Farm Repair Rod vs Easy-Run Shop Rod

E6011 deep-penetration rust-tolerant rod vs E7014 easy-running iron powder rod. Two common choices for hobby and farm welders.

Key Differences

AttributeE6011E7014
PenetrationDeep - digs through rustMedium - needs clean metal
Dirty MetalExcellent - burns through contaminationPoor - needs clean surface
Tensile Strength60,000 psi70,000 psi
Ease of UseModerate - active arc managementEasy - drag technique works
Bead AppearanceRough, rippledSmooth, uniform
Slag RemovalLight, paperyEasy, self-peeling
Best ApplicationField repair, maintenance, pipeShop fabrication, general purpose
PolarityAC, DCEPAC, DCEP, DCEN

How E6011 and E7014 Work Together

E6011 is the maintenance and repair rod that handles dirty, rusty metal in the field. E7014 is the clean-metal shop rod that makes good-looking welds with minimal skill. Farm and hobby welders often keep both: E6011 for fixing rusty equipment in the pasture, E7014 for building projects on the bench. E7014 is 10,000 psi stronger and much easier to run, but it cannot handle contaminated surfaces like E6011.

Common Mistake With Farm Repair Rod

Using E6011 for everything because it handles rusty metal. On clean steel, E6011 produces a rougher bead with more spatter than necessary. Switching to E7014 for clean shop work gives a smoother bead, less cleanup, and a stronger weld.

Where to Buy

As an Amazon Associate, GageRef earns from qualifying purchases. These are affiliate links.

E6011 on Amazon

E7014 on Amazon

Data sourced from .