Welding Guides
Practical guides for understanding welding electrode classification, rod selection, and process differences.
These guides cover the fundamentals that welding spec sheets assume you already know. If you are trying to figure out what the numbers on a rod mean, which process to use, or how to choose between two similar consumables, start here.
Available Guides
How to Read Welding Rod Numbers
What the numbers on a welding rod mean. Breakdown of the AWS electrode classification system with examples.
How to Store Welding Rods (Low-Hydrogen & General)
Complete guide to welding rod storage. Which rods need ovens, rebaking temperatures, moisture limits, and how to tell if a rod is bad.
Welding Polarity Explained: DCEP, DCEN, and AC
What DCEP, DCEN, and AC polarity mean in welding. How polarity affects penetration, heat distribution, and which rods work on which polarity.
How to Choose Aluminum Welding Wire (ER4043 vs ER5356)
Aluminum filler wire selection guide. When to use ER4043 vs ER5356 based on base metal alloy, crack sensitivity, strength, and anodizing.
Flux-Core vs MIG: Which Process Should You Use?
Comparison of flux-core and MIG welding processes. When to use each, equipment needs, cost, and which produces better welds for your application.
Welding Rod Sizes: Which Diameter for Which Thickness
How to pick the right welding rod diameter for the metal thickness. Size chart with amperage ranges for common stick electrodes.
Welding Shielding Gas Selection Guide
Which shielding gas for MIG and TIG welding? Compare argon, CO2, 75/25 mix, tri-mix, and 98/2 by metal type, transfer mode, and cost.
Low-Hydrogen Electrode Storage and Baking Guide
Rod oven temperatures, atmospheric exposure limits, and reconditioning procedures for E7018, E7018-1, E7016, and other low-hydrogen stick electrodes.
Stainless Steel Welding: Filler Selection, Prep, and Heat Control
How to weld stainless steel correctly. Filler metal selection for 304, 316, and dissimilar joints. Interpass temps, back purging, and contamination prevention.
Aluminum Welding: Filler Selection, Cleaning, and Common Problems
How to weld aluminum with MIG and TIG. Choose between ER4043, ER5356, and ER4047 filler rods. Cleaning procedures, settings, and troubleshooting.
Welding Position Guide: 1G Through 6G Explained
All welding positions explained with rod recommendations for each. Flat (1G), horizontal (2G), vertical (3G), overhead (4G), pipe (5G/6G) positions.
Welding Defects and Causes: Diagnosis and Prevention
Identify and fix porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, cracking, slag inclusions, and other welding defects. Rod selection and technique corrections.