ac or dc

[migg]

New to welding.
Welding farm equipment, sometimes thick pieces up to 1". AC or DC? Is the amperage always about the thickness of the rod no matter AC or DC?

 

[brightspark]

New to welding.
Welding farm equipment, sometimes thick pieces up to 1". AC or DC? Is the amperage always about the thickness of the rod no matter AC or DC?

whats the welder mig or stick ?? and current in amps

 

[shenion]

I prefer DCEP as it is cleaner and supposedly better positional.

Check the box of rods, usually says DC+/- or AC and the current range.

As for current the size of the rod sets the current within a range.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi Migg, AC vs DC it's horses for courses really as most rods will run on both.
Machine wise, in my opinion DC is nicer to use, it tends to have a smoother arc than AC.
All rods have a suggested current range, the bigger the rod, the higher the current needed to strike and maintain the arc so therefore the bigger the machine needed.
If you're looking at 1" thick workpieces then you're looking at prepping the joint and using a big machine with big rods and multiple passes.

 

[Bsmith]

DC especially if using low hydrogen rods (which would be better for 1" thick), although lo hi's will run on ac with a high OCV.
Migs are DC.

 

[asmeix6g]

DC is the better more refined current. and as Bsmith said you can use LO HI's. yes technicaly you can use them with AC with a high OCV but just get a good DC set. 200 amp should be sufficient you can burn 4mms well with that. and you wont really be using any rods bigger than that.