Amperage by rod diameter or base metal thickness?

30 amps seems very low to me. 80 amps even seems a little low, but then I very rarely run 6013 and extremely rarely run AC. I think trying it at around 80 amps would be a good place to start, but I personally wouldn't hesitate trying it a little hotter too.

Grant

Try it at 65 amps AC to start. Thats right in the range I run 3/32 6013 on my Dialarc 250

Gunner

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Theodore Dalrymple,

The amperage rule is applied differently to stick welding than TIG welding. It is applied to the electrode diameter, not the base metal thickness.

1/8" welding electrode = 1/8" wire = 0.125" = 125 amps midrange. You can go from 20 amps colder to 20 amps hotter, or 105 amps to 145 amps. 3/32" = 0.094" = 94 amps, or 74 amps to 114 amps.

You rarely run electrodes in the higher range, but you can if you must.

The most practical range for a 3/32" electrode is 75 to 95, and for 1/8" electrode, 105 to 125.

Thanks for the information, guys, it is all very helpful for me.

And Ernie, thanks for setting me straight WRT the rule of thumbs there; it makes a whole heckuva lot more sense now.

Jon

The amperage required will also change based on the type of rod you use. A

1/8" 6010 runs at around 85 amps, where as the same size 7024 needs closer to 160 amps. So for stick, it's the rod size and type that are the major factors in setting amperage.

Here's a document from Miller that includes a chart for amperage range for different size and type electrodes on page 9: