Lincoln AC 225

[kpmullins]

My Lincoln AC225 Stick Welder will not weld with 1/8" E7018 rods, even at 135 amps. It seems to weld with 1/8" 6011 with no problem.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions to pass on and hopefully resolve this issue, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
KP Mullins

 

[chinsk]

7018 is DC rod. Try 7014AC rods.

 

[readhead]

Or 7018AC.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Previous posters are correct.
Try some 7014 instead.

 

[Jim c]

Lincoln ac 225 is one heck of a good welder though. Grab a handful of 6011 s and go at it and you can pretty much weld together anything that you can bring in to your shop.

 

[Millwrong]

7018 is not a DC only rod, and I have no idea why people keep attempting to spread this misinformation!

Now that being said, home gamer machines like the AC225 have a low OCV, which can cause problems keeping a "normal" 7018 lit. It was for machines like this that they made the 7018AC electrodes, and from what I've heard, they work ok. I agree with Farmall in that 7014 is a great all-position rod to keep around if you have an AC-only machine.

 

[readhead]

7014 is a fast freeze rod. I keep some on hand but prefer the 7018AC. It runs a lot smoother.

 

[sberry]

14 is fill freeze I believe. It's about the same as 13 for current requirements.

 

[Boilerhouse]

Specifically, I would recommend the Lincoln 7018 AC rod. Works very well for me with my 225 AC machine.

 

[johninct]

Try turning up your heat and see if that helps.

 

[Millwrong]

7014 is a fast freeze rod. I keep some on hand but prefer the 7018AC. It runs a lot smoother.

7014 is not a "fast freeze" rod. That phrase is reserved for electrodes with cellulose based fluxes, ie x010 and x011.

 

[readhead]

That is how it was described to me by the LWS. I would like to think they have the right info. I looked it up and you are correct. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[sberry]

I agree with the 7018AC. Its one of the best things they ever invent for these machines. I could get by with 3 rods, 1/8 6011, 3/32 and 1/8 7018. While it's true that 13 and 14 have milder penetration they also have higher current requirements. 11 is used a lot on sheetmetal.

 

[fordkid88]

There are plenty of source on the internet about doing a dc conversion for these welders. I did it to mine and it works fantastic. Although I've since gotten a new tig machine so if I do any stick I use the new machine but I use the leads from the ac225 on the new machine because theyre beefier and longer. Still a good machine, and better with the mods.

 

[MagKarl]

Lincoln 7018AC from Home Depot works great for me.

 

[Mike007]

Did you let the rod get damp?

 

[sberry]

7018 is not a DC only rod, and I have no idea why people keep attempting to spread this misinformation!

Now that being said, home gamer machines like the AC225 have a low OCV, which can cause problems keeping a "normal" 7018 lit. It was for machines like this that they made the 7018AC electrodes, and from what I've heard, they work ok. I agree with Farmall in that 7014 is a great all-position rod to keep around if you have an AC-only machine.

I agree that technically 18 can and is on occasion used on AC for the purpose of this discussion it mostly is DC. The AC version is really the electrode most should be using for a lot of this crowd. Turn itbup, go slow and it's hard to miss. It is a little loose on verts, needs the current adjusted closer and some weave to make it hang in.