Product Review: HF 1/16" 6013 electrodes

[MTNGUN]

Since Santa hasn't seen fit to bring me a MIG welder yet, I picked up some 1/16" 6013 stick electrodes from Horror Fright, item #96812-1VGA, about $6 for a two pound box. I've used it for several sheet metal repair projects, mostly automotive, that I might not have been able to do otherwise.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/96800-96899/96812.gif

Here's one example. It's a light fixture for a snowplow. The stamped sheetmetal mount had cracked all the way around. The sheetmetal was rivited to the plastic light housing, so oxy welding would likely set the plastic on fire. Why not try the 1/16" stick ?

45 amps DCEN, moving the bead pretty fast to avoid burning through, so the bead is incomplete in a couple of spots, but it'll suffice, and it was much cheaper than a new light fixture.
http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr235/mountainmolds/plow_light_weld.jpg

[radkins]

Those little rods certainly are handy to have around, have you tried 7014 in 1/16"? I like them better and they seem to be a lot easier to make a neat bead with, for me anyway.

[torker]

Good post MNTGUN! Anyway to skin a cat!
Never hurts to "trick" out your welder anyway you can.
We just did a portable job today that I couldn't have done without 3/32 6010.
Radkins...good call on the 1/16 7014... I gotta try some of that...if I can get it in this place...
Russ

[radkins]

Believe it or not I get those 1/16" rods (Lincoln) at Wal-Mart of all places! They actually have some light duty welding supplies in the automotive department, 110 volt flux core welders, tips, 2 lb rolls of flux core wire, gloves, helmets and even a little AC "buzz box" to burn those small rods with. :)

[MTNGUN]

I haven't tried 7014 in any size, but maybe I'll pick up a box. It's available from HF, item #96813-3VGA.

Torker, I didn't comment on your other thread because it had become a pretty big thread, but I know what you are going through. Been there, lost everything, and had to start over from scratch. I look forward to seeing you get through this so you can spend more time goofing off here ! ! !

[Bguns]

I have run waaay too much 1/4 in 7018, and Build Up, and Hard Face... Feels like I am running a Cigar...

Had 400 amps to play with too...

Must be nice to stitch up sheetmetal with a SMAW rig :)

If ya got it, use it :)

[mark61]

At work I repair/ build up worn machine tools- lathe mostly- with 6013. Used to get me those 1/16" now I am stuck with the 1/8" and the tool grinder bitches all the time about "too much weld". We use the 6013 cause it heat treats properly after remachining the insert pocket and grinding.

mark61