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How Many Amps for Stick Welding
How Many Amps for Stick Welding, like a lot of things in Welding, is not a precise science because it depends on a number of variables:
- Type of Metal
- Metal Thickness
- Type of Joint
- Joint Preparation
- Welding Rods Diameter
- To some extent, the size of the object being welded
- To some extent, the ambient temperature and the temperature of the metal to be welded
So for example, a Butt Weld in 10mm Steel, with a ‘V’ Prep where a Root run is applied, followed by a Fill and Cap run, will need less Amps than say 5mm thick steel with only a small gap for prep.
Joint Type also has a bearing. A Fillet Joint will need around 10% more Amps than a Butt Joint, while an Outside Corner Joint will need less power than a Butt Joint.
Often the answer comes from testing your best guess at power.
The above variables and comments explain why there is quite a range in the following Amp guides.
6013 Welding Rods for Mild Steel
- 2.0mm = 40-60amps
- 2.5mm = 60-90amps
- 3.2mm = 90-130amps
- 4.0mm = 130-170amps
- 5.0mm = 170-220amps
7018 Welding Rods for Mild Steel
- 2.0mm = 50-70amps
- 2.5mm = 70-100amps
- 3.2mm = 100-140amps
- 4.0mm = 140-190amps
- 5.0mm = 190-240amps
304/316 Stainless Steel Welding Rods
- 2.0mm = 30-50amps
- 2.5mm = 40-70amps
- 3.2mm = 60-90amps
- 4.0mm = 90-120amps
- 5.0mm = 120-170amps
View our Stainless Steel & Cast Iron Rods
Ferro Nickel Rods for Cast Iron
- 2.5mm = 70-100amps
- 3.2mm = 100-130amps
- 4.0mm = 130-150amps
- 5.0mm = 150-170amps
View our Stainless Steel & Cast Iron Rods
Visit our Wires, Rods, Gas Page to view our Range
How Many Amps for Stick Welding – Conclusion
How Many Amps for Stick Welding is, unfortunately, not quite as simple as we might like. There are simply too many variables.
So the easiest way forward is to use the guides above to get you to the right ball park amps, then do a test weld on some scrap metal that’s the same as the job.
I hope you found this blog article about How Many Amps for Stick Welding useful.
Please let me know what you thought by leaving a comment.
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Cheers
Graham
12 comments
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Someone suggested a good starting point is the decimal equivalent of the welding rod diameter without the decimal point, for example 1/8 rod the decimal equivalent is.125, if you take the decimal point away you get 125, which would be the starting point for that 1/8 inch rod. What do you think?
Hi John
I regret I can’t really comment on that formula as Rods in the UK are in Metric Measure, so your 1/8″ is 3.25mm in the UK. Having said that, 125amps is pretty high for a 1/8″ – 3.2mm rod. These, generally, are used between at 90 & 130 amps. I would suggest it’s normally better to underestimate amps, or risk blowing a big hole that then has to be filled.
But each to their own 😀
Cheers Graham
Thanks. I would like to know how the thickness of the metal influences the amperage.
Hi Ivan
It’s impossible to give a definitive answer. Thicker metal will require more power, but how much will depend on joint configuration and joint preparation. Bottom line is it’s a bit of a suck it and see process. I usually try on a piece of scrap metal the same thickness and joint type etc and inspect and/or test the resulting weld. It’s usually pretty obvious if you have too much or too little power.
I hope that helps, if only a bit 🙂
Cheers Graham
Was always curious but thanks for that makes sense . Great explanation
You’re welcome Nick, glad you found the article helpful.
Regards Graham
This is a great article. Was very informative
AM HAPPY AND SATISFIED OF YOUR ARTICLE
Hi Camarade
Thank You for your comment, glad you found the article useful.
Regards Graham
thanks for a great article.i do artistic steel pieces.i am going to put the rods for steel on the side of the welder.one thing not mentioned is the duty cycle of the cheap machines.i dont have that problem 1 have a 100 % cycle machine.thanks again for a most informative article.
Hi Michael
Thank you for your comment, great to hear you found the “How Many Amps for Stick Welding” article useful.
Cheers Graham