TA Manual recommends against 7014

[Hotfoot]

So, I take a little time to actually read some of the the instructions for my new Thermal Arc 181i...'just got it yesterday, and still haven't had any time to play with it. I open the manual to Stick Welding (SMAW)..

First thing that hits me (p.4-11 "Electrode E7014 is not recommended for use with this machine". Darn!, one of my old favorites!...'must be because this is an inverter??? It does go on to explain that this is a nice, easy to use rod for general purpose welding...which has been my experience..but doesn't say why not to use it on this unit????

Then, ( 4-14), when discussing Arc Length, they do say that E7014 would make welding much easier, because they do not stick. They do not go on to say what similar performance can be had with????rod, now that they have told us NOT to use 7014???

Then (4-14 again) They tell me use E7014 in Butt welds....

At this point , after flipping back-and-forth, it was getting late, and I figured I just wasn't "getting it"...

Maybe I'll read it again today...maybe I should just ignore their advice when they say NOT to do something???

The manual was printed in the USA...but it looks like its going down the path of those famous Chinese Instructions I chuckle at on so many imported gizmos...

[mike landrich]

That's too bad. 7014 is my favorite electrode for general purpose use. If for some reason you really can't use it, then give Messer 80 T AC+ a try. It has pretty similar characteristics to 7014, except leaves an even nicer looking bead

[usmcpop]

6011 is not recommended either.

[BD1]

What do they recommend ? 6010 and 7018 ?

[usmcpop]

I called tech support and chatted at length with a guy about 6011 and 7014. Not 100% satisfied with the response (hey, he's not an design engineer or a Dan or a Scott), but he seemed to indicate that these may not behave as "butter rods" for the inexperienced whereas an experienced welder might not have a problem. Maybe the VA "curve" is a bit whacko or the OCV is down a bit. Or they couldn't come up with "door settings" that would universally apply. Not sure I buy the OCV bit if it's OK with 7018.

Hey, if it melts metal and you can get the pen and bead profile you like, go for it.

P.S. No mention of 6010, which seems to be the bane of many small inverters.

[Scott V]

http://www.scottgrossstore.com/servl...S-Stick/Detail


http://products.esabna.com/index.php...page_email.pdf

[TozziWelding]

Just chuck it up and run it, your not gonna blow the machine up.

[tractorguy]

I agree just give it a try. It cant hurt the machine.

[Hobby welder]

try it anyway

[canoecruiser]

My Lincoln buzzbox burns 7018 just fine as does the TA 185 on DC. I've run several brands through them and never had any trouble keeping the arc lit. No way you can hurt the welder by trying. Go to your LWS or another welder and see if you can get a few sticks as samples, then test-drive them.

If you do, post the results so that the rest of us have a valid data point to reference.

[Roger]

Why 6011 & 7014 not recommended and how are they related?

I could see 6010 & 6011 grouped together and not recommended because they are deep penetrating, digging arc, fast freeze often welded with whipping motion.

7014 is AC DC rod with mild penetration soft arc. Totally different rod.