How to Weld With 7014 Rods

Different welding electrodes specialize in providing a variety of welding effects, and 7014 rods are no different. Specifically, 7014 welding rods, which can be used with AC- or DC-powered welding machines, cause minimal splatter and are ideal for welding sheet metal because they provide low penetration. When welding with a 7014 rod, you should always start with a scrap piece of metal to determine the proper welding machine settings with the 7014 to make sure you achieve the desired results. Then, you may use the best settings when welding your actual project.

Instructions

1. Obtain metal of the proper thickness. Since the width of a 7014 rod is 1/8 inch, your metal must be 1/8 inch in thickness, if not more.

2. Strike your 7014 electrode on the surface of your scrap metal, to open an arc between the welding tool and your metal.

3. Drag your electrode along the surface of the metal, using the welding speed recommended by your welding tool manufacturer.

4. Experiment with slower and faster welding speeds to determine how the 7014 works with your particular welding metal and welding tool under different speeds.

5. Remove your welding electrode from the metal and allow several minutes for the metal to cool down. Inspect your welding results and determine if they are what you need, or if you should weld again with a different speed.

6. Use your 7014 rod, once you have perfected the welding settings, for your particular applications. 7014 rods are particularly adept at welding imperfect joints, but they are well-suited for any application.

References

• KH Metals and Supply: Welding Electrodes
• The Welder Shop: Types of Welding Electrodes