E7024 Welding Rod: Amperage Chart & High-Deposition Settings
High-speed drag rod for flat and horizontal fillet welds only. Runs 100 to 365 amps on AC or DCEP or DCEN, rated for flat, horizontal. Amperage chart by diameter below.
E7024 is a drag rod, you literally drag it along the joint and it fills itself. The heavy iron powder coating gives it the highest deposition rate of any common stick electrode. The catch is it only works flat and horizontal. If your work is all flat fillet welds on 1/4-inch or thicker plate and you want to move fast, this is the rod. Many welders call it a "lazy man's rod" because the technique is so simple.
What This Means in Practice
E7024 is a production rod, not a general-purpose rod. It deposits metal faster than any other common stick electrode because of its massive iron powder coating. But it only works in flat and horizontal positions. If your shop runs the same fillet weld all day on a fixture, E7024 will cut your arc time roughly in half compared to E7018.
What Amps for E7024?
| Diameter | Amperage Range |
|---|---|
| 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 100 - 145A |
| 5/32" (4 mm) | 140 - 190A |
| 3/16" (4.8 mm) | 180 - 250A |
| 7/32" (5.6 mm) | 230 - 305A |
| 1/4" (6.4 mm) | 275 - 365A |
Amperage by Individual Diameter
1/8 E7024 Amperage
Set 1/8 E7024 to 100 - 145 amps. Run AC or DCEP or DCEN. Smallest available diameter. Use on thinner material where heat input needs to stay low. Start around 123A.
5/32 E7024 Amperage
Set 5/32 E7024 to 140 - 190 amps. Run AC or DCEP or DCEN. A versatile mid-range size. Start at 165A and adjust: lower for thin material and out-of-position work, higher for flat fillets on thicker stock.
3/16 E7024 Amperage
Set 3/16 E7024 to 180 - 250 amps. Run AC or DCEP or DCEN. Sized for vertical and overhead joints. Stay in the 180-215A range and keep the puddle small.
7/32 E7024 Amperage
Set 7/32 E7024 to 230 - 305 amps. Run AC or DCEP or DCEN. Built for flat and horizontal production. Back off 10-15A from 305 if the bead crowns.
1/4 E7024 Amperage
Set 1/4 E7024 to 275 - 365 amps. Run AC or DCEP or DCEN. Largest available diameter. High deposition for flat and horizontal fillet welds on thick plate. Requires 275A minimum to run properly.
E7024 Suitability Scores
How well this electrode matches common applications. Not a quality rating. all AWS-certified electrodes meet their specification.
What Is E7024 Good For?
High-speed flat and horizontal fillet welds in production environments.
Welding plate 1/4 inch and thicker where maximum deposition matters.
Often called a drag rod because you literally drag it along the joint.
Production shops where speed is more important than position versatility.
Where E7024 Falls Short
Flat and horizontal positions only.
Cannot be used for vertical or overhead welding due to very fluid weld pool.
Requires high amperage and is not practical on smaller machines.
Not a general-purpose rod.
E7024 Under the Hood
The Arc
Heavy, draggy arc with a deep hum. The 50% iron powder coating melts in a thick stream. The arc self-adjusts to a degree because the powder fills gaps in arc length. Very high deposition.
Technique
Pure drag. Touch the rod to the plate and pull. The iron powder melts in contact with the base metal before the arc even reaches it. Speed is faster than any other stick rod. The rod practically lays itself down.
The Puddle
Very large, fluid puddle that flows flat and wide. The slag is heavy and thick. The bead is exceptionally smooth and flat with a wide wash on both sides. The slag lifts off in large sheets.
When It Goes Wrong
If the rod stalls, you are moving too slowly and the slag is piling up ahead of you. Speed up. If the bead undercuts on the edges, reduce amps. E7024 is flat and horizontal only. Do not try vertical or overhead.
Which Size E7024 to Use
| Rod Diameter | Material Thickness | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 3/16" to 3/8" | Fast flat fillets on medium plate |
| 5/32" | 3/8" to 1/2" | Production flat welding |
| 3/16" | 1/2" and up | Maximum deposition on heavy plate |
Shop Talk
E7024 exists for one reason: speed in flat position. When you have 100 feet of flat fillet to run, E7024 puts down metal faster than any other stick rod. The bead is so smooth it looks machine-made. The catch is position. Try this rod vertical and the puddle falls out of the joint like water off a table. Shops that run production flat work keep E7024 stocked. Everyone else uses E7018.
Bottom Line
This rod was made for production work. Do not force it into pipe situations. E7014 covers what E7024 cannot.
Setup & Safety Reference
How to Store E7024
Standard dry storage. Iron powder titania coating.
Preheat & Interpass Temperature for E7024
Preheat varies by base metal thickness. Non-low-hydrogen electrodes require higher preheat on thick material.
| Base Metal Thickness | Minimum Preheat (°F) |
|---|---|
| up to 3/4" | Not required |
| 3/4" to 1-1/2" | 150°F |
| 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" | 225°F |
| over 2-1/2" | 300°F |
Maximum interpass temperature: 600°F
Source: AWS D1.1 Table 3.2, Category A (non-low-hydrogen)
Fume Generation
Rating: Medium
Typical fume rate: 0.5-1.0 g/min
High iron powder content. Fume moderate due to high deposition rate.
Common Brand Names for E7024
3 manufacturers sell an E7024 product. Lincoln Electric Jetweld 1 is the one most shops stock.
| Manufacturer | Product Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Electric | Jetweld 1 | |
| Lincoln Electric | Jetweld 2 | |
| Hobart | Hobart 24 |
Full Specs
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| AWS Classification | E7024 |
| Process | Stick Welding (SMAW) |
| Polarity | AC, DCEP, DCEN |
| Positions | flat, horizontal |
| Penetration | light to medium |
| Coating Type | iron powder titania |
| Tensile Strength | 70,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | 58,000 psi |
| Elongation | 17% |
| Base Metals | carbon steel, low-alloy steel |
| Shielding Gas | Flux-shielded (no external gas) |
| Max Interpass Temp | 600°F |
| AWS Specification | AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2012 |
E7024 Questions
What is a drag rod in welding?
A drag rod is a stick electrode with such a heavy iron powder coating that you can lay it against the joint at a fixed angle and simply drag it along. The coating maintains the correct arc length automatically. E7024 is the most common drag rod. It has the highest deposition rate of any standard stick electrode but only works in flat and horizontal positions. Drag rods require minimal technique, making them popular for production fillet welds where speed matters more than position flexibility.
Can E7024 weld vertical or overhead?
No. E7024 is restricted to flat and horizontal positions only. The extremely fluid puddle and heavy slag will fall out of the joint in vertical or overhead positions. If you need an all-position 70 ksi rod, use E7018. See also: E7018 specifications, E7018 vs E7024 comparison.
Why can E7024 only be used flat and horizontal?
E7024 has extremely high iron powder content (over 50% of the coating weight). This creates a very fluid slag and weld pool that cannot be held in position against gravity. The tradeoff for the high deposition rate is limited position capability.
Where to Buy E7024
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Manufacturer Data Sheets
External links to standards bodies and manufacturers. These leave GageRef.
Reference data only. Verify all settings against manufacturer documentation and the applicable welding code before use. Amperage ranges are starting points that vary by position, fit-up, and material. Welding involves serious injury risks including burns, electric shock, fume exposure, and fire. This site does not replace proper training, certification, or employer safety procedures. See full terms of use.
Data sourced from AWS A5.1/A5.1M. Amperage ranges are approximate starting points. adjust based on position, fit-up, and material thickness. Always follow manufacturer recommendations and applicable codes.