3.2mm SIP E6013 Rods...

[Muggins the Mug]

Yesterday, I got a small pack of SIP 3.2mm E6013 rods. This was to do some more practice beads on a quarter inch steel plate. The Impax IM-MIG 120A welder can run upto 120 Amps (claimed), so I tried a rod on that setting.

Unfortunately, it kept sticking at the first few attempts. It also managed to trip the breaker on the fuse panel. So, I turned it down to 110 Amps, which seemed to make it run much better and didn't trip the breaker.

The successful bead it the long curved one, at the top of the image.

 

[BrokenBiker]

thats more like it.

the sticking could be a few things...most of the time its a settings issue. i tend to notice inverters without hot start want to stick more than anything else, my dads ancient 90 amp buzz box starts like a dream compared to my tig welder.

you will get a feel for the welder though and get a knack to starting them. i tend to run a 3.2 between 110-140 depending on the rod, the joint, how much rust im trying to burn through etc but 110 isnt a bad setting for flat plate. once you get good at starting them, turn it back up to 120 and see if the breaker goes again.

 

[Craig-S]

mmmmm i wanna get some rods to try stick out

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

i tend to notice inverters without hot start want to stick more

+1 for the above...my Paton can start and restart without ever sticking. My old welder was a lot more difficult.

If you are restarting a rod then it's worth cleaning the end so it's bright steel...bit of sand paper does the trick and helps a lot.

Anything over 4mm and I use stick instead of my 200a mig. Just seems to be a lot easier and more predictable....well done on those welds too.

 

[BrokenBiker]

+1 for the above...my Paton can start and restart without ever sticking. My old welder was a lot more difficult.

If you are restarting a rod then it's worth cleaning the end so it's bright steel...bit of sand paper does the trick and helps a lot.

Anything over 4mm and I use stick instead of my 200a mig. Just seems to be a lot easier and more predictable....well done on those welds too.

little flick of the wrist as soon as the weld is terminated usually does it for me, but be ware, it will flick a molten glod of flux across the workshop so try not to point it at anything flamable...like people...or the neighbours cat

 

[frank horton]

There will be other makes but I can only buy Oerlikon rods here....Never a problem with either my buzz box 160amp or the 225 amp oil cooled Oxford....
15 euro's per packet, 5kgs I think, any size...2.5, 3.2 or 4mm....
As for restarting a used rod I just go for it, no cleaning required.....
no idea on amperage...the buz box the needle cant be seen and the Oxford is under the bench and gets adjusted by feel......

 

[Muggins the Mug]

I miss my old Aldi buzz box, but I don't miss the inefficiency.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

I had half a rod left over from yesterday, so I decided to use it up today.

The long weld from top left is at 110 Amps, same as yesterday. It did stick a couple of times, but wasn't too much of a problem.

The second and shorter weld on the top right, was at 120 Amps. There was no sticking and it didn't trip the circuit breaker, this time!

 

[aesmith]

As a beginner I didn't like SIP rods, they were the only rods that I've had stick mid weld.

I found "Magmaweld" much easier to use. Just mentioning that brand because there are Ebay sellers offering them in small quantities, I'm not suggesting they're better than Bohler etc.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

As a beginner I didn't like SIP rods, they were the only rods that I've had stick mid weld.

I found "Magmaweld" much easier to use. Just mentioning that brand because there are Ebay sellers offering them in small quantities, I'm not suggesting they're better than Bohler etc.

When I had an Aldi AC buzz box, I couldn't stand them. I don't know if something has changed with the SIP ones since or because it's an inverter welder, but it's far better than before!

I've got some 2.5mm E7018s coming from eBay, for me to try...

 

[trigger3]

120a on a 120v circuit ? some machines have really wild claims

 

[bourbon]

120a on a 120v circuit ? some machines have really wild claims

we are 240v in the UK

 

[BrokenBiker]

When I had an Aldi AC buzz box, I couldn't stand them. I don't know if something has changed with the SIP ones since or because it's an inverter welder, but it's far better than before!

I've got some 2.5mm E7018s coming from eBay, for me to try...

I would expect the 7018 to stick more and generally be harder to start. I'm sure your welder only has around 65ocv which will run them, but ideally wants to be a bit higher for smooth starts

Edit, just found the specs, 69OCV

 

[BrokenBiker]

120a on a 120v circuit ? some machines have really wild claims

Where did you get 120v from?