Also wonderful when something falls in the ear, makes a bit of sizzle!! I try to use some type of ear plug if welding overhead or in awkward situations
Down the collar is another ( ricochet) or the glove. sooner or later one will get you nature of the beast.
Wait till you get a couple Flash's under your belt and your eyes feel like the inside of your wood stove! I actually was admitted into the hospital once for risidual flash, welding in a shaft space of a ship for 10 hours. I literally had sunburn of the eyes. they flushed them for 2 hours straight with a cold solution, then drops every 2 hours for a week.
Aw naw we can't go there....every once in a while my eyes will get dry and i get the wife to put some drops in, I can barely stand that...uggh makes me shudder... So if the 6011 is no "fun", what's a good general rod for farm type use?
I've had it twice...first time (years ago) I didn't know about the potato slice trick...then the second time I forgot about it...makes for a long night I'll tell ya that much!!
Either or in my opinion. 6011 is a little better but when your burning through paint, rust or God knows what else, it doesn't make much difference. Here's a quote from a welding training page; The E6010 has very strong points, and these strong points include its strengths, excellent penetration, the inherent capability to handle poor fit-up and rust, and its fast-freezing puddle. If you are just tyro in welding, you may find the 6010 very overpowering for it will be surely likely to throw plenty of spatters and sparks that could take you by surprise. It also gives off odiferous fumes, and if you fail to manage it correctly, it will burn through very thin materials. Moreover, you need to be an expert in the whip and pause motions to ensure that you can properly handle it. Whipping is important for effectively running root passes, and it is in some circumstances required based on the welding code. Another advantage of using E6010 is that it can run using less expensive welding machines that are not designed for E6010. This is possible because the E6010 makes use of arc stabilizers in its cellulose flux. This prevents the arc from unexpectedly dying.
I like the one all the way on the right. I can't remember ( and not because I am old ) the last time I actually used a stick welder , done a lot of it over the years but it's sure been a while. Mig , I do a fair amount of but not my #1 choice , it's like a glue gun for steel. Tig on the other hand is my choice anytime. Really like welding with it. Almost relaxing and nothing beats the appearance of a nice tig weld.
I literally just walked out of TSC with this welder! Clearence of $279.99. You can't beat this little welder for small things around the house. The reason I bought it is it (Plugs into 120V), The house. This will save me lots of time from dragging out my gas welder or the big boy on the trailer. Last year I looked at this welder and it was $379.99. They're clearing out the 125amp machines and going to 140amp. For what I need, this is perfect sometimes! Pics below.
Not knowing how many different rods there are, and what would typically be available, I searched online and used one of the closest Lowes as a gauge. Looks like they carry (or have a chance to carry) 6010, 6011, 6013, 7014, 7018, 7018AC, give or take depending on what size box etc. I "loaded more results" and they showed 7018-1, 7018-A1, 7018, 11018M, 7024, 8018-C3, some only shown in 50 lb boxes, and lots of those seemed to be by order. I had typed the above this am and didnt get to post till just now...
