Stick welding

**phelum** · 15th June 2008, 08:25 PM

I've been playing with my new DC welder and so far have been using DCEN with my type 12 rods. Today things weren't going very well so I switched to DCEP which helped surface wetting and penetration and I didn't notice any bad effects.

I thought DCEN would increase the heat on the job rather than the electrode and therefore I should get better penetration. Is this true for TIG but not for stick ?

I believed DCEN would give me better penetration and that E4112 rods should be DCEN rather than DCEP. But the packet suggests AC or DC+- so it seems I ran run either polarity.

Is it safe/sensible to use DCEP with E4112 rods ?

Does anyone have a link to info describing a welding arc and the differences depending on the polarity ?

Thanks,

**Stringy** · 15th June 2008, 09:51 PM

Firsty some links; see power supply, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shielded_metal_arc_welding

and, see operation modes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_tungsten_arc_welding

Stick;

DCEN= 2/3rd's heat in electrode, 1/3rd heat in work. You will notice the electrode become very hot by the end of a full run.
Good for root runs and thin material. do not use for general welding as fusion is a problem.

DCEP= 2/3rd's heat in work, 1/3rd heat in electrode. Electrode stays cooler.
Use for good fusion and normal thickness material only switch to EN if you are blowing holes.

AC=1/2 heat in work, 1/2 heat in electrode.

This is a very basic explanition as there are many other factors and adjustments that can be made, depending on power source.

**phelum** · 15th June 2008, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stringy

Stick;

DCEN= 2/3rd's heat in electrode, 1/3rd heat in work. You will notice the electrode become very hot by the end of a full run.
Good for root runs and thin material. do not use for general welding as fusion is a problem.

DCEP= 2/3rd's heat in work, 1/3rd heat in electrode. Electrode stays cooler.

Hi,

Thanks for this info. I've found a thread that explains the heat distribution and why stick is different from TIG.

I'll experiment some more tomorrow and keep DCEN in mind for 16g plate.

**phelum** · 1st July 2008, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Stringy

Stick;

DCEP= 2/3rd's heat in work, 1/3rd heat in electrode. Electrode stays cooler.

Strange but true. I never managed to understand the thread I mentioned that 'explained' DCEP versus DCEN and Stick versus TIG so I'll forget about the theory and just accept the fact. Welds (especially vert up) seem much better now. My little DC welder is still working well and I am truly spoilt by this modern technology.

Stringy - thanks again for the tip.

**spooled** · 1st July 2008, 11:04 PM

Mainly only use EN for root runs so you don't burn away the plate/pipe edges, or thin gauge meterial as you said.

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