I first have a small 110 amp AC-DC stick arc welder but later also bought a small flux-core gasless 90 amp welder, now with 0.03 inch flux-core wire.
My main use of welding is in conjunction with making stands and jigs for woodworking,( mostly 1/8-3/16 inch thick angle iron and sheet metal about 1/16" thick), but occasionally for a small trailer I need to have reliable structural strength.
Do I have to have at least 3/32 E6011 for better penetration for structural strength for working on my trailer, also 1/8 to 3/16 thick mild steel? I now have 5-lbs of 3/32 E6103, will this do for welding for my trailer or is the penetration of E6103 not enough?
Also, under what situation is 0.035 wire decidedly better?
Thanks
You don't have to have E6011, but it doesn't hurt if you want to hunt for the most depth-of-fusion. For reliable structural strength, I'd suggest E7018 rods, 3/32", but it also depends on how much power you have available (110A is more than enough for 3/32"). E6013 is, like you said, low-penetration. To ask if it is adequate for welding your trailer is a loaded question, because it forces us to assume about [at least] 10 different variables with regards to the actual weld to be done. Yes, the devil is in the details. Being vague, ambiguous, or otherwise too generalized in your inquiry, while surely not intentional on your part, will only have others wildy guessing as to what you actually going to weld. For example, a low cyclical-stressed part could potentially be welded with E6013. Other parts like suspension points, tongues, etc, perhaps not the best idea, unless proper prep is taken into consideration.
Your 90A flux core wire welder will prove inadequate for anything over 1/8", more than likely. Very few 120V gasless flux core welders can actually take on 3/16" on a standard 20A circuit.
0.035" gas-less flux core can handle a higher amperage than 0.030". If you need to make T-fillet welds over 1/4" in throat-depth (assuming the power is available), then 035 might be a better choice, but that that point, you're likely running over 180A.
Your 90A flux core wire welder will prove inadequate for anything over 1/8", more than likely. Very few 120V gasless flux core welders can actually take on 3/16" on a standard 20A circuit.
0.035" gas-less flux core can handle a higher amperage than 0.030". If you need to make T-fillet welds over 1/4" in throat-depth (assuming the power is available), then 035 might be a better choice, but that that point, you're likely running over 180A.
my take on this,
grab the fluxcore welder, throw it in the bin and use the stick welder.
most of them are simply crap, hard to dial in well and end up with poor results. you could get a decent mig and use flux core wire on that and be able to dial it in well and do decent welds.
but the stick welder will work fine.
6013 is fine for general purpose stuff. tons of trailers have been built with it. most trailers are generally over welded.
as for low penetration i think thats not quite correct. i've seen charts that describe 6013 as being on par with 7018.
i think what matters is what rods you use. there is a HUGE range of 6013 rods. every thing from welding panel steel (no doubt where the low penetration comes from) right up to pipe welding.
its probably a case of what industry used them the most and it got its reputation from that.
of course mig has taken over for car repairs and low hydrogen has taken over for structural applications.
however no reason you can't run 7016 or 7018.
grab the fluxcore welder, throw it in the bin and use the stick welder.
most of them are simply crap, hard to dial in well and end up with poor results. you could get a decent mig and use flux core wire on that and be able to dial it in well and do decent welds.
but the stick welder will work fine.
6013 is fine for general purpose stuff. tons of trailers have been built with it. most trailers are generally over welded.
as for low penetration i think thats not quite correct. i've seen charts that describe 6013 as being on par with 7018.
i think what matters is what rods you use. there is a HUGE range of 6013 rods. every thing from welding panel steel (no doubt where the low penetration comes from) right up to pipe welding.
its probably a case of what industry used them the most and it got its reputation from that.
of course mig has taken over for car repairs and low hydrogen has taken over for structural applications.
however no reason you can't run 7016 or 7018.
tweak it until it breaks
isn't that "Timmy ! !" LOLOscar wrote:very well said tweake! Your screen name reminds of me South Park, a "TV show" here in the USA.
yes we do get it on this side of the world. tho don't watch it much these days.
tweak it until it breaks
3/32. 7018 will run well at 75-85 amps. Just plan on running multiple passes. The thickness of the metal welded will become irrelevant at this range as long as you grove out the joint to get full penetration.
I have more questions than answers
Josh
Josh