6013 Stick Welding Problem Fixed

I’m a retired certified welder, 41 years worth, and my first welds were in HS shop class in the mid 70’s using 6013. After graduating and starting my career, it was all 7018, most of the time vertical up or overhead! I only do occasional “friends & family” welding nowadays, and I’ve gone back to my roots - using 6013 & 7014 instead of low hydrogen due to the storage issues of 7018 when not using them up steadily. Slag inclusions have always been an issue with 13’s & 14’s, but I stumbled on a great tip! On one of those welding channels from India (you know the ones!), I noticed this guy doing the obligatory dab dab dab 6013 weld along with an occasional standard uninterrupted stringer bead, ALL of them free of slag pockets!! He was using a greenish colored electrode that I figured was some regional thing. I commented, saying how impressed I was with the lack of discontinuities in his beads, I myself constantly fighting it! His response? Get some ESAB 6013’s! My local welding supply didn’t stock them, but got some for me. Opening the first tube of “Sureweld 6013”, I was greeted by the first green welding rods I’d ever owned, and my skepticism was quickly squashed upon burning the first one! I’ve tried 5 or 6 different brands of 6013, but these things are in a class all by theirselves! I highly recommend trying them for yourself! A game changer for me! Excellent video by the way, even though I had to watch it with the sound turned off! Ha!

Old timer here. I had problems for a long time with 6013s. The problem was I kept
trying to use it like a 6011.
Remember you need a gap
when using a 6011 and others. Try dragging the rod with no gap or very little. You'll see the difference. For many years all I had was a Lincoln AC
buzz box. I have learn things to use that others don't talk much about. Like
rod manipulation and watch the heat versus what people say the amp dial says. Think more like an artist than an weld engineer. Loosen up, get comfortable. It's a great day when your welds look
good. Then the welding bug will get you big time. If
you are not having fun burn more rods til you smile 😀

As a hobbyist getting into welding, your videos have been immensely helpful. By far the most clear, concise and to-the-point videos.

Just started welding recently. Watching your videos has helped me immensely. My boss even said my welds are nicer than his and he has been welding 30+ years so i thank you for that.

You’re the clearest, most concise welding instructor on YouTube. Subbed!

Tim is without doubt the best tutor on YouTube.. Since I started welding a few years back I've learnt everything from this guy

Just bought your 4 pack bundle, looking forward to getting stuck in! I was a mig welder on a production line for 2 years, 20 years ago. Looking forward to learning the knowledge behind the skill as back in the day it was just practice until you get good, never mind the theory 👍

HI Tim, Jose from Puerto Rico. I'm 65 years old and retired, but I've always been interested in learning to weld. As much so that I've taken a basic stick welding course just to get my feet wet, and I truly enjoyed it. Then I stumbled on your channel, and I'm at awe of your tremendous skill set and manner of teaching. You're a gifted teacher. Do you think that your course described on your channel would be something I could really learn from? Or do you think that going to school is the way to go? I mean, the price of your total course is mind-boggling exceptional, compared to what I paid for that basic course.

When I weld thicker plates ( like 1/4"), I use 105 or 120 amps on my old Lincoln AC with 6013. I get lots better results than at low amperage. I also find that weaving from side to side for the first half inch or so, leaves a more uniform weld.

HUGE HELP! I'm a beginner and I've been running into this more than anything else. Can't wait to try what you showed here. Thanks!

I have been welding for 35 years but have very little experience with AC electrodes. The struggle is real. Thank you for reaffirming what I subconsciously knew to be true.

Hi Tim,

The first time I learned to weld was when I was 7 years old, and over the last year, I became burnt out from 25+ years of software engineering, and one of my friends told me - "Dave, have you tried working with your hands again?"

Your channel has helped me so much, and I thank you for it! You keep up the good work! This. Is. Awesome.

Oh - I'm starting an official welding course next year ;-)

Ohhhhhh thanks for this vid. I was having the same issue using the 6013. I will check my amperage and weld angle next time. =)

I wanted to learn welding for a long time ; so I have been watching Tim's videos for a while now . I got myself a cheap Inverter DC welder 2 weeks back and been practicing with some 2.4 mm and 3.15 mm 6013 electrodes . I found that with 70-75 amps I get good results with the 2.4 mm 6013 electrode ( or at least it seems good to me , lol ) and 100 to 110 amps with a 3.15 mm 6013 electrode .
I need to work on my welding angles and travel speed ; it's only a fortnight I have been welding :)

This is the most instructive video about this matter (which is my most common deamon) I`ve seen. And the duration of 5 minutes is perfect

Thanks for making this video. When searching for beginners videos on welding this one really is the one that tells you what you need to know to start making good welds with 6013 and really that is all you need to know.

Your videos are really awesome.
There are so many variables that can have a profound effect on making a good solid weld from day to day or even throughout the day or night. HOWEVER, this usually involves temprature and moisture, in my experience.
I spent 5 years welding where every weld and weld repair was UT'd or Mag. Part.tested with the outcome also noted in your record as a passed or failed weld. I moved from the Midwest (Hot and Humid) to a High Desert environment which is very Hot with very low humidity) during the day.
I transferred to nightshift and on one night, I had a small 6" repair to make on 3/8" mild steel at a depth of 3mm. on a weldment that was stored outside after it failed Ultra Sound.
I had brought the section inside the plant and guickly gound the slag inclusion and poracity out. As i started to fill in the gash, the supervisor came by and told me to slowly preheat the steel up a little bit in that area, if i valued my record. When i asked him WHY it was necessary. He stated because of " moisture in the metal from condensation, even though it's dry to the touch and eyes, it's " wet ". It will also prevent cracking and warping from thermal shock so don't chance it". I fired up the belch fire torch and saw the moisture being driven out almost right away. The canyon i ground out filled up so nice, that i didn't have to butter up the weld and it passed. From that time to this day i preheat everything from 1/4" on up. Even if the outside humidity is only 20% at 70 degrees. Just another one of if those little details that can make a difference.

All I can say is Thanks Mate from a novice Auzzie welder.
Another great and highly useful video.

I gave up 6013, but I may have to revisit the rod after watching this video. Appreciate it Tim . . . your delivery seems more natural now....keep up the good work Sir!

Great video. I had the same issue with 6013. I’m off to the shed to put your advice into practice. Thanks Tim.