Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey everyone, just bought a Chicago Electric 225AC stick welder(for messing with on my off time) and picked up some 1/8 6013 rods since I learned about the 7018 AC/DC issue. I know you get what you pay for and it was only 230.00 but I've never experienced arc pulses before. Striking an arc is no problem but after a few seconds into the bead the machine seems to "pulse" and I'll lose my arc for a second or two, then it comes back for a few more seconds before doing it again. Any ideas?

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I would check your connections on the new machine on the backside of the terminals make sure they're all tight nothings loose

You may have to switch to a smaller rod. I had to use a no name small buzz box to do a small emergency repair once and found I couldn't keep a good arc going for more than about half a rod with 1/8. Switched to 3/32 and it did ok.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say you're too cold. Run into this problem once in a while when the person doesn't turn it up to what I ask. Itll weld but it sits on top and is very easy to snuff the arc out. I get down from the lift or wherever I am and have to turn it up 15-20 amps and it runs beautifully.

My bad, forgot to mention I'm running about 125 with the 1/8 6013. Not hot enough?

I'd be hotter. AC requires you to be about 30% hotter than you'd use for the same rod on DC.

135-150A.

Give it a go, and report back.

Steve S

10 4 I'll give it a go

Ran one at 130, 160, then just below 200. Same problem. Acting like a bug zapper

I'm able to tie in okay and the beads end up looking fairly good but it can't be normal for a machine to do that

I also took the cover off and made sure all connections were tight, still no improvement. Does it on all heat settings.

The book said that it can only use 1/6 to 1/4 electrodes.

It sounds like you have "Chinese Machine Syndrome".

Harbor Freight has a no-questions-asked return/exchange policy. Go get another.

Steve S

Okay, new evidence: I swapped out the machine and had the same problem; HOWEVER, I found that the rods that come with the machine run like butter they are grey E6013 rods and I bought brown 6013 without the E in front. What's the difference?

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If I was stuck on a deserted island and was forced to us a Buzz Box, the ONLY rods I would use to maintain sanity would be MG-500's.......period.

WeirdoDrummer23 wrote:Okay, new evidence: I swapped out the machine and had the same problem; HOWEVER, I found that the rods that come with the machine run like butter they are grey E6013 rods and I bought brown 6013 without the E in front. What's the difference?

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Brand is the primary difference, and the different color suggests a different flux composition.

All the "E" means is "electrode", and using it is redundant, since it's written on the electrode.

Steve S

That's what's weird. They're both 1/8 6013. One runs normal and the other like jiffy pop. I'm glad it's not the machine but this kinda raises more questions than it answers

Try putting the "jiffy pop" rods in the oven at 250*F for a couple hours. They may be moist.

Failing that, throw them out and buy good quality rod.

Steve S