6011 for pipe practice?

[Grinding- wheel]

I'm looking at two new machines. I need a mig, my buzz box does not run well on my dryer plug. So I'm looking at a multi process. Specifically the ESAB EMP Rebel 215ic. Well then Miller comes out with there Multimatic 215. I am a big Miller fan I've previously owned a Maxstar 150s and a Millermatic 141. Unfortunately I had to sell them both. Hard times hit and I needed money. The Rebel appears to have way more advanced features for instance I believe the Rebel has adjustable arc force the only stick controls on the Multimatic I believe is amperage. The multimatic however has its own dedicated solenoid for tig which may be a big plus. I don't tig weld yet but I want to learn. Here is the deciding issue. The Rebel will run 6010. I was able to try the Rebel at my LWS and I ran 5P on it with no issue. It was a very impressive welding machine. I spoke to a miller rep via telephone recently about the multimatic. I was told that 6010 is not recommended and they suggested I use 6011 bla bla bla. I have no issue not being able to run 6010. I don't code weld my buzz box will run 6010 but its kinda difficult you can't long arc it at all it will go out. Not that I intentionally long arc it its just totally unforgiving for a hobby / farm welder like me. I usually just stick to 6011 unless one of my welder buddies gives me some for free. Regardless my son is starting a welding apprenticeship program he is going to be working full time as a welders assistant / apprentice. Then one to two nights a week he will be in welding class through the program. He wants to be able to practice at home. Also one of my buddies that is a professional welder he said that when he is in town he will work with my son at home to help teach him. I've got a pile of 6011 that he can burn up if he wants to and supposedly he will be able to get job sight left over 6010 or be able to purchase it cheaply through the school. Aparently they purchase hundreds of pounds at a time and the students can get in on the "bulk" pricing. Anyway if I get the Multimactic he won't be able to practice with 6010 at home. How different are 6010 and 6011 when it comes to pipe welding practice. If practicing with 6011 is a bad idea or its way better to practice with 6010 I'll get the Rebel. Anyway which way should I go? Its also a great excuse to tell the wife when she notices the new welding machine!

 

[BD1]

6010 is a DC rod and 6011 is a AC rod. They are similar on what they do but the 6010 is much smoother . There is also a 6010 5P plus that's nice. It runs nicer than 6010 and less sparks kinda like 7018.
I really prefer a dedicated machine for the process of choice. If you want to run stick get a stick machine. Do a test run by someone where you can run 6010 and 6011 . Since it's a learning process, I would use the 6010 since that's the rod you'll be using.
As for the rods, you may find that all 6010 run a little different . Lincoln 6010 5 P is pretty much the standard pipe rod. Hobart's current 6010 runs like the 6010 plus.
Try a search on the WELDINGWEB site and post this there.
http://weldingweb.com/

 

[texasfiremedic]

This may help you out.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-solutions/Pages/polarity-for-smaw.aspx

By the way he will be using 6010 for pipe welding. He could also be using a 7018 to cap out. May programs go 6010 root and hot pass and 7018 cap. They may not but probably will. Saying this I have 6010 all the way out a many of pipe welds.

 

[texasfiremedic]

6011 is an AC/DC rod.

 

[MoonRise]

If you need or want to be able to run 6010 and Miller says that the Multimatic will not run 6010, then that is not the machine for you.

And as texas guy mentioned, 6010 is a DC rod while 6011 is an AC/DC rod. They are similar but NOT the same.

 

[BD1]

6011 is an AC/DC rod.

Yea, you are correct. I just found running 6011 on AC seems lots better than it does on DC. Most of the 6011 I did was on a AC only buzz box and was fine. Some brands run a little different than others too.

 

[Grinding- wheel]

So the short answer is for my sons benefit I need to get a machine that will run 6010. Thank you.

 

[sberry]

I don't think it matters. I use 11 at home, if a guy cant run it with that he cant run 10 either and for practice purpose there isn't a pinch of **** difference between them and the 7018 runs on either unit. At any rate fix a welding circuit, if this is a circuit not still used as a dryer it may be able to be changed.

 

[Mopar14]

I have worked with Miller's Dynasty 200dx for years and bought one a few years back. For tig and stick process, it works excellent. Very versatile unit and you can switch to high frequency A/C for aluminum tig.
Imho...a separate mig unit and this suitcase welder is a great pairing. I'm a pipefitter by trade and most welders I've worked with recommend the DX. Your son could easily root with 6010, and hot pass, fill and cap with 7018 with this welder.Imho

 

[danski0224]

I have seen pipefitters use two basic types of welding machines.

The Miller 200DX if there is power available to run it (or the less expensive DC only model), or an engine driven machine.

I saw a pretty complicated setup for automated orbital TIG. That looked pretty cool.

 

[Grinding- wheel]

I have seen pipefitters use two basic types of welding machines.

The Miller 200DX if there is power available to run it (or the less expensive DC only model), or an engine driven machine.

I saw a pretty complicated setup for automated orbital TIG. That looked pretty cool.

I would absolutely love to be able to purchase a Miller Maxstar 210 tig or Dynasty 210 tig. I don't need the advanced features of the DX. They are way out of my price range right now. If I found that I enjoyed tig welding I'd probably invest in a Maxstar. I don't think I'll ever weld aluminium. I never have and my understanding is aluminium tig is a whole nother ballgame. I was pretty much told by several people I know learning to tig aluminium is going to cost a fortune and most likely not worth it unless you are going to make your money back.

 

[brownbagg]

dc is the only way to go, so what ever machine is dc, that the one