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Stick Welding Electrode Chart.

E6010, E6011, E7018, and more - amperage range by rod size, polarity, and what each electrode is actually good for on the shop floor or pipe yard.

Electrode Polarity 1/8" Amps 5/32" Amps Best For
E6010
Cellulosic
 DC+ 75-110A 110-150A Deep penetration. Cuts through rust, paint, mill scale. Pipe root passes.
E6011
Cellulosic
 AC / DC+ 75-110A 110-150A Like 6010 but runs on AC too - good general-purpose dirty-steel rod.
E6013
Rutile
 AC / DC± 70-100A 100-130A Smooth arc, easy to run, less penetration. Good for thin metal and beginners.
E7018
Low-Hydrogen
 AC / DC+ 90-130A 130-170A Smooth, low-spatter, higher strength. Needs cleaner metal. Structural & code work.
E7024
High-Iron Rutile
 AC / DC+ 110-150A 150-200A Drag rod, high deposition. Flat position only. Fast fill on thick steel.
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Dialing It In

Pick the right rod.

1

Match the electrode to your base metal condition

Dirty, rusty, or painted steel calls for a cellulosic rod like 6010 or 6011 that digs through contamination. Clean structural steel is where low-hydrogen 7018 shines.

2

Check the polarity requirement

6010 is DC electrode positive only. 6011 and 7018 run on AC or DC+. Running the wrong polarity gives you a weak, unstable, or impossible-to-strike arc.

3

Start mid-range on amperage

Pick the middle of the amperage range for your rod diameter, strike an arc on scrap, and adjust up if the rod sticks or down if you're blowing through.

4

Keep your leads in good shape

Worn or undersized stick welder leads cause voltage drop, which shows up as a weak, sputtering arc even with the right amperage dialed in. Check connections and cable condition before chasing settings.

In the App

Every electrode.
Every position.

The app's Stick settings tool covers amperage by material and thickness, not just rod size - plus the full reference chart library for tap drills, welding positions, and lens tint, all working offline.

Stick electrode amperage and polarity by material/thickness
Works offline - no signal needed on the shop floor
Standard ↔ metric toggle on every screen
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FAQ

Common questions.

E6010 is a deep-penetrating cellulosic electrode that runs on DC and digs through rust, paint, and mill scale - common for pipe root passes and dirty steel. E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode that runs smoother with less spatter and higher tensile strength, but needs cleaner base metal.
Roughly 90 to 130 amps on DC electrode positive, depending on position and joint fit-up. Start in the middle of that range and adjust based on how the puddle and bead profile look.
Check ground clamp contact first - a poor ground connection is the most common cause. Also verify polarity matches the electrode's requirement (some rods need DC+, others DC- or AC), and make sure amperage is high enough for the rod diameter.