6010 vs 6011 vs 6013 vs 7018: Which Stick Welding Rod Do You Need?
Head-to-head comparison of E6010, E6011, E6013, and E7018 stick welding rods covering penetration, polarity, applications, and when to use each electrode.
Stick Welding Guide — Electrodes, Amperage & Technique
Complete stick welding guide: electrode types (6010, 6011, 6013, 7018), amperage charts by rod size, polarity settings, positional technique, and troubleshooting arc blow and porosity.
Stick welding (SMAW, Shielded Metal Arc Welding) uses a flux-coated consumable electrode that provides its own shielding gas as the coating burns. No gas bottle, no wire feeder, no complicated setup. Plug in the machine, clamp your ground, load a rod, and strike an arc. That simplicity makes stick the most portable, versatile, and field-tolerant arc welding process on the market.
Stick dominates pipeline welding, structural steel erection, shipbuilding, maintenance and repair, and any job site where wind, rain, rust, or remote location rules out gas-shielded processes. A 40-lb inverter stick welder on a generator can handle work that would require hundreds of pounds of MIG equipment and gas cylinders.
How Stick Welding Works
The electrode’s flux coating does three jobs simultaneously: it generates shielding gas to protect the weld pool, it produces slag that protects the cooling weld from oxidation, and it adds alloying elements to the weld metal. As you burn the rod, you maintain a short arc length (about one rod diameter) and travel at a speed that builds a properly shaped bead. When the rod burns down to a 2" stub, you chip slag, load a new rod, and continue.
Common Electrode Types
Each rod classification tells you its properties. The first two digits are tensile strength in thousands of PSI. The third digit indicates positions (1 = all position). The fourth digit defines flux type, current, and polarity.
- E6010 — Deep penetrating, fast-freeze. DCEP only. Standard for pipe root passes and dirty steel. Produces a tight, digging arc.
- E6011 — Similar to 6010 but runs on AC or DCEP. Use this when your machine doesn’t output clean DC.
- E6013 — Shallow penetration, smooth arc, easy slag removal. AC/DC. Best for beginners and sheet metal.
- E7018 — Low-hydrogen, all-position. The structural workhorse. Smooth arc, strong welds, but rods must be kept dry. Store opened containers in a rod oven at 250-300F.
- E7024 — High iron powder, flat and horizontal only. High deposition for production fillet welding. Drag rod, no weave needed.
Polarity Quick Reference
- DCEP (electrode positive) — Deeper penetration. Standard for 6010, 7018 in most applications.
- DCEN (electrode negative) — Less penetration, faster fill. Some rods run better on DCEN.
- AC — Eliminates arc blow problems on magnetized steel. Required if your machine is AC-only.
Articles in This Section
The guides below cover electrode selection in detail, amperage charts for every rod size, vertical and overhead technique, pipeline welding, and troubleshooting problems like arc blow, porosity, and slag inclusions.
All Articles
7018 Rod Storage and Handling: Low-Hydrogen Electrode Care Guide
How to store and handle 7018 low-hydrogen welding rods. Rod oven temps, AWS D1.1 moisture limits, reconditioning procedures, and what happens when 7018 gets wet.
AC vs DC Stick Welding: Polarity Explained (DCEP, DCEN & AC)
AC vs DC stick welding polarity comparison. When to use DCEP, DCEN, or AC for stick welding, which rods work on each, and how polarity affects penetration and arc stability.
E6010 Downhill Root Pass: Pipeline Technique, Keyhole & Bead Control
E6010 downhill root pass technique for pipeline welding. Covers whip-and-pause, keyhole control, stringer bead manipulation, gap and land settings, and 5G/6G position.
Stick Welder Generator Sizing: Wattage, Amperage & Generator Types
What size generator for stick welding? Calculate wattage from amperage, compare generator types, understand duty cycle impact, and see rod-specific watt charts.
Stick Welding Amperage Chart: Settings by Rod Type and Diameter
Stick welding amperage chart for E6010, E6011, E6013, E7018, and E7024 electrodes. Settings organized by rod diameter with position-specific adjustments.
Stick Welding Cast Iron: Nickel Rods, Preheat & Repair Techniques
How to stick weld cast iron with nickel electrodes (ENi-CI and ENiFe-CI). Covers preheat requirements, peening, slow cooling, buttering, and crack repair.
Stick Welding Common Defects: Causes, Identification & Fixes
Identify and fix common stick welding defects including slag inclusion, porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, spatter, and arc blow. Causes and solutions for each.
Stick Welding in Wind: Outdoor Technique & Rod Selection
How to stick weld in windy outdoor conditions. Why stick excels over MIG and TIG in wind, best rods for windy welding, wind screen setups, and arc length control.
Stick Welding Overhead: Technique, Rod Selection & Drip Prevention
How to stick weld overhead position with proper rod angle, amperage adjustments, tight arc length, and electrode selection. Covers 4G groove and 4F fillet technique.
Stick Welding Pipe: Root Pass, Hot Pass, Fill & Cap Technique
How to stick weld pipe with 6010 root pass and 7018 fill and cap. Covers clock positions, keyhole technique, hot pass cleanup, and 5G/6G procedure.
Stick Welding Rod Guide: Electrode Classifications, Coatings & AWS Designations
Complete stick welding rod guide covering EXXXX electrode numbering, AWS classifications, coating types, and how to read rod labels for any application.
Stick Welding Rusty Metal: Rod Selection, Prep & No-Prep Technique
How to stick weld on rusty, dirty, or painted steel. Rod selection for contaminated surfaces, prep vs no-prep tradeoffs, and when to grind vs burn through.
Stick Welding Thin Metal: Minimum Thickness, Technique & Rod Selection
Can you stick weld thin metal? Minimum thickness limits by rod size, technique for 16-14 gauge steel, low amperage settings, skip welding, and when to use MIG or TIG instead.
Stick Welding Vertical Up: Technique, Weave Patterns & Rod Selection
How to stick weld vertical up with proper weave patterns, rod angles, amperage settings, and electrode selection. Covers triangle weave, J-weave, and whip-and-pause.