Hi guys..
60xx sires rods (6010-6011 etc) are spray arc rods, they do exactly that through the welding process, they are designed to penetrate into the joint and violently deposit metal via a spray, they also blast out contaminants and trash and really don't care how clean the joint or surface is, you can weld rust if you want.
This rod is perfect for any position because of the spray action, in fact it makes this rod unique, its meant to fill gaps, it should be cleaned up with a grinding wheel to get rid of the in-bedded stubborn slag deposits and re coated or capped with a Low-Hy-rod (70xx sires), the 60xx sires rod will leave splatter everywhere in the shape of little balls and they go everywhere so shield your area to stop this splatter.
You apply this rod by a whip or drag action when filling a gap, you hold your molten pool then whip about a quarter inch then come back to the pool area that is now solid and just repete. if your hole wants to solidify and fall or explode just whip the rod away and let the area cool. A nice trick to this rod is think of the length of the rod as a garden hose, where ever you point the end of the hose water will spurt out in the same direction you point it, spry arc do exactly this.
when no gap is there you can just lay the rod at a 30Deg angle from horizontal and let it deposit the metal, your crown will be high but with a perfect speed and heat the bead can look like a row of penies laying on top of each other, for a 1/8 rod 70-75 amps is perfect. This rod can be stored in a barrel of water and used wet the rods will work perfectly, the flux is tougher than dog snot, its nick name is Junk-Yard rods but really its an unfair its the first course or (root) for every major carbon steel pipeline in the world.
70xx sires or Low-Hy rods are for filling (area) and capping (last deposit) 7018 is the most common but all are similar in welding techniques, it too is an all position rod but applying it is slightly different to the 60xx sires, this type is called Globular Arc, what happens is the end of the rod instantaneously balls up into a molten ball and needs to be deposited, it all happens so fast it appears to be always liquid, here you lead the rod, by that consider it like a pen full of ink, your rod is the pen and the ink is the molten metal you want to apply to the joint, once the arc has been struck you lay your metal on the joint and just lead the rod and let the metal flow from the end where you want it.
Watch the pool of molten metal it will spread out because its liquid, if your too slow is will just splay out and look ugly, if your too fast it will look like moose tracks, play with this rod on a horizontal surface first to get the hang of it, if your filling a joint that is angled you really should stack it, apply a run on the bottom first then apply another bead on top of that, it can be done by weaving but to a beginner it will tear you a new one.
This rod needs to be dry and warm if possible, water or moisture in the flux will sole destroy you so keep them clean and dry.its ten times easier to weld with a 3/32 rod than a 1/8 for a beginner, believe me i have seen 20 year vets in welding work twice as hard not to use 1/8 rods, its all because of the amount of metal being applied in time and heat.
all in all these are all you need to know about these rods, for everyday use they will all you will ever need for carbon steel.
One last piece of advice, apply your efforts to learning TIG welding, its not hard and with todays technology and prices its the only way to weld.
Hope this helps.
Anthony.
