding booth in class for over a week and used them and they worked fine, but thats what the standards are for the bla bla bla x-ray code junk.

Originally posted by 92 S-Dime
well, ruined was a bad word choice, i have left 7018 rods out in my welding booth in class for over a week and used them and they worked fine, but thats what the standards are for the bla bla bla x-ray code junk.

They might have appeared to work fine, but using atmosphere exposed 7018 pretty much defeats the purpose. AWS E7018 H4R classification allows maximum atmospheric exposure of nine (9) hours per AWS D1.1-2002 and four (4) hours per AWS D1.5-2002 but in practical applications one hour max. All I weld is "bla bla bla x-ray code junk" because that is where the $$ are.