Stick Electrodes

Stick electrodes across steel, stainless, cast iron and hardfacing. Stick welding stays relevant because it works where the other processes do not - outdoors, on contaminated material, in the field, with no gas to carry.

Choose by classification, not by habit

The AWS designation tells you everything you need. In E7018, the first two digits are tensile strength in thousands of psi, the third is the position it can be run in, and the fourth describes the coating and the current it needs.

• E6010 - cellulosic, deep penetration, DC only. Root passes, pipe, and rusted or painted material. Aggressive arc that takes practice.
• E6013 - rutile, soft arc, easy strike and restart, light penetration. Sheet, light fabrication and general repair.
• E7014 - iron powder, high deposition rate and a very smooth bead. Fast fill on clean material where appearance counts.
• E7018 - low hydrogen. The structural standard, and the specified electrode on most code work.

Diameter follows thickness and position

Larger diameters deposit faster and need more current. Out of position, smaller diameters control the puddle. Running a 5/32 electrode overhead because it is what is open on the bench is how a job gets rejected.

Low hydrogen only stays low hydrogen if you keep it dry

E7018 absorbs atmospheric moisture within hours of the container being opened. Once it has, the hydrogen it introduces into the weld causes cracking that will not show up until after the job is signed off. Rod ovens and sealed storage are stocked alongside for this reason, and they are not optional on code work.

Specialty alloys

Cast iron, stainless and hardfacing electrodes are selected by base metal and service condition rather than tensile strength alone. For unknown or problem material, call us - the wrong electrode cracks the repair rather than fixing it.

Free shipping over $175 across Canada. Counter pickup and bulk pricing at our North York location.