Heat Setting

By caman Date 10-26-2004 14:19

I am going to build a hand rail for some outdoor porch steps. I will be using 14 gauge one inch square steel tube, a Lincoln 225 ac/dc welder and 6013 rod. What is a proper setting range for the welder on either AC or DC?
Thanks in advance for your help.

By RonG

Date 10-26-2004 15:29

You did not specify an electrode size.

Rule of Thumb (starting point) 1 amp for every .001" of filler OD. AC/DC. I suppose 39 Amps /MM.

Example: For 1/8" rod you would start around 100 ~125 amps, 3/32" rod / 90 ~100 amps and adjust accordingly to you conditions.

14 gauge is a little lite for 1/8" electrode so you would not want to use that much amperage. 1/16" (60 amps), 5/64" (80 amps) or 3/32" would be more suitable.

While 6013 is suitable for AC I feel DC will run smoother.

By 357max

Date 10-26-2004 16:32

Use a 5/64" diameter electrode at 35-60 amps or 3/32" at 40-90 amps of DC electrode negative for shallow penetration. Or, DC electrode positive if the tubing is welded to thicker, 1/8-1/4 inch bar stock for the railing itself.

By caman Date 10-26-2004 17:25

Thank you both for your guidance. As you can tell from the question, I'm new to this. All my welding so far has been on 11 guage with the directive to use a 6013 rod (just happened to be a 1/8), set the heat high enough to get an easy stike, but low enough not to burn up the metal.