Rod Selection Question For 1/4" Steel

**speers90** · 12-07-2011, 05:00 PM

In the next couple of weeks I will be starting another smoker build, I will be taking my time with this one as I am trying to make this one look great. On my previous build I used 1/8" 6013's, I noticed on the forum that there are quite a few comments about it not being a very deep penetrating rod.

I will be using 1/4" steel and 20" diameter schedule 10 pipe for my build, is 1/8" 6013 sufficient or should I try something else. I have been using the 6013 at about 90 amps. This will be a patio smoker, do I need to worry about getting deeper penetration?

Ryan

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

Forgot to mention that I have a Lincoln 225 AC machine.

**Bluesman** · 12-07-2011, 06:44 PM

6011 for for first past and u can shore it up after you clean those welds with a 1/8 7018. I only used 6013 on patching the holes on my 1/4 tank because I wasn't at first trying to get a deep weld, but in the end I eventually had to use 6011 becaause the 6013 weren't penetrating enough and the patches were cracking. I wouldn't have attempted to use the 6013 on any part of the structural portion of mine cause it is going to be heavy and needs strong welds.

Some may suggest 6010, but if they do keep in mind that 6010 is for DC and won't work worth a dang on a AC machine.