For the best results, it’s important to choose the right welding rod (electrode) for your project. That’s why Forney is here with your comprehensive guide to stick electrodes.

 Stick Electrode Breakdown

MILD STEEL

This rod is ideal for welding through light to medium amounts of dirt, rust or paint. Amperage range: 35-125. Offered diameters: 1/8″ 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP:

While this rod can be used on dirtier materials, your weld quality and strength both are significantly better with just a little bit of prep work to clean up your material before welding.

6011 electrodes are mild steel, all-position rods with strong arc force for deep penetration. They are fast-freezing and solidify rapidly to facilitate welding in vertical and overhead positions. They also produce light slag for fast and easy clean-up. Runs on AC or DC reverse currents.

These electrodes are excellent for rusty steel because of the strong arc force. They are great for a wide range of applications including plain or galvanized tanks, steel casting repair, machinery parts, construction, pressure pipe, and more. 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP: 

The 6011 rod is very similar to the 6010, except it can run on AC and is friendlier to use for overhead welding.

A mild steel, all-position, general-purpose rod. This electrode deposits smoothly with medium-to-shallow penetration. It creates medium to heavy slag that is easily removed. Runs on either AC or DC polarity. 

These electrodes are excellent where there is poor fit up in the joint. The small diameters are well-adapted to low heat on thin metals. They are great on all types of mild steel fabrications and repairs where ease of operation and good appearance are important. 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP: 

The 6013 rod is fantastic for beginners. We believe this is the best stick electrode for thin materials. 

An iron powder type, all-position rod with smooth arc characteristics, good arc stability, and low spatter. Good for producing medium-to-low penetration. Runs on either AC or DC polarity.

This rod is easy-to-use, and is suitable for all types of mild steel fabrication. It’s particularly effective on sheet metal, ornamental ironwork, and poor fit-up joints. 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP: 

The 7014 rod is also a fantastic rod for beginners. It is very forgiving when it comes to arc length, meaning that if you bring the rod nearly into contact with parent metal the arc will not be extinguished.

Low-hydrogen, all-position rod which produces high-quality x-ray welds. Because these rods are low-hydrogen, they provide high strength and toughness without cracking the center of weld bead. Runs on either AC or DC reverse polarity.

Excellent for welding hardenable steels with no preheat and on cold roll steels exhibiting excessive porosity when welding with conventional rods. 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP: 

7018 rod is generally used as a cap on multi-pass welds. With good technique, this creates a very aesthetic weld.

Low-hydrogen, high-strength, all-position rod designed for use on AC welders. These rods make it easy to strike an arc, and run smoother than conventional 7018 rod– which typically do not run well on older 180 and 225 amp machines. Runs on either AC or DC reverse polarity. 

Excellent for welding hardenable steels with no preheat and on cold roll steels exhibiting excessive porosity when welding with conventional rods. 

EXPERT-TECH PRO TIP: 

This is the same as a general 7018 rod except it is specifically made to run on AC.

STAINLESS STEEL

Highest strength universal steel electrode that is distinctly unique and superior for joining all types of steel with remarkable strength and elongation. This rod deposits non-cracking beads even on high alloy steel, high carbon steel, manganese steel, stainless steel and dissimilar steel. Runs on AC or DC polarity, but DC (+) is recommended. 

These electrodes can be used on arms, asphalt mixer paddles, augers, axles, bars, bearings, blades, bracket teeth, bumpers, chains, chisels, conveyors, crane booms, dissimilar steels, drills, forklift lines, hoppers, impellers, levers, mowers, rails, shafts, snow, springs, steel cases & housing, tools, wheels and more!

CAST IRON

Cast iron alloy electrode developed specifically for dirty and oil-soaked cast iron in addition to head-affected cast iron. A perfect color match to grey cast iron. Non-machinable. Runs on AC or DC currents but DC (+) is recommended. 

Nomacast rods can be used on arms, cases & housing, cast iron farm implements, snowplows, cylinder heads, engine blocks, exhaust manifolds, flywheels, gears, levers, machine bases, malleable iron, meehanite, molds, mowers, ornamental iron work, pulleys, pumps, valves, water jacks and more! 

Non-conductive flux-coated cast iron electrode. Highest quality electrode for joining all grades cast iron. No preheating joins cast to steel. Flux-coating completely eliminates side arcing. These are the most machinable cast iron electrode available. Runs AC or DC currents but DC (+) is recommended. 

These rods can be used on arms, cases & housing, cast iron farm implements, snowplows, cylinder heads, engine blocks, exhaust manifolds, flywheels, gears, levers, machine bases, malleable iron, meehanite, molds, mowers, ornamental iron work, pulleys, pumps, valves, water jacks and more! 

A very versatile cast iron electrode. The ultimate choice for alloyed cast iron. Meehanite nodular ductile cast iron, and great for joining cast iron to steel. Highly machinable. Runs on AC or DC currents but DC (+) is recommended. 

These rods can be used on arms, cases & housing, cast iron farm implements, snowplows, cylinder heads, engine blocks, exhaust manifolds, flywheels, gears, levers, machine bases, malleable iron, meehanite, molds, mowers, ornamental iron work, pulleys, pumps, valves, water jacks and more! 

HARD SURFACE

Supercote electrodes are an inexpensive, all-position, hard facing rod. It provides a smooth arc for easy application. Slag is easily removed. Runs on AC or DC reverse polarity. 

These rods are used for building up or surfacing areas to resist abrasion and to provide low impact protection. Can also work on cylinder bars, draw bars, augers, and more. 

Superwear rods are supreme all-purpose hard-facing electrodes. They produce outstanding impact and abrasion resistance. What’s more, the extremely high deposition rate prolongs surface life of new and worn parts. Runs on AC or DC currents but DC (+) is recommended. 

These electrodes can be used on augers, blades, buckets & lips, cement truck chutes, concrete mixer liners, cones, cone liners, conveyors, crushed concaves, dragline pins & links, end bits, feeder sprockets, gravel washer pipes, hammers, hoppers, impellers, jaws, pump air rings, screens, teeth, and more. 

METALWORKING

Air or gas-free metalworking electrode. Great for expedient and economical grooving, beveling and gouging without any special equipment. This electrode has the potential to replace a cutting torch. Runs on AC or DC (-) current.

Applications include cutting and grooving cast iron, general cutting, gouging, piercing, removing bolts/plow blots, sheet cutting and fabrication.

LIGHT METALS

A rod with unique flux that doubles as a flux-coated brazing alloy with unmatched arc stability. For high strength joining of all types of aluminum. Great for all-position welding, and produces outstanding welds. Runs on DC (+) current. 

Applications include aluminum blocks and housing, aluminum repairs, aluminum tanks, cafeteria equipment, cases, cylinder heads, mixers, paddles, piping, structural members, truck and trailer bodies, and more.